Yes there is will power and discipline to getting up in the morning when the alarm clock goes off, and not just hitting snooze. Hands up, I still sometimes still do this! But the real change for me has been what happens next...
For a long time our mornings were basically bedlam, with me rushing around trying to get myself ready, whilst shouting down the stairs to my daughter to get herself ready. Grabbing bags, packed lunches, coats, hair brush and hair bands (so I could do my daughter's hair when we got to the school gate), and hastily legging it out of the door hoping I hadn't forgotten something!
My husband (who was on packed lunch making duty) would come to the door for a kiss goodbye, which most of the time I would feel too busy and stressed to give, saying a hasty “I haven't got time for that!” as I ran out of the door.
Until one day the penny dropped - this was no way to start a morning, something had to change!
For a long time our mornings were basically bedlam, with me rushing around trying to get myself ready, whilst shouting down the stairs to my daughter to get herself ready. Grabbing bags, packed lunches, coats, hair brush and hair bands (so I could do my daughter's hair when we got to the school gate), and hastily legging it out of the door hoping I hadn't forgotten something!
My husband (who was on packed lunch making duty) would come to the door for a kiss goodbye, which most of the time I would feel too busy and stressed to give, saying a hasty “I haven't got time for that!” as I ran out of the door.
Until one day the penny dropped - this was no way to start a morning, something had to change!
So with resolution, I looked for a solution and put in place a new action plan.
The night before I would make the packed lunches (if my husband wasn't going to be available to make them in the morning), put out my daughter's breakfast things and ensure that my daughter had her bags, homework and school uniform ready for the next day.
My daughter was tasked with the responsibility of getting herself dressed into her school uniform before she went downstairs in the morning. She could then eat her breakfast whilst watching TV, but the TV went off at a set time. She then had to brush her teeth and hair and get her shoes and coat on.
This left me free to sort myself out, shower, get dressed, have breakfast and clean my teeth.
Then in a calm, orderly fashion we would get ready to leave the house and have time to give “Daddy” a kiss and cuddle before leaving.
Yes, we still sometimes have a slightly more rushed than usual morning, but on the whole this system works really well for us.
What system could you put in place to help your mornings run smoother?
The night before I would make the packed lunches (if my husband wasn't going to be available to make them in the morning), put out my daughter's breakfast things and ensure that my daughter had her bags, homework and school uniform ready for the next day.
My daughter was tasked with the responsibility of getting herself dressed into her school uniform before she went downstairs in the morning. She could then eat her breakfast whilst watching TV, but the TV went off at a set time. She then had to brush her teeth and hair and get her shoes and coat on.
This left me free to sort myself out, shower, get dressed, have breakfast and clean my teeth.
Then in a calm, orderly fashion we would get ready to leave the house and have time to give “Daddy” a kiss and cuddle before leaving.
Yes, we still sometimes have a slightly more rushed than usual morning, but on the whole this system works really well for us.
What system could you put in place to help your mornings run smoother?