Morning Madnesss - 17 Ways To Get Up And Out

From the moment the alarm goes off, the pressure is on. It’s usually a race against time as many parents rush to get both themselves and their kids out the door. But there has got to be a better way. Bound and determined to calm the chaos in my own home, I sought out advice from those in the know.

Following is a collection of tried and true tips from fellow mothers:

• Hold a family meeting. Sit down together and discuss what’s working and what’s not.

• Set an age-appropriate, non-negotiable bedtime for each child – and stick to it. A well rested child is always more cooperative.

• Making lunches the night before eliminates last minute panic. If your nights are too busy, plan ahead by assembling a loaf of pre-made sandwiches and individually packaged snacks on the weekends. That way, everyone can quickly grab what they want come morning. And, getting kids to make their own lunches ensures more food will end up in their tummies than in the school garbage.

• Wake first - eat, shower and get dressed before everyone else. Savor the calm before the storm. Underfoot toddlers often add to morning chaos. Tackle wee ones last.

• Offer wake-up calls for young ones at close range – instead of shouting from the bottom of the stairs, wake up your daughter by gently calling her name, rubbing her back or singing a favourite song.

• Make older siblings responsible by having them ‘rise’ to their own occasion. Cure alarm-resistant kids by placing their alarm clock (with the volume turned up) on the opposite side of the room.

• Set individual goals. If your child wakes up without requiring additional prompting from you daily for a week, reward her with a special outing, meal or her choice of a movie rental.

• Encourage family member to bathe the night before or come up with a bathroom schedule so everyone gets showered and out on time.

• Get everyone in the habit of setting out their clothes (right down to their socks, underwear and accessories) the night before.

• Prevent an early morning scavenger hunt by making sure backpacks as well as coats and footwear are near the door.

• Offer frequent reminders to young dawdlers. If you’re busy in the kitchen and your child's room is upstairs have her dress nearby where you can supervise while you work.

• You may have to break ’fast’ but when possible - do it together. Turn off the radio or TV and put aside the newspaper. (If you want to enjoy the paper or your morning coffee in peace, get up 20 minutes earlier.)

• An effective way to encourage cooperation from kids in the morning is to promise time together once they are ready. Add 10 to 15 extra minutes to your usual routine and make sure your child receives your undivided attention during this time.

• Be reasonable with your expectations. Kids can only do what they are capable of. Issuing one task at a time is often the best way to go.

• I know it’s hard, but try not to nag. After telling your child specifically what she is expected to do, walk away. According to experts, children must learn that resistance does not earn parental attention. If a child has not been cooperative, use the extra 10-15 minutes and get her/him ready with as little fuss as possible. Do not scold or chat; just do what is necessary to leave on time.

• Positive messages like “We need to be out the door in ten minutes”, over negative comments like “You’re going to be late again”, gives an older child the opportunity to solve her own problem and figure out what she needs to do to get ready.

• Praise cooperation and effort.

• Set the right tone for the day. Panic is contagious. If you’re stressed, kids will pick up on it. And, losing it does nothing to speed things along. Take a deep breath and look at the big picture. So what if you’re five minutes late once in a while - it’s not the end of the world.