4 Ways to Motivate Your Child in the Morning
by Arianne Cohen
Getting out the door in the morning is hard enough without worrying about whether or not your kids have brushed their teeth or can't find anything to wear. Streamline yours-and their-routine by learning how to deal with common setbacks so you can all get out the door on time.
Problem: I always end up begging my kid to get dressed when we're already late.
Solution: Have kids dress first.
For those who have bathed the night before, create the expectation that they'll get dressed before they leave their room. Most kids can't wait to get to the bathroom-so they'll be in their school clothes a minute after waking up.
Problem: My kid gets distracted.
Solution: Press play.
Have kids make music playlists that they like, says Santa Rosa, California, personal organizer Grace Brooke. This is perfect for younger kids or those with a hazy sense of time-they'll know that song #3 means they should be dressed and downstairs. This will help them learn to manage their own time.
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Problem: I don't have time to help my younger children do all their morning chores.
Solution: Laminate.
Create an illustrated, laminated set of index cards with morning activities, so children can get ready independently. "My daughter is 6, and we made cards with a girl getting dressed, brushing her hair and making her bed," says Brooke. "She flips through the cards and knows she needs to do each thing."
Problem: I end up in a fight with my son three mornings a week.
Solution: Stay neutral-reacting is time-consuming.
Instead, realize that cranky children are just expressing frustration. Your response: State clearly what the expectation is and what the child needs to do. Example: "I know you're tired and crabby and rushing. Take a deep breath, and please sit down and eat breakfast."
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A.M. Pet Tips
Combine your morning exercise with your pet's-studies show that both walkers and runners are much more likely to keep at it with a canine pal. Even if your dog is too petite or old for your morning miles, she can join you outside while you stretch or cool down around the block. As for feeding your pet, the smartest and most efficient way to feed dogs and cats is to "get rid of their food bowls, and feed them from durable rubber toys that are stuffed with their normal food ration," says Andrea Arden, a New York City pet trainer. "That way, your pet is expending mental and physical energy 'hunting' for toys." And it's a timesaver too, because you can prefill a couple at a time and put them in the fridge. Some to try: For dry food, Busy Buddy Twist 'n Treat or StarMark Bob-A-lot; for wet food, a Kong or Tux Toy ($8.49-$20.99; Amazon.com).
Arianne Cohen is a contributing editor to Woman's Day, and author of Help, It's Broken!: A Fix-It Bible for the Repair-Impaired.
Article originally appeared on WomansDay.com:
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