5 Tips for Creating Stress-Free Mornings with Kids
Thank you Honey Bunches of Oats® Frosted Cereal for sponsoring this post. Now available at major retailers nationwide!
Mornings with kids can sometimes be challenging, to say the least. Ever since both of my kids started going to school five days a week, we have been working on ways to make our mornings easier and less stressful. For the first few weeks of school, our mornings were so chaotic, and those crazy and stressful feelings would set the tone for the entire day! Over the past few months, we have started making small changes to our morning routine and we have seen huge improvements in everyone’s morning happiness! From easy breakfasts with Honey Bunches of Oats® Frosted Cereal to consistent bedtimes, below are my favorite tips for better, stress-free mornings!
5 Tips for Creating Stress-Free Mornings with Kids
Set an Alarm
Setting an alarm has honestly been the biggest game-changer for smoother mornings in our house. We set the alarm early enough so the kids have time to get up and they don’t feel rushed. We purchased each of them their own smart speaker and we wake them up to their favorite music. We feel that the music makes them happy and starts off the morning on a positive and fun note. We factor in an extra 10-15 minutes for them to get out of bed on their own and take their time getting ready. They love waking up to the music, and we love that they don’t feel rushed.
Prep as Much as You Can the Night Before
Preparing as much as you can the night before is so helpful when it comes to stress-free mornings. We make lunches, pack backpacks, and lay out clothes each night before the kids go to bed. This eliminates the stress of having to do this in the morning and there is no arguing over outfits or snack items with the kids. We include them when we are picking out clothes and lunch and snack items. We feel that discussing all of this the night before takes away any chance of disagreeing the next morning.
Make Breakfast Fun and Easy
Even with all of our morning routine changes, we still have mornings where we don’t have much time for breakfast. Because of this, we feel that a quick and delicious breakfast, like the new Honey Bunches of Oats Frosted Cereal, is perfect for busy mornings. Already huge fans of Honey Bunches of Oats, the new cereal medley adds a frosty layer of sweetness and the crunchy goodness of granola bunches. The whole family loves talking about our plans for the day over cereal and enjoying a few minutes together before we rush out the door. You and your family will definitely want to try the new Honey Bunches of Oats Frosted Cereal; it’s now available at retailers nationwide!
Create Independence
My kids are 4 and 6 and they love doing things on their own. I have noticed that when we give them more independence, it frees me up to do more of the morning responsibilities, and they appreciate doing things by themselves. They love running downstairs after getting ready and pouring their own bowls of Honey Bunches of Oats Frosted Cereal while I gather the items for their day. And because their outfits are already laid out the night before, they are able to get ready and downstairs quickly each morning!
Start With a Nightly Routine and a Good Night’s Sleep
Just like you and me, getting enough sleep is crucial for a pleasant morning. If the kiddos don’t go to bed early, they are tired and cranky when they wake up, and everything after that is a struggle. We make sure to keep our bedtime routine consistent throughout the week, and even on the weekends. The more sleep they get, the more refreshed they are when they wake up. We also take nightly baths and read stories before bed so that their bodies are relaxed and ready well before bedtime. We also noticed that eating dinner earlier made a big difference in how well they were able to go to bed.
These are all of the tips that have really helped us create less stressful mornings for our family. I hope these tips help you create better morning routines and please share your favorite suggestions below! Thank you so much for stopping by and see you next time!
