Stressed from all the chaos of becoming a parent? Does trying to maintain a schedule in your hectic days have you wanting to rip your hair out? Try these tips and see how a week or two of fallowing this simple schedule can help transform your chaotic stress-filled mornings into organized family living.
Not everyone is a morning person, but for the sake of your child's health, future, and overall well being you must train yourself to get up relatively early, everyday, and mentally just accept it. There's no use in waking up and being grumpy with your family because you didn't get to sleep in.
Wake Children Before 9am
Before 9:00am is a good time to wake your child or children up. Having a good morning routine (and actually sticking to it) is the key to a successful morning. Family breakfast teaches good eating habits as well as routine. Routine is needed to keep kids organized and focused throughout the day. I'm not saying you have to become Rachel Ray and create a feast every morning. A few slices of toast and O.J. will do if you please.
The important factor is positive interaction with each other to start each morning in a fabulous mood. Interaction of course is interaction. Not just staring sleepily at each other from across the table in complete silence. Now is the perfect time to get your child to open up to you about their daily plans and scheduled activities. Discuss the day's overview together. Make sure there is good communication. There is no confusion with times and rides. Double check to see their homework is completed and put in their backpack ready to go. You don't have to do it for them but see that what needs to be done gets done. Your child's organizational skills come directly from you. They will only benefit from being 100% sure everyday they are prepared.Play Close Attention to Their Personal Hygiene
Another important part of your child's schedule to pay close attention to is the personal hygiene portion of the morning. Some kids will go a week without showering if you let them. As their guardian it's your responsibility to see that they are clean and presentable for everyday life. See that their hair is brushed and styled and teeth are brushed. Its not only vital to their health, it greatly affects their self-confidence.Structure is Essential
For younger kids, structure in their daily schedule is essential in the development of a healthy mind. Set a different activity out for them everyday. Whether it be coloring books, finger-paints, cut and paste activities, play dough, the possibilities are endless. Help expand your child's creativity. Lunch should be served around the same time everyday. Between twelve and twelve thirty is a good time. Their meal should consist of at least three different varieties of food. Personally, I pick a fruit, a vegetable, and a main meat or pasta dish. And sometimes I'll throw in a dessert or buttered roll too. Try to stay away from drinks with high sugar content too. 100% juice and Milk are the best beverages to give your child.
Correct Bad Habits In Front of Children
If you're not a healthy eater, it's extremely important you try and correct your bad habits in front of your children. Write out a list of all the different fruits and vegetables you can think of. Now just go down the list and prepare a different each day. By ensuring introduction to a variety of tastes you are helping to develop their sense of individuality.Naptime is Crucial
Naptime can be one of the hardest parts of the day with a toddler. But if you take to time to do it right it can be your most relaxing part of the day. Make sure the house is quiet and they have a designated place to lie if not their own bed. The easiest way to wind them down is to read a story. While it can be frustrating and not all kids will pay attention, repetition will eventually lead to their participation. Free time is especially important to a child's day. This is when they really get to explore and use their imaginations; when they grow into little people. Dinner Together
Dinner together is even more important than breakfast. Now is the time to really bond with your children. Staying involved in their life's on a personal level will keep them headed in the right direction. And it will create a healthy relationship between the two of you. Everyone needs their own duty at dinner. Whether it be setting the table or helping with cleanup everyone needs a chore to help gain a sense of responsibility from a young age. Chore Charts Are Helpful
Chore charts and wheels are really helpful for families with three or more children.
Being stern about your child's bedtime is extremely important. Try and put them to bed at the same time every night possible. Not only does their health benefit, but also they'll be well rested and less likely to throw tantrums throughout the day. Have the same routine for bedtime as you do when you wake up. Get dressed, brush teeth, etc.
Of course you don't have to fallow this schedule to a T, you don't even have to fallow it everyday. But make an effort to influence your child and help mold them into the type of person you want them to become. I outlined this schedule and posted it on my refrigerator. I try my best to fallow it everyday. It's great to have control over my days, allow myself the maximum alone time I need and have smart healthy kids too.
8-8:30 WAKE UP!
8:45-9 Breakfast!
(9-9:15) Cleanup
9:30-10 morning routine
10-11:30 Intellectual activities
(11:30-11:45) Cleanup
12-12:30-lunch time
12:30 story time
12:45-3:00 naptime
3:30-5:30 free play
5:30-5:45 cleanup get ready for dinner
6:00 dinner
6:30-6:45 cleanup
7-8 homework hour and quiet play
8:15-8:30 bedtime routine and story
8:30 Lights out
