In our simplicity parenting book club we were talking about having simple routines to make mornings easier. It is hard to not feel frantic trying to get kids out the door to school.
I told them I have a simple goal
photo credit: achichi
“Don’t yell at the kids before school.”
Apparently I am totally fine yelling at them after school. 😉
Somehow I feel if I can send them off to school with a calm loving demeanor, it can really help set the tone for the day. I also find if I can do this, the rest of the day once they get home goes better too!
One of the keys to not yelling is to have everyone get up 10 minutes earlier then you are right now. 10 minutes is huge.
I also have different systems for each boy to help them know what they need to do in the morning.
- Thing 3 uses Accountable Kids
- Thing 2 I have written out what his tasks are in the morning on a notecard and he likes to reference that.
- Thing 1 needs one word verbal prompts scattered throughout the morning. Teeth, Shoes, Lunch, Trumpet. He wanders around between things and I say the next item. Shoes and he wanders over and gets them on.
But I think I have only yelled once so far this school year. When I got up late and had to take a shower. So I ran up to take one while they were eating breakfast, thinking they would continue to get ready. Note to self: Do not do THAT again!
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I really appreciate this as a teacher because I have had to deal with many crying, sad kids who had a negative experience before school and it affects the rest of their day.
Oh, that makes me sad for the kids.