how to establish a morning routine for your family

Mornings are a busy time for growing families. Children’s needs and parents’ schedules require a unique approach to planning. A morning routine can make things easier for everyone in the household. Just like at bedtime, setting a schedule creates structure and sets the family up for success.

Whether you are making breakfast, brushing your teeth or choosing from baby girl or baby boy clothes, know that there are steps you can take today to make the morning hours simple. The following tips and advice help you to remember your baby or toddler supplies, as well as how to start the day more positively. The more tricks and tools that you use as a parent, the less you will stress and the more you will accomplish. When your mornings are relaxed and easy, you and your little one will be more excited about what the day will bring!

Set an Alarm

Prevent hectic mornings by setting an alarm the night before. Decide what time your family needs to wake so they can accomplish their morning tasks and get to work or daycare. Next, set the alarm for 30 minutes before this key time of the morning. There are a few benefits to waking up early. An extra half hour will allow everyone in your family a few moments to rise gently and begin their day positively. Some babies and toddlers take a while to dress and change when they wake and others will want to rise and play before daycare. Tired parents may need a few more minutes to get up, while others will have coffee, write in a journal or stretch.

Besides these advantages, waking up at the same time every day helps to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm. When the sleep cycle is in balance, you and your kids will sleep better. You and your babies may also wake up less throughout the night. Stick to the same time every morning, even on the weekends. While it can be tempting to sleep in, the same schedule will help everyone to wake up without fuss on the weekdays.

Create a Schedule

A morning schedule will help to keep everyone on track. Set a timer between activities to let toddlers know when it is time to eat breakfast, brush their teeth or get dressed. Accomplish the essential items first, like meals and hygiene. If you have more time at the end of the morning, kids can spend it reading or playing.

Sound the alarm when you need to get in the car. Some families like having an extra bell or timer so they can let the household know that there are only a few minutes left. Leaving at the same time each day will get everyone to their destinations safely. If you find that you do not have enough time to complete certain tasks, work to adjust the schedule. Give babies and toddlers time to adapt to changes, such as waking up earlier. After you adjust, a few weeks should be all that is necessary to get the family back on track.

Work Together

Assign tasks to the adults and older children in the family. With this approach, there will be no confusion when everyone is tired on a busy morning. Make a list to share on your smartphone or place assignments on a bulletin board. Examples of essential activities include preparing breakfast, getting babies and toddlers dressed and ensuring that all bags and backpacks are ready to go. A spirit of collaboration will show your kids the importance and benefit of working together. When everyone has a task, nothing will be forgotten.

Check in with toddlers and older members of the household. Be open to feedback, which helps everyone in the family feel that they have a voice. Explain the importance of everyone having a responsibility. These lessons will help you to assign chores, solve family challenges and work together on more complicated household tasks in the future.

Pack and Organize the Night Before

Perhaps the most helpful thing you can do to create an effective morning routine is to plan as much as possible the night before. Take time to talk about the next day, pack lunches and choose the baby boy or baby girl clothes. If there are any changes to the morning schedule, you can tackle the adjustments with plenty of daylight. Choose lunch items that are easy to pull together. Sandwiches, wraps and bowls are delicious and healthy. Fun and nutritious sides include carrot sticks, apple slices and trail mix. Make the same item for everyone in the family and then place portions in reusable containers. Assign colors or write names so nothing is misplaced.

If you are pressed for time in the evenings, there are plenty of ways to keep your baby or toddler stylish. Some infant and kid clothing items will make it easier to create outfits. Baby bodysuits and the toddler Gerber® Onesies® bodysuits are available in long sleeve and short sleeve styles. While they make diaper changes easier, they are also simple to match with a variety of bottoms. Leggings, joggers and shorts all look adorable with bodysuits in different prints and colors. You can also pair your bodysuit with denim, overalls or skirts. Purchase accessories like headbands, caps and baby shoes in neutrals or complementary color schemes. When everything matches, you can design effortlessly precious outfits in seconds.

Have a Solid Bedtime Routine

A bedtime routine is a perfect companion to a positive and productive morning. A solid night of sleep will also make it easier to get ready. Evening schedules have many of the same benefits that morning ones do. The Sleep Foundation says that a family bedtime routine will lead to better sleep, mood and cognition. While everyone will rest more soundly, they will also perform more successfully at school, work or daycare.

Go to bed at the same time each night and create a relaxing schedule to wind down for bed. This may include a warm bath, reading stories or feeding. The right combination of activities will help children to wake up less during the night and feel more rested during the day. These benefits extend to parents, who will get more sleep to help improve their mood and memory.

Starting the Day Right

When you take the time to set a morning schedule and plan the night before, getting ready will be much easier on everyone in the family. Instead of rushing around, you will feel confident about accomplishing all of your tasks and getting everyone into the car. The calm you feel will help you to be more poised throughout your day. Your kids will also have a better experience. Every family’s schedule is unique, but a few tried and true principles will take the guesswork out of your morning. The result will be a happier and more positive family.