Creating a School-at-Home Routine to Calm the Morning Chaos
Mornings can be a whirlwind. Believe me, my family has had our share of morning meltdowns. Getting an entire family up, dressed, fed and out the door by 8 a.m. can be a recipe for disaster. Of course, that was pre-COVID and social distance learning. We may not be rushing out the door in the mornings anymore, but making sure we’re online (and presentable) in time for class is just as important—and maybe even a bit more complicated.
With many schools in limbo—still practicing distance learning, but promising in-person classes soon—it’s up to us as parents to ensure our kids are prepared for the school day and set up to be successful. Having an organized morning sets the tone for, gives structure to, and sets expectations for the rest of the day. The morning run-up is even more important since a significant part of their normal school routine has already been disrupted.
Typically, when our kids are actually going to school, there are built in transitions throughout the day. Mornings are spent getting ready and eating breakfast, then they (physically) transition to school; and once school is out, they transition back home for homework, play time, and family time. With everything now taking place at home, kids still need those transitions. Largely, the school day’s routine will be dictated by their school’s or teacher’s schedule, so what you can really be focusing on is creating a solid morning routine.
The Importance of Morning Routines for Kids
A morning routine is all about prioritizing the tasks that’ll keep our kids healthy and get them ready for a successful day. However, having a predictable schedule doesn’t mean you have to live by a rigid clock; it’s more about creating positive habits for your kids and setting a consistent expectation for how mornings play out.
I can’t promise that creating a routine is going to calm all the chaos in your house, but sticking to the routine will mean the morning meltdowns won’t occur as often. The more consistent you are with your morning routines, the easier, calmer, and more productive your mornings will go. Your children will get into the flow of what needs to happen, and the better they’ll understand your expectations of them for the morning—there will be less stress all around.
The benefits of a consistent morning routine go far beyond a less chaotic morning too. Setting a schedule and expectations for your children in the morning will help them respect the schedules and expectations set by their school and teacher. The more they’re able to stick to a routine at home, the more they'll be able to go along with their lessons and transitions at school—even if, or, especially if, school is currently at home.
Setting Up a Morning Routine for Children
Morning routines will differ based on your child’s age and your family’s needs, but for the most part, they’ll look something like:
Get Dressed
Breakfast
Brush Teeth
Socks + Shoes
Backpack
[You can get a FREE, colorful and downloadable ‘Morning Routine’ print out by clicking here!]
Once you create a morning routine for your child, go through all of the steps with them. Pay close attention to how the routine works the first few days after starting. This will help you identify any glitches; you may need to re-order some of the steps to keep things running smooth.
A successful morning routine sets children up for a successful school day. You can build on it by mapping out a routine for the rest of the day too, implementing activity transitions where necessary (like between the times of day when school’s in session and school’s out).
Tips for Sticking to a Morning Routine
Creating and sticking to a morning routine will take some patience at first. So here are a few tips for making sure it happens:
Make the schedule with your kids. Ask for their input. It’ll help them feel like they have some control over what’s expected of them and will help them buy into it. Ask, “Let’s think about some things we do when we get ready in the morning…”
Post your child’s routine somewhere they’ll see it often. They’ll need a constant reminder of what they’re supposed to do next during the first few weeks of this new routine. I would even encourage a “What’s next?” to let your child think rather than telling them what to do. Download a FREE printable morning routine here.
Be flexible. There will be days where your child doesn’t make it all the way through their routine before school starts; that’s okay, just reset and try again the next day. You may also need to make adjustments from time to time, and I also encourage going through the routine with them in the beginning.
Above all, as your kids navigate their new routines, remember to have a lot of patience, a little empathy, and maybe even a sense of humor. Do you have a morning routine set up already? What’s it look like and how’s it going so far? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t forget your ‘Morning Routine’ download! Get it here!