“Good morning, sweetheart!” Oh, those words contain so much hope. I look at my sleeping child and gently rustle him awake, feeling well-prepared for a peaceful morning. Unfortunately, within 10 minutes, the morning madness has taken over. Someone’s yelling about a stain on a favorite shirt. I’m trying to fix a mascara smudge without messing up the rest of my makeup, and another kid is still in his pajamas.
Mornings don’t have to be this way. Sure, occasional chaos is bound to happen, but it’s not good for you, your kids, or your relationship with them. And if most of your days start with a high-intensity frenzy, it’s time for a change. Stop the morning madness with a few of these 14 ways to start the day with more peace and calm.
Set the mood.
1. Wake your kids with a kiss and hug, or at least a warm “Good morning.”
2. What percentage of your morning words are commands? Do you sound like a drill sergeant? Yes, you have to keep everyone on task, but work in the occasional “You look nice!” or “I’m proud of how hard you worked on your homework last night.”
3. Play upbeat music while everyone’s getting ready. Nothing too loud or intense—that will just add to the morning madness. But fun, positive music will put everyone in a good mood.
4. Notice when your kids are on task and offer praise. “You made your bed without being reminded! That’s great.” “You got dressed in record time!”
Prep work pays off.
5. Have yourself as ready as possible before the kids get up. It’s tough to set your alarm even 15 minutes earlier when you’re tired, but it will pay off. Not having to hunt for your own shoes while your kids can’t find theirs can lower your levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is already higher in the mornings for working moms.
6. Gather the basics before bedtime. Socks and shoes in one place. Clothes and hair accessories laid out. Lunches packed.
7. Decide what’s for breakfast the night before. Let the kids put out plates or bowls and cups to remove one extra step in the morning.
Make your kids do more.
8. Have them set their alarm clocks and get up on their own. If you have teens, this is a simple way to start nudging them toward independence and self-reliance. If you have a “no phones in the bedroom” rule, get your kids old-fashioned alarm clocks.
9. Get your kids in the habit of making sure all books, projects, and homework are in their backpacks before they go to bed. Laminate and use our Check, Check, Done printable to help them remember what needs to be done.
10. Rotate the title of “Time Keeper.” Whoever is in charge of keeping the time gives warnings: “OK, everyone, 10-minute warning! Five-minute warning!”
Keep these tricks in your back pocket.
11. Set house clocks five minutes fast. Even if you know they’re fast, and your kids know, it still keeps you moving faster.
12. Make the house a no-phone zone before school, or make the phone a privilege you earn if you’re ready early.
13. Let your children hear you bragging to your husband or someone else about how well they did getting ready in the morning.
14. Wake early enough to have quiet time, coffee, and a peek at the iMOM Minute! Not a subscriber? Click here!
What tricks do you use to calm the morning madness?
