Mornings with kid(s) is a circus with untamed wild animals. If you are a mother with a toddler, your mornings might be rush-rush-gone. Surely when you introspect the pre-child mornings would be the synonyms of bliss. If you wish to re-discover the calm mornings WITH kid, you might have to create morning rituals that work for you.
But before manufacturing a ritual for kids you might have to start working on self. A happy mother can make a morning happy. As the saying goes – one can’t pour from an empty cup. So, mothers do need a self-care routine planned, implemented and practice regularly.
Planning the skeleton of day in advance does help before the day kicks in galore. Rise up before kids, have your tea and wake your munchkins.
Waking up fresh and charged in the morning is a children’s thing. They always have the energy to conquer the world, their world. Staring the day with a routine does help all, parents and kids alike. They know what to expect and have a mental list of action slash activities to do as the day has begun.
What is ritual over routine?
You might wonder the usage of the word ‘ritual’ instead of ‘routine’. We all have heard of morning routines and lived a routine life so far. What is a ritual?
At first glance both are the same, you have a set of activities to do in a stipulated time. But then ‘intentions’ come into play and change the game with rituals. Rituals highlight the attitude for doing the action.
With heightened awareness of things around us, giving each ‘chore’ meaning and purpose and focusing on the moment can convert mundane routine to bright rituals.
The morning rituals that work for us
With our 3 years old who is curious and kind we start our day slow. He is yet to start formal schooling and we learn at home. These rituals have grown along with our child. Few responsibilities added here and there, lots of giggles and a positive start.
While greeting the child, Penguin, the morning I prefer staying off gadgets and focusing only on him. Our morning connection, not attention, shapes our day.
Slow start
Welcome the day with cuddles. Ask if he slept well or if there were any dreams. On a few occasions’ mornings do start with storytelling by my ever-expressive child. Sing our morning verses and drink water. Start with self-care, brush, wash face, etc. Have warm spiced milk.
Make bed
Of course, a 3-year-old can’t make the bed completely but he can do a major part of it. Remove mosquito nets, fold sheets/ blankets, rearrange pillows and sheets. A clean bed does give us space and a positive start.
Stretch
One of the things I’m not proud of is starting exercise in the late ’20s. The takeaway from that, we do stretches and chant Om.
Make breakfast and cherish
While making breakfast we do need some serious help from my sous-chef. With books and puzzles laid in our dining table, we start our first meal. At times we do take screen’s help too. Truth and can’t deny that part.
Dress up and head outdoors
Done with breakfast and cleaning table, wiping countertops we head outdoors. Penguin, our 3-year-old usually chooses his outfit and can get dressed with little help.
A good sun-soaking and jumping around gives another pump for the day.
We might tweak this routine when he grows up as the morning outdoor play might get replaced with the school. But we are going to attempt this same ritual for the time ahead.
Learning about mindful mornings and appreciating positivity took me long years to practice, as a parent I do hope to inculcate the beauty early in his life.
Are you a morning rituals person? What’s your ikigai?
You might like to read – Night rituals that work for toddlers.
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This post was translated and published in Naya Patrika newspaper.
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I love how you make it so systemati, but not sure if this would work universally. Will try with my kids and let you know the progress.
Just like a kid’s personality, the rituals could be customized. I would like to hear your experience.
Morning madness is real and I can relate with you here. Ever since school has started we always try to keep a half an hour buffer, so that even if we move slow we have time in hand.
The buffer time do sound good. 🙂
Yes morning ritual are important in our home, apart from the list I also include joining hands after the bath. I know little ones don’t pray much or ask for but this ritual makes them to stand in peace for few minutes.
We do prayer along with our morning rhythm and after the bath. How do you work on kids’ spirituality Sonal? Curious.
It is better to plan in advance and avoid morning rush for kids. These are some good tips to follow.
Thanks Amrit.
weekdays we are in a rush to send him to school, weekends I still try and get him to help me in some stuff. But this is very important that you teach kids responsibility
Agree
My usual morning routine with two kids is like a war and race at the same time. You have shared some really nice tips.
Thanks for reading Snigdha.
These ideas are perfect! For us, these rituals are just perfect for a holiday or weekend. School mornings are usually very busy and all we ever want is to catch the bus on time.
Keep visiting us, Surbhi. 🙂
I can relate to this list. Kids love cuddling in the morning and then followed by breakfast
absolutely.
Need I say you are giving your little one a very precious upbringing dear. Hats off!
Oh my God, am nowhere near the praise. Honestly humbled Roma.
Kids are non stop excitement,some times to keep up with them is tiring. Your tips and ideas are really good.
Thanks Anahita.
I didn’t realise that morning rituals can make such a big difference. Our mornings work according to kids’ school time but sure some changes can be made. Thanks!
Anythings that encourages mindfulness for kids is great for the morning routine. In the end, we need a happy child who is excited about the day.
A lovely morning informative for our little one.
🙂
Nice tips, I usually ask kids if they slept well or had My dreams. Our mornings are too fast.planning the day in advance surely helps, I even discuss and finalize what they want in tiffin so that there is no fuss in the morning.
Whatever works for a calm morning, Ujjwal. 🙂
i try to encourage and keep my toddler talking about various exciting things while i dress him, feed him and drop him to school. the things we moms do!
Great whatever works for you dear. 🙂
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Morning rush is normal but proper planning always helps. Kids love to follow a set routine whether it be night time routine or morning routine. And once school starts, its easy to put them into a proper routine.
We are homeschooling for now and our ritual do keep us awake. Thanks for engaging Alpana.
Thank you for sharing such wonderful tips
Thank you.