School is back in session!
(And so are the early mornings.)
My children started a new school this year, and with it, we added an entirely new evening/morning routine.
For all of us. Including Mom.
No, we didn’t ease into it. We just went cold turkey on Day 1.
We also set up some specifics that have to happen the night before, and in the morning before we walk to the bus stop.
The kids are responsible for packing their lunches before bed. Not packing a lunch means . . . well, no lunch.
Clothes are laid out. Mom does no quick washing in the morning.
Bags are packed. In the event that a book or assignment gets left at home, home is where it will stay that day.
In the morning, the floors of their rooms need to be picked up.
Dirty clothes go to the hamper.
And, one lucky winner gets to unload the dishwasher!
(Oh, and yes, I do feed them.)
Believe it our not, our mornings have been pretty darn calm. But not due to the children’s routine.
See, I too, have taken on a new routine.
It’s called, “The Early To Rise Experience “. I did Early to Rise over a year ago and found it incredibly helpful. This time however, I’m going through its “sister” book, “The Early To Rise Experience for Moms”.
Knowing that I’d slipped into some bad morning habits, I started a group for mothers who would have interest in rising earlier. We are all reading this book together.
The result?
Up at 5:30 AM to read, pray, answer a few email messages, and just be with ME. With that, a happier me is available to welcome my kids to the new day. My goal is 5:00 AM, and is attainable. Our group is really helping each other to ease that alarm back a bit more every week.
So yes, while routine and order are making our mornings a less crabby experience, I truly believe that I am helping set the tone by rising earlier and taking some personal breathing space before my day runs until, well . . . it’s 11:00 PM.
Do you have a specific routine in the morning?
Are you an early riser?
