Sample Morning Routine
So what’s the secret to smooth mornings, take offs that are timely and kids who are ready and excited about their day? A morning routine that is simple and takes into account all members of the family.
Anna and Jack have two kids, ages 5 & 8. Dad leaves for work at 6:30 and is home by 3:30 to help with the afternoon routine. They don’t all follow the same exact schedule together as a team, but they get through the morning on their individual agendas. And they do it daily. And it works because everyone knows what they are supposed to do from the moment they wake up!
- 6:00 wake up
- 6:10 Coffee with husband
- 6:30 Shower and dressed
- 7:00 Checks email and organizes day
- 7:15 Helps Rachel check the weather
- 7:20 Breakfast
- 7:35 Helps Rachel unload the Dishwasher
- 7:45 Goes back to bedroom and stays out of the way
- 7:55 Turns on music so Rachel knows its time to leave in 5 minutes
- 8:00 Goes out to car and leaves – whether kids are in the car or not.
- 8:05 Henry & Anna have agreed that on the ride to school, they will not listen to the radio – they will visit. Mom supports Henry’s natural rhythm and “allows” him to sleep in and Henry agrees not to listen to the radio and chat with his mom.
- 7:00 Rise and Shine to Tinkerbell Alarm Clock
- 7:15 Down the stairs – checks the weather
- 7:25 Breakfast
- 7:35 Helps mom unload the dishwasher from the night before
- 7:40 Pack Backpack & snack for preschool
- 7:45 Brush teeth – before getting dressed because sometimes she dribbles on her shirt when she spits
- 7:50 Back upstairs to get dressed and relax
Rachel is particularly organized and created a routine that allows her to read quietly in her room for 5 to 10 minutes. She and her mom have agreed upon a signal that it is 5 minutes to take off and Rachel comes down the steps – puts on her coat and boots/shoes/sandals and heads to the bus/to the car.
- 7:45 Bolts out of bed
- 7:50 Down stairs fully dressed
- 7:55 Grabs a piece of fruit or poptart for breakfast
- 8:00 Packs backpack complete with travel toothbrush and toothpaste and Listerine breath strips
- 8:05 Runs out the door putting shoes on and carrying family garbage to the garage
Henry mashes his morning together. Originally, mom and dad tried to get Henry up earlier, but this led to fighting. Too much time in the morning, goes against Henry’s natural rhythm.
If you would like more information on training children, please check out Chapter 3 of the Parenting On Track™ Home program.
