End Morning Chaos with Morning Routines

Where's your book bag? Why is the toast on the floor? Hurry! We've missed the bus, and I'll have to drive you to school! Sound familiar? Morning chaos comes standard on some models of children with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, or executive functioning disorders. Children with these disorders often have difficulty managing the everyday tasks necessary to move through the day with ease. Many times, these children seem out-of-sync and unable to manage themselves sufficiently to get up on time, take care of morning grooming needs, get dressed, have breakfast, and board that bus on time without a struggle. They simply cannot manage without help. Developing a bedtime routine can help. Yes, a good morning starts with a good night. Try these strategies at night and in the morning, and have your child help.

• Have your child pick out his clothes for the next day and place them in an easily accessible place for the morning. Picking out the clothes ahead of time will help reduce the number of tasks your child needs to perform the next day to get ready.
• Don't forget your own tasks! Moms and dads can benefit from choosing work clothes at night too. Yes, picking out clothes for the adults (and everyone else in the family) will help. While you're picking out clothes, give them a check to make sure there are no loose buttons, no spots and tears. Check hosiery for runs, and make sure shoes are shined. And don't forget to set up that all-important coffee pot to have your brew waiting for the moment you awake.
• Consider having bath time at night to reduce demand for bathroom time in the morning. Having bath time at night frees up the shower for someone else in the morning and reduces the amount of time needed to dry hair. Plus, sleep research indicates that a warm shower or bath about an hour before bedtime can promote better sleep.
• Set the breakfast table before bedtime. Set each person's place, and put non-perishables, such as cereal, on the table. Again, this is just one more task that you will not have to perform during those precious and few morning minutes.
• In a serious rush? Choose healthy breakfast convenience foods that are microwaved or require no cooking to serve. Do you have a commute to school? Consider taking breakfast bars and spill-proof cups of milk on the drive so kids can have breakfast on the way.
• Make sure everyone gets eight hours of sleep. Well-rested children are less likely to fight getting out of bed.
• Set your alarm clock a few minutes early. Building as little as ten additional minutes in your morning schedule can make a huge difference in the pace of your morning.
• Choose the sequence of morning tasks, and have your family stick to it each day. Whether each family member has an individual routine or everyone moves in a herd, keeping the same schedule will make everything easier because everyone will know what to do and when to do it.
• Does your child get lost while brushing teeth or getting dressed? Using a timer for kids who get lost in the process can help.
• Prepare your child's backpack at night, making sure that everything she needs is present and accounted for before the next morning. Make sure homework is done and in the bag. Pack lunch money, school supplies, or other needs as well. Park the bag by the door, or even load it into your vehicle to get a jump on the morning 'out the door' rush.