It’s 7:25 a.m. and May Jennings is feeling stressed. Her husband is away for work, and she has to get her three kids, ages 2, 5, and 8 up, fed, dressed, and off to school or daycare, and then get to her office on time. She has been helping her toddler and five-year-old for the last half hour and every 5 minutes shouting into Freddy’s room, “we need to be out the door at 7:30,” “did you brush your teeth,” and “remember to pack your PE uniform?” To each of these commands, Freddy shouted back, “Got it, Mom.” At 7:26 a.m., May goes into Freddy’s room and finds him in his pajamas, backpack contents strewn over the room, and bathroom routine obviously not done. “Freddy!!!! Get ready now!!!” May shouted. Freddy looked up red-faced and made his way to the bathroom, with his mother trailing behind, shouting at him. If this sounds like your family’s morning routine, you may need help. Experienced parent coaches can help you provide more structure to your family’s life and provide a stronger sense of calm. At HabitCoach, we have parent coaches who can help you establish a morning routine and solve other thorny parenting issues.
How Executive Function Issues Require Structure
Executive dysfunction can make it difficult for a child to follow a morning routine because it affects their ability to plan, organize, and manage time. Their brains are working double time to remember the steps involved, such as getting dressed, brushing their teeth, or packing their backpack. This can lead to missed tasks or taking too long on one activity, which can throw off the entire morning schedule. If your child starts the morning feeling frustrated, that stress can ripple through the rest of the day, affecting not only their mood and performance but also creating tension for those around them. As a parent of a child with these issues, the responsibility is on you to provide structure, starting with morning routine.
Morning Routine Strategies for Your Child
Building habits takes time, so it is better to start with simple steps that your child can easily follow until the routine becomes part of their daily life.
1. Reflect on What’s Working and What’s Not
Start by identifying what’s going well in your current routine and what needs improvement. Do they need to be waking up 10 minutes earlier to avoid the rush? Understanding these factors can help you design a routine that works better for your child. Remember, the routine should be something that your child can sustain in the long run.
2. Simplify the Routine
Reduce the number of steps in the morning by preparing the night before. Have your child pack their backpack, lay out their clothes, and set out breakfast items to eliminate unnecessary morning tasks. The less things your child needs to worry about before leaving for school, the better they sleep at night. This way, they are less likely to panic in the morning.
3. Provide a Visual Schedule
Create a checklist or visual chart outlining the sequence of morning tasks. This can help your child understand what needs to be done and in what order, making it easier to stay on track. This strategy is particularly useful for younger children or during the start of the school year when routines are still being established.
4. Set Multiple Alarms
Use alarms as reminders for different parts of the morning routine. For example, you could set the first alarm to the time your child must wake up. The second alarm can be set five minutes before they need to leave, reminding them to finish breakfast and brush their teeth. Finally, a third alarm can signal that it’s time to head out the door and leave for school.
Limit Distractions
Create a phone-free or screen-free zone during the morning routine to help them stay focused on completing their tasks. For younger children, this might mean keeping the TV off until they’ve finished getting ready or removing toys from their immediate area to prevent them from losing track of time. For teens, establish boundaries around phone or device use by setting clear rules, such as no texting, social media, or gaming until they’re entirely ready to leave.
1. Follow a Consistent Sequence
Keep the order of tasks the same each morning so the routine becomes automatic over time, much like following a well-rehearsed dance. Repetition helps children remember what to do without constant prompting.
2. Get Good Quality Sleep
One of the most significant factors affecting a child's ability to establish a good morning routine is the quality of their sleep. Poor or insufficient sleep can make waking up challenging, leaving them feeling sluggish and irritable. To help your child get the rest they need, lock down a consistent bedtime routine and limit screen time in the evening, as screens can interfere with their ability to wind down and fall asleep. Prioritizing healthy sleep habits sets the foundation for smoother, more productive mornings.
What Does HabitCoach Do?
HabitCoach provides personalized strategies to help your child build and maintain effective routines. We offer organization and time management tools that make mornings smoother. If you need support building healthy habits for your child, HabitCoach can guide your family toward more productive and less stressful mornings.
