Stress-Free Mornings with Teens: Top Tips
Mornings with teens… need I say more? *sigh* Between the missing socks, lost lunch box/juice bottles and last-minute homework panic, getting everyone out the door on time can feel like running a marathon before 7 am. Yes, you read that correctly, Connor and I are normally gone by 6:45 am in the mornings, while James gets a lift at 7 am.
But I’ve found a few little hacks that make mornings smoother and (mostly) less stressful:
Prep the Night Before
This is one of the best things you can do to have a good morning routine. Encourage your teen to pack their bag, get their uniforms/outfits ready, and charge their devices the night before. It saves so much drama in the morning rush.
Wake Up Earlier
The more time your teens get in the morning to get ready, the better! This was much easier to do when my kids were younger. Nowadays, Connor is the only one to wake up and jump straight out of bed to get ready. Not because he wants to, but so that he can have some screen time before school. James, on the other hand, prefers to wake up and relax in bed until around 6 am before getting himself up and ready. Luckily, this routine works for us.
Keep Breakfast Simple
This is another huge time saver, especially in our house, where my kids are on some sort of go-slow when it comes to eating breakfast! Have easy-to-make options like Pronutro cereal or grab-and-go options like fruit, yoghurt, or toast. Even if they are not big morning eaters, a little breakfast helps them focus at school.
Limit Screen Time in the Morning
Phones, games, and social media are huge time-wasters. I have found keeping the boys off their phones until they are completely ready to leave saves so much time and stops the morning yelling and stress.
Stay Calm
This one’s easier said than done sometimes, but your mood sets the tone. A calm parent equals a calmer teen (well… most of the time!). I can definitely see the difference in my kids if we have a calm morning getting ready as opposed to a rushed one where I am yelling at them to get ready all the time.
At the end of the day, mornings don’t have to be perfect. Remember, the goal is just getting everyone where they need to be, with as little stress as possible. And on the days it all falls apart? Don’t beat yourself up about it, just reset, and try again tomorrow.
