Just Imagine a Calm Morning
Okay, so let’s get honest: There aren’t many people out there who are truly “morning people.” But the first few hours of the morning can set the tone for your entire day. So it’s worth doing what you can to make mornings smooth sailing for you and your family. (Hey, you just might learn to make peace with your alarm clock!)
Get a head start. Calm mornings actually start the night before. After supper, pack lunches and have kids lay out their school clothes. Give everyone their own shelf, crate, or cubbyhole by the door. Then, before bed, make sure keys, book bags, briefcases, and permission slips are all there. Come morning, the stress of last-minute running around or backtracking for forgotten items will be gone.
Steal time for yourself. Set the automatic coffeepot to brew an hour before the kids get up, so you’ll have time to not only throw in a load of laundry but also climb back in bed to enjoy your coffee and a bit of a book. As much as it may be against human nature, setting your alarm a little earlier than needed can pay off big. Most women we know say you’ll actually feel more energized all day long.
Turn off the TV. Turn on the tunes. Avoid the habit of flicking on the television first thing. It creates distraction for kids, plus more chaos for you. Instead, put on a morning mix of breakfast music—either calming tunes (George Winston, Mozart) or your favorite upbeat numbers to get you and the kids energized and in a good mood for the day.
Add a special touch. Why wait for dinner or a holiday to get out the good dishes, when you can make each morning a special occasion? Daughters in their princess stage will especially appreciate the fancy touch. Light the candles. Pick fresh flowers from the garden.
Make breakfast a family event. Keep breakfast simple but good (cereal, fresh fruit, oatmeal, raisin toast), so that kids can prepare their own and take pride in making their own mornings pleasantly delicious. But make sure to sit down together, if only for a few minutes. Once a week, plan a special breakfast treat like a parfait bar. Put out selections of yogurt, fruit, and cereal, and let everyone have fun creating their own unique tastes.
wear on you.
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