Planning for the day to start well.
Hopefully, your days begin softly and quietly with a cuddle in bed with your sweet little ones. Some days, the mornings can get away from you, from being woken too early, to the rush that can overtake everyone as you try to find socks and shoes before getting out the door. This can derail a slow and peaceful morning.
Starting the day with a calm, gentle routine can help anxiety levels stay low, keep our nervous system regulated and allow us to enter the day in good spirits.
Having a bit of a plan can (sometimes) help us to have good mornings, and this can have follow-on effects for having a good day.
A consistent morning routine can be one thing that helps everyone know what is happening and what is expected of them. This way, there are no surprises that might be upsetting or a rush to find last-minute items.
Are there some mornings that have worked better for your household than other mornings?
What was the difference? - try to add it into your regular routine.
Is eating breakfast all together at the table something you want to aim for?
Do you like having some of your children's (or your own) favourite music playing?
Is having a kitchen dance and a laugh something you try to do?
Or, do you save some funny stories or jokes for sharing while you’re eating?
There are a few ways you can make your regular mornings feel nice, rather than stressful, and this will be different for each household. It’s worth thinking about, trying to include more of the good things and seeing what works.
Helping the mornings come together by organising a few things the night before could include;
Going to bed early.
Laying out clothes for the next day. If your child is old enough, you might be able to do this together.
Considering what the day ahead will hold - is it going to be a swimming or a library day - do you need to pack a change of clothes, or find books?
Preparing snacks or a packed lunch. Fill up water bottles and have everything ready to go.
And, then there’s thinking about distractions or what can make the morning harder.
On days when stress levels rise, tears come easily or crankiness overtakes, what has happened to make mornings get off track for your family?
Is there something that repeatedly derails your mornings? (it’s always the socks, where are they?!)
Are electronic devices leading to distraction, disconnection and losing time? Do these need to be on in the morning, or can you avoid them altogether?
Are dogs escaping? (I find that really stressful!) Are there accidental milk spills? Are library books hiding under the bed? There are all sorts of things that can send the day off kilter. Think of a few of them and see if there’s any way you can work around them. (Me: train dog)
And… for the beautiful part of the morning… are there some words to say to each other that lead to good feelings, positive self-image, rested nervous systems and a good day ahead?
