Taking stress out of your morning routine
If your mornings include multiple snooze buttons, a long time getting ready, family fights and rushing out the front door, developing a consistent evening and morning routine for your child can make for a smoother experience.
What is so important about a morning routine?
Morning routines are part of the larger school day experience and can set the tone for children and how they approach their day. A stressful morning can directly contribute to absenteeism in several ways:
- Emotional overwhelm: When mornings are chaotic, children may start the day feeling overwhelmed, anxious or frustrated. This emotional stress can make them resistant to going to school. If this happens frequently, they may associate school with these negative emotions, increasing the likelihood of school avoidance or "refusal."
- Physical symptoms from stress: Stress can manifest in physical symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, or fatigue. These symptoms, real or perceived, can lead to children staying home from school.
- Disorganization leading to tardiness: A disorganized morning routine can result in missed buses, forgotten homework, or being late to school. Repeated tardiness may cause embarrassment or anxiety for the child, leading them to avoid attending altogether on particularly chaotic days.
- Negative impact on family dynamics: When mornings are a daily source of conflict or stress, it can strain family relationships. Parents might be less motivated to push their children to go to school when everyone is frazzled, especially if there’s tension or resentment from frequent arguments.
How to create a morning routine
Start by creating a checklist of tasks for your child to complete each evening. Begin the evening routine about 30 minutes before bedtime, giving them time to wind down. Over time, these routines will help reduce morning stress and might even give you some extra time to sleep in.
Before bedtime:
- Pack school bag: Homework, library books, gym clothes, etc.
- Pack lunch
- Pick and set out clothes for the morning
- Plan hairdo for the next day
- Set alarm
- Brush teeth, hair and wash face
In the morning:
- Wake up with alarm: Teach your child that the snooze button isn’t helpful. Consider buying an alarm clock without a snooze function.
- Shower and get dressed
- Brush teeth, do hair and wash face
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Avoid the TV altogether, even if your child is early in getting ready
Routines can begin with only a couple tasks, and later have new tasks added on as needed. Remember to reinforce when your child is successful with their routines. You may choose to reward your child for consistently completing their whole routine, or for completing a task that they particularly struggle with.