Are mornings hectic in your house? Kids having trouble to be motivated and get ready? Do you find yourself pushing your patience limits 10 minutes after your children woke up?
I have had mornings like that. Quite few lately. So something needed to change. Especially since school is coming up.
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The truth is that we were "no routine kinda family" before. Especially when it came to mornings. We live pretty simple lives, where morning rush isn't common in our house, but since our daughter is starting school, we had to implement a morning routine.
Jump to:
Happy Mama for Happy Kids
Since I've had a make over over my mornings (which by the way literally changed my life), I decided to create some kind of structured routine for my kids too. It made such a significant change on my life, so I figured it would help them too.
I wanted to come up with the morning routine that they would enjoy and it wouldn't be stressful or something that they would hesitate to do every single morning. After all, mornings are the mirror of the day.
The trick to successful morning routine for kids is pretty simple, yet very effective. At least to our family.
Morning Routine Hack for Kids
Everything is so much better when it's done with music. Isn't it?
It doesn't matter how old the person is. It always makes us happier, more energized, more positive and simply more productive through the day.
So, I choose my kids' favorite songs (see the playlists below) and put them on the playlist on my phone. Put it in the wireless Bluetooth speaker and the house is full of music.
The goal of playing music in the morning is not only to make kids all happy, but also to make them more productive in their morning chores: making bed, brushing teeth, washing up, dressing up and coming down for breakfast.
When I first introduced this new "morning thing" to my kids I told them 1 rule: they had to finish one of their chores during 1 song. Every song meant 1 chore. Pretty easy.
It really helped them to keep on track and stay focused on what they had to do. If they finished what they had to do before the music was off, they got to do whatever they wanted which meant getting her doll changed with the new outfit for the day for my 6 year old and checking on his animal 'farm' for my little one.
There are few tips to be successful with this morning hack:
- Start by picking a slower, more quiet song. Waking up should be calm process, not sudden jump out of the bed.
- Pick positive and motivational songs.
- Teach by example. Get in the music yourself and show how it's done: sing while you make the bed and dance a little while brushing the teeth.
It eliminates yelling, constant reminding, asking, nagging...
Want to know what do we listen to in the mornings?
Like I said, the list of songs changes pretty often, especially for my almost 7 year old.
Recently we started using Amazon Prime Music. Here are the playlists we have been listening to lately. (press on the links and you can select and listen to the songs). You can play Amazon Prime Music on almost all of your devices.
KIDZ BOP KIDS - for older kids
FOR THE KIDS - for younger ones
Browse around and find favorite songs for your kids. Since there are 2 kids in the family we try to rotate the playlists to fit both kids' needs.
Our mornings have become so much more joyful since we started this morning routine. Everybody is singing, dancing and being simply really happy. It's amazing what some simple tunes can do to your day.
More about routines
My blogging friends Laurie and Rachel wrote a book about how to make life easier with kids when using routines. Newborn to 5 years old. Single or multiple kids at different ages. Seriously, this book can save your sanity and make everybody much happier in the house.
Click here to view more details
Why don't you try and let me know how did it go? Or share one of your morning routine tricks with me and other readers. We would LOVE to know.
Ruby says
This is great! Can't wait to start both morning routines, will make everyday start off so positive and fun! Thanks heaps!
Jennifer says
Yes finally a routine and advice I can relate too.i have the problem of my seven year old dragging her feet not getting up etc... By twenty minutes I am screaming yelling and frustrated so I can relate and then I ante myself for not having enough patience in the morning chores always end up a disaster and it ends with my four year old son helping my daughter being stubborn and making it harder so I will try these tils and I will let you know how it works for my family.
Birute Efe says
Jennifer, thank you for your comment and I can also relate to your situation. I hope it works for you and your family. Give it a try for few days/weeks and yes, please, let me know how it worked and what songs you guys using.
Pam says
I'm so glad to have stumbled upon this blog while browsing pintrest. I look forward to giving this a try for my 5 year old tomorrow morning especially with it being Saturday. Thanks for sharing.
Birute Efe says
I hope it turned out well, Pam. I would give it a try for few days, weeks until you perfect it and adjust to your and your child's needs. Have fun with it!
Esther says
This sounds great!
I will try it on my three children aged 8, 5 & 3
Sandra says
Thank you for sharing. Going on youtube right away to download some great songs. I have a schedule of what to do for my children on the wall but I still have to remind them sometimes. The song will definately make things easier and calmer. Thank you.
Erin says
Hi! Great idea! What is the name of your playlist on spotify? The link wouldn't take me to it. Thanks!
Catlin says
We've already been doing this music in the morning idea, but we pop in what is currently the top iTunes music DVD, called Kids Come Alive by Bethel music. It is an outstanding collection of kids music and video, and in our house we are three single moms each with one daughter, ages 8 to 10. The music gets the girls up and dressed in a hurry, and to the kitchen so they can dance while they make their lunches and watch the DVD in the process. It makes it even more fun that they actually know the kids in the DVD!
Jennifer says
I'm excited to try this. I have done music to wake up my kids once in a while and it definitely helps. I love the idea of 1 task per song. There is one change I am going to make. After playing a calm song for them to wake up to I am going to have them say their morning prayers and then join us in the living room for family scriptures. Then we will continue with the playlist of songs and morning tasks. I find that having Heavenly Father on our side makes things flow even smoother. 🙂
carol says
A great idea, what is the consequence if a chore is not done by the song duration?
Stacy says
Ditto to his, as my boys have a tendency to dance more than work...
Tania says
I like this idea.
My 9 yr old is the toughest to get out of bed. I got tired of yelling. I told him I'd only be waking him once. And to help his brain wake up, I'd tell him a riddle each day. It works like a charm!
Birute Efe says
Tania, what an amazing idea! I will try it!!! Thank you
Shelby says
Can you update on how this has worked for your family? I’ve tried *everything*. My kids drag their feet and take their sweet time- we always end up rushing. Kids forget backpacks, lunchboxes, water bottles…. It’s so frustrating!