School is back in swing, which means that mornings may be a little more stressful. Just one “blip” in your morning routine and before you know it you feel like you are running around like a crazy person trying to get your child to school and yourself to work on time! Morning hassles are sometimes unavoidable, but there are things that parents can do to help avoid making them a regular occurrence. No one enjoys getting those notices from school that your child has been tardy an excessive number of times or has missed the bus AGAIN!
With adolescents, sleep deprivation can often be a factor. Your child may be going to bed later and now they have to wake up earlier. We’ve all seen the research that teenagers (& tweens) need more sleep. Of course, the simple answer is to “make” your child go to bed earlier. Easier said than done! Talk with your child about the importance of sleep and discuss the difference in everyone’s (adults included) behavior and attitude when we are more rested.
Well-established routines that include predictable and stated expectations are key to avoiding morning hassles. An excellent website summarizes suggestions from the book Positive Discipline A-Z by Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott and H. Stephen Glenn:
http://www.tccpeds.com/web366/medical/pw13_morninghassles.asp
This website not only offers practical suggestions, but also reminds parents that this is a life skill that children need to learn. It is important to remember that we can’t do it all for them; children need to learn to do for themselves and they are capable of managing morning routines with a little coaching.
Additional things to keep in mind:
In the end, the goal is smooth morning transitions from home to school. Coming to school less frazzled improves children’s ability to focus in the classroom. Helping your child develop independence and responsibility, establish routines, and learn planning and organizational skills will go far with long-term maturity and development.
Adapted from an article by Lisa Tomaino, WCPSS School Psychologist
With adolescents, sleep deprivation can often be a factor. Your child may be going to bed later and now they have to wake up earlier. We’ve all seen the research that teenagers (& tweens) need more sleep. Of course, the simple answer is to “make” your child go to bed earlier. Easier said than done! Talk with your child about the importance of sleep and discuss the difference in everyone’s (adults included) behavior and attitude when we are more rested.
Well-established routines that include predictable and stated expectations are key to avoiding morning hassles. An excellent website summarizes suggestions from the book Positive Discipline A-Z by Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott and H. Stephen Glenn:
http://www.tccpeds.com/web366/medical/pw13_morninghassles.asp
This website not only offers practical suggestions, but also reminds parents that this is a life skill that children need to learn. It is important to remember that we can’t do it all for them; children need to learn to do for themselves and they are capable of managing morning routines with a little coaching.
Additional things to keep in mind:
- Planning is key! Have established routines and practice those routines if necessary. Practicing the routine may seem “silly” to your teenager, however, it allows you to evaluate how well the child performed when you practiced it as well as attempt to figure out why it may not be working in “real time”.
- Use written lists/directions. We all perform better with a checklist. For some children having a checklist and crossing out those items is motivating; it provides a sense of accomplishment.
- Plan ahead by putting out clothes and backpacks and preparing lunches the night before. Foster a sense of independence by having your child be responsible for making lunches or picking out his/her own clothes.
- Keep distractions such as “screen time” to a minimum. Consider keeping the TV and other devices off during morning routines.
- When appropriate, outline specific consequences and stick to those consequences. If you made the statement, “If you make me late one more time, you won’t have computer privileges for a week!” stick to it. Make sure your child knows the consequences ahead of time.
In the end, the goal is smooth morning transitions from home to school. Coming to school less frazzled improves children’s ability to focus in the classroom. Helping your child develop independence and responsibility, establish routines, and learn planning and organizational skills will go far with long-term maturity and development.
Adapted from an article by Lisa Tomaino, WCPSS School Psychologist