How to stick to a morning routine with kids

We’re all in the same situation right now… working, homeschooling, taking care of the house, and our families…. and we’re doing all of it from home.
While we’ve found some awesome ways to teach the kids, like using these free educational websites for kids, having a routine makes all the difference between a good day & a chaotic day.

Why do kids need a morning routine?

Just like adults, kids need a routine. Routines help us to turn new plans into habits. It lets us know what we need to do and what is coming next. Turning a plan into a routine is the best way to make sure that your goal actually happens.

Before something becomes a habit or a routine, it takes a lot of willpower (and maybe a few cups of coffee for us) to get it done. However, once you’ve created a habit, your new routines will be automatic, for you and your kids, just like brushing your teeth before bed.

Sample Morning Routines:

This routine, made by Jessica Mchale, is a great one for kids. It gives them time to work, play, eat, and rest.

Another one that I thought was helpful is this schedule by TeenTake.

Once you come up with a good working schedule and routine, stick to it for a few weeks. That’s the best way to turn it into a strong habit.

Before long, it will feel like the new normal and you no longer have to remind yourself to do each thing along the way. It will take a lot less effort and mental pep-talk to get things done… even if your new routine includes a 30-minute run, or getting up at the crack of down to work on a goal.

How to get back on track if you skip a day

Be careful to try not to slip back into your old habits and routines that aren’t consistent with your schedule… or whatever the old habits look like in your house. It can happen so easily. Like letting the kids sleep in late one day instead of waking up to start school work… then that night they go to bed later & it happens the following day. All of a sudden, we’ve lost our routine & have to re-start it. It’s not as easy as just sticking to it every day.

If you do start to move away from your new routine, the key is to notice it early and get back on track as quickly as possible.

For example, let’s say you’ve been doing well with waking up 30 minutes earlier and going for a run before you wake the kids to start your day.

Then one day you oversleep and can’t make it out there. Or the weather turns too bad, you get sick or hurt, or something else pops up that keeps you from going on that run. 

Things will always come up, but the important thing is to choose to get back on track as soon as possible.

Most importantly, get back on track with your regular morning routine as soon as possible. How we start our morning sets the tone for how the rest of our day goes. Set a routine that you can stick to… you’ll be glad you did.