You know, once upon a time before children, I had the luxury of sleeping in. Even before that once upon a time way back in college and high school, I found getting up in the morning easy and I got up EARLY. Now, sleeping in just doesn’t happen because my two little preschoolers have a morning routine that can not be altered. It’s very important for both of them for things to be almost completely the same every day.
Our routine during the week starts off with getting up really early to get dad off to the bus stop, because we only have one car. My kids have to get dressed first, otherwise I would have ten more minutes to sleep in every morning, and I really enjoy sleeping now that I have kids. So we get dressed, take dad to his bus, and get back home for breakfast. Breakfast varies every morning depending on their mood, we have cereal, oatmeal, bananas, milk and I have coffee. At breakfast, sometimes I’m not that good at sitting at the table with the kids. I like to use that 20 minutes to get the dishes done, clean the counters or check my e-mail. We usually have a much better morning if I put everything down and start off our day talking to them. Helping Zoe prepare for her day at preschool by asking her what she’s going to learn about is much more productive then not spending time with her. Even Miles loves to talk and I really enjoy his conversation skills. He’s quite the conversationalist these days. So I’m working to have more meaningful memories in our morning routine.
Florida Orange Juice suggests that meaningful memories be a part of every morning routine. Families spend too much time rushing to get things done and aren’t connecting as much before they start their day. But despite the hustle and bustle that weekday mornings often bring, finding time to briefly connect over regular activities can set the tone for the day ahead. I’ve certainly found that to be true with my children and their moods. To help families get the emotional and physical fuel needed to start their day off right, the Florida Department of Citrus recently partnered with parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba and nutritionist and author, Elizabeth Ward, to offer simple and healthy morning solutions.
One of the biggest suggestions is to use the morning time as “unplugged time”. And as you read above that’s difficult for me. Putting down my e-mail to give my children more of my time should be an easy thing to do, but it’s actually quite a challenge, but I am trying and I urge you all to try with me. We’re also working on not turning on the TV when breakfast time is over. Additionally, a nutritious breakfast has been associated with weight loss and weight maintenance, as well as improved nutrient intake, so sit down with your family around the breakfast table – you’ll help each person get a good start to the day.
To learn more about adding g a meaningful morning to your daily routine check out Florida Citrus’s Facebook Page
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Florida Department of Citrus and received an OJ Gift Pack and a promotional item as a thank you for my participation
My kids are now 16 and 20, and although one is off at college and the other is able to get herself up and ready in the morning, I still like to wake up when she does so we can spend time at breakfast together before she goes off to school. I know the day will come (way to soon) where both girls will be out of the house and I can sleep longer in the morning. But while they are here, I like to enjoy every minute I can with them.
I am not a morning person. Not at all. My sons are and my daughter picks and chooses … I must admit I am very lazy in the morning. When my daughter isn’t at her Dad’s I have to get up to get her to school but I don’t always get up before her. She is a “do it herself” kinda girl and will get all ready for her school then I get out of bed last minute do her hair if she lets me and wait for the bus with her (I won’t let her wait for bus alone ever). My sons are 2 & 4 .. although routine driven with some things, mornings are not one of them. We have just become a lazy morning family which is going to have to change soon because this Fall I will have two in school and need to get a routine in place to make the transition from ‘home with mom’ to ‘at Kindergarten all day’ easier for my son!
I totally know what you mean about being unplugged. My kids are usually pretty quiet at breakfast, eating their cereal in silence, and I take advantage of their sleepiness to check my emails too. Shoot, I have hardly any other time during the day, I am with them constantly, around the clock.
And btw I LOVE Florida orange juice! I am so weird, but I can’t really wake up without OJ. I’ve tried apple juice and grape juice and it just isn’t the same….
Ugh, I’m not a morning person either. I love to sleep 😉
It’s hard to stay unplugged. However, this weekend I had 48 hours away from the internet and it was so refreshing.