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Episode 2102:
In this episode, host Greg Audino presents an article by Adina Soclof, focusing on creating a stress-free morning school routine for both parents and children. Adina shares five simple strategies, including maintaining a regular schedule, practicing positivity, avoiding anger, communicating with children about their needs, and empowering them to own their schedules. The article emphasizes the importance of building routines to establish a less stressful home environment.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://parentingsimply.com/stress-free-morning-school-routine/
Quotes to ponder:
"Being positive in the morning doesn’t come naturally to most of us. But give it a try; it will make a huge difference in your home."
"Instead of yelling, 'Just get out of bed already!' say something like, 'Looks like you are having one of those mornings. It can be a real challenge to get out of bed. Let me know if you need my help.'"
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[00:01:00] This is Optimal Relationships Daily, Episode 2102.
[00:01:04] How to create a stress-free morning school routine by Adina Sokloff of ParentingSimple.com
[00:01:11] Hello everybody, I'm Greg Audino and this is Optimal Relationships Daily, the podcast on which I
[00:01:17] read to you from different blogs that cover relationships and parenting and then offer my commentary on them every single day.
[00:01:23] And today we'll hear another article from longtime regular contributor Adina Sokloff.
[00:01:28] This one focuses on how to ensure a smoother start to your kid's school day.
[00:01:33] So let's hear what she's got for us as we optimize your life.
[00:01:40] How to create a stress-free morning school routine by Adina Sokloff of ParentingSimple.com
[00:01:48] School mornings are often one of the most stressful times of day for both parents and kids.
[00:01:54] I know when my kids have finally left for the day, I take a huge breath of relief and then spend a few minutes settling myself in the quiet and calm.
[00:02:02] Craziest things are, they actually used to be a lot worse.
[00:02:06] I'd spend most mornings stressed, yelling and even bargaining with my kids just to get them out of bed.
[00:02:12] Lots of patients and organizations were in order to help transform our school mornings into a more positive routine.
[00:02:19] Five simple strategies to help create a stress-free morning school routine.
[00:02:24] Number one, maintain a regular schedule.
[00:02:28] Kids cope much better when they have a regular routine.
[00:02:31] My kids and I agree upon a reasonable bedtime and then it's up to me to enforce it.
[00:02:36] I don't allow very much wiggle room around my kid's sleep schedule.
[00:02:40] Even if they put up a fuss about it, ultimately everyone is happier and less whiny when they've gotten that much needed sleep.
[00:02:47] This goes for me too. It can be so tempting to stay up late after the kids have gone to bed,
[00:02:52] but I know I'll pay the price with more fatigue in the morning, so I make sure to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
[00:02:59] Number two, practice being positive.
[00:03:02] Note, I said, practice.
[00:03:05] Being positive in the morning doesn't come naturally to most of us, but give it a try.
[00:03:10] It will make a huge difference in your home.
[00:03:12] Think about it. Which sounds better?
[00:03:15] Time to get up. You better not be late again. What's taking you so long?
[00:03:20] Or this?
[00:03:22] Good morning, kiddo. It's 705 and it's sunny.
[00:03:25] Can't wait to see you at breakfast. Your favorite pants are cleaned and ready for you to wear.
[00:03:30] Number three, don't get angry.
[00:03:33] I'm just like any other parent.
[00:03:35] I can get pretty frustrated when my kids stay in bed until the last possible minute,
[00:03:40] but blowing up never helps.
[00:03:42] To keep things in perspective, I try to remember that even as an adult,
[00:03:46] I often don't like to get out of bed the minute the alarm goes off.
[00:03:50] Extending grace to your kids will help to keep the anger to a minimum.
[00:03:54] So instead of yelling, just get out of bed already.
[00:03:57] I try to say something like this.
[00:04:00] Looks like you're having one of those mornings.
[00:04:02] It can be a real challenge to get out of bed.
[00:04:05] Let me know if you need my help.
[00:04:07] Number four, talk to them.
[00:04:10] I know that after the alarm goes off,
[00:04:12] I need at least 10 minutes to come to.
[00:04:15] I'll try to open the shade so I can see the sun before I actually pull myself out of bed.
[00:04:20] Everyone has little tricks that they use to get themselves going.
[00:04:23] I try to help my kids think of what can work for them.
[00:04:26] Brainstorm with your kids and see what ideas you can come up with.
[00:04:30] What will help you get out of bed?
[00:04:32] Do you want the light on? Well, that help you wake up?
[00:04:35] Do you want me to just leave your door open so you can hear a little bit of noise?
[00:04:39] Do you think that could help?
[00:04:41] Would you like the window open? Maybe some fresh air will help.
[00:04:44] Sometimes a shower does the trick. What do you think?
[00:04:47] Maybe your child won't like any of these,
[00:04:50] but perhaps down the line they will remember these ideas
[00:04:53] and will have some strategies that will help them have an easier time getting out of bed in the morning.
[00:04:58] And number five, teach them to own their schedule.
[00:05:03] Many parents put themselves in charge of their child's schedule,
[00:05:06] but kids want to have some control over their time.
[00:05:09] They like to make their own decisions.
[00:05:11] This is an important part of the maturity process.
[00:05:14] Teach them how to own their schedule and you might be surprised at the results.
[00:05:18] What do you think would be a good time for you to wake up in the morning?
[00:05:21] How much time do you think you need in order to get out of bed,
[00:05:24] get dressed, eat breakfast, and walk to the bus?
[00:05:28] Once you figure it out, you can work out a good schedule for yourself.
[00:05:31] Or we can do it together. Let me know.
[00:05:34] If the schedule that you have both decided on is not working,
[00:05:37] you can always say,
[00:05:39] I know you've been having trouble getting out of bed in the morning.
[00:05:42] What do you think you need to do in order to make it easier for you?
[00:05:45] Mornings with kids can definitely be stressful,
[00:05:48] but learning to create and then implement a reliable morning school routine
[00:05:53] will go a long way towards establishing a less stressful home.
[00:06:01] You just listened to the post titled,
[00:06:03] How To Create a Stress-Free Morning School Routine
[00:06:07] by Adina Sockloff of ParentingSimply.com
[00:06:10] and I'll be back right after this with my commentary.
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[00:08:40] Alright, and a big thank you to Adina for yet another great post.
[00:08:44] Building those routines can be difficult, but certainly worth it in the end.
[00:08:49] Especially if you're able to get right back to them, should there be any unexpected disruptions.
[00:08:53] Now, if I might add one more item to this list, something that would make the creation of any routine easier,
[00:09:00] it would be to provide a sense of reward for those involved, namely your kids in this one.
[00:09:05] This might mean letting them choose the music and the car on the way to school,
[00:09:09] or perhaps letting them pick one item to put in their lunch.
[00:09:13] Something along those lines.
[00:09:15] If there's something that they enjoy in there, something that makes them feel as though they are calling the shots
[00:09:20] and that they're at least involved in the process as a peer,
[00:09:24] they're likely to be more excited and more cooperative when it comes to both the execution
[00:09:29] and the formation of the routine itself, which Adina touched on in the last bullet point there.
[00:09:34] So think about how you can integrate that feeling of reward for them.
[00:09:38] Maybe that even means letting them choose what the reward will be.
[00:09:41] Time to get going for now, though, folks.
[00:09:43] As always, I thank you for tuning in today and helping to make another episode possible.
[00:09:47] Have a wonderful Friday if you're listening in real time,
[00:09:50] and be sure to listen along with us again tomorrow, where your optimal life awaits.