How to Create a Calm Morning Routine for a Stress-Free School Day

Getting children up and out the door for school or ready to start the homeschool day in a calm and timely manner can be a real challenge for parents and foster carers alike. However, establishing a consistent morning routine can help make school day mornings less stressful for the whole household. Here are some tips for creating a calm morning routine that sets children up for a positive and focused school day.

Set a Reasonable Wake Up Time

Choose a wake up time that allows enough time for your child to get fully ready without having to rush. Build in extra time if you have a child who is slower moving in the morning. For most school age children, waking up 60-90 minutes before you need to leave the house is reasonable. Avoid the tendency to keep hitting snooze, which disrupts sleep cycles. Use an alarm clock they can see to help wake them.

Also consider when they go to bed. Ensure they are getting enough sleep by setting an appropriate bedtime. Sleep guidelines recommend 9-12 hours per night at school age. Aim for an earlier bedtime if mornings are a struggle.

Help Them Wind Down Before Bed

Having a relaxing bedtime routine sets them up for better sleep. Children you foster with Foster Care Associates Scotland may have particular challenges settling at night due to trauma, so extra soothing activities can help. Aim for quiet, low-light activities in the hour before bed like reading, listening to calm music, or taking a bath. Turn off any screens well before bed, as the blue light inhibits melatonin production.

Have Morning Materials Ready the Night Before

Mornings go smoother when you’re prepared. Have backpacks, coats, shoes and anything else they need by the door. Ensure clothes are picked out or even laid out the night before. Prepare lunches and pack bags except for perishable items. Setting things up ahead of time prevents rushing around looking for missing items and puts you on track to have a stress free morning routine.

Offer Limited Clothing Choices

Keep morning choices simple by limiting clothing options. Allow them to pick between 2-3 outfits the night before so they don’t become overwhelmed with decisions first thing in the morning. If you have foster children new to your home, even fewer choices may be better as they adjust to new surroundings.

Keep Mornings Simple

Prioritize essential tasks like getting dressed, eating breakfast and brushing teeth. Skip anything too time-consuming like play, crafts or TV. Have realistic expectations for what you can fit in. Some kids may need extra support sticking to the routine and avoiding distractions, so provide gentle reminders.

Build in Time for Breakfast

Breakfast helps replenish their bodies and brains after sleep. But eating first thing can be a challenge, especially for kids who wake up hungry and those prone to morning nausea. Allow plenty of time for eating so they don’t have to rush. Keep quick but balanced options on hand like yogurt with fruit, whole grain toast, cereal or egg sandwiches.

Adjust the Schedule Gradually

If your current routine isn’t working well, make changes in small increments of 15-30 minutes. For example, start by adjusting bedtime and then move breakfast and other tasks slightly earlier in small time chunks. This allows a new routine to be established without shocking their systems. Stick with changes for 1-2 weeks for them to become habit.

Avoid Screen Time

It can be tempting to let kids watch a show or play on a tablet to keep them occupied while getting ready. But screen time first thing can make them more hyperactive and inattentive. Children may also have difficulty transitioning from the stimulation of screens to the school mindset.

Make Time for Play and Connection

While you need to keep mornings task-focused, it’s also important for kids to feel connected before parting for the day. Build in at least a few minutes for one-on-one play or reading together. This quality time provides stability. Offer plenty of hugs, words of affection and chances to share something that excites or concerns them.

Have a Visual Schedule

Post a morning timeline with pictures representing key activities in order. Review this schedule together and walk through what will happen each morning. Regular routines and predictability help children feel safe. Refer back to the schedule to keep mornings on track. Update it as the routine changes.

Stay Calm in the Face of Meltdowns

Despite your best efforts, the mornings may still sometimes be met with resistance. Toddler meltdowns, pre-teen stalling and teenage defiance can throw off your routine. Do your best to stay calm and patient. For foster children and those with past trauma, morning can trigger memories and separation anxiety. Offer empathy, soothe tantrums, provide choices between two options and avoid escalating situations.

Creating a consistent, calm morning routine takes some planning and effort, but it pays off over time with less chaotic, more cooperative school day starts. Building in structure, predictability and quality time ensures kids start off on the right foot. Adjust to individual needs and stick with changes to help new habits form. With time, your mornings will become a source of stability rather than stress!

Forest Rose

Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, &  Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!