Tips for a Stress-Free Morning Routine for Kindergarten Parents

Kicking off the first week of Kindergarten is an exciting milestone for the whole family! However, adjusting to new schedules can be tricky, especially when it comes to new morning routines. To help make the transition easier for parents and incoming Rocketeers, we compiled these tips to help you create a stress-free morning routine.

1. Make sure the whole family gets enough sleep.
How do you know if your child is getting enough sleep? Well, according to this New York Times article, the National Sleep Foundation recommends children from ages three to five get 11 to 13 hours of sleep and children from five to 10 years-old sleep should get 10 to 11 hours. That means if your five year-old needs to wake up by 7 a.m., they should be in bed by 8 p.m. at latest.

2. Set yourself up for success the night before.
Leaving everything for the morning can easily lead to unnecessary stress. Make things easier for yourself by preparing breakfast the night before, packing lunch, laying out their uniform, and hanging their backpack on a designated hook next to your purse, keys, or wallet.

3. Get up well before your kids.
Make sure you have some time for you. For some people that means waking up one hour before. For others, it’s a bit more. Whatever the amount, make sure you have enough time to get caffeinated, get some self-care time in, and maybe even load your car with all your essentials, so you don’t forget anything as the kids are bustling out the door.

4. Create a morning chart for kids to check off.
You can print out this free checklist to help remind your little ones what to do once they wake up. This includes everything from going to the bathroom and washing their hands to brushing their teeth, combing their hair, eating breakfast, and getting dressed.

5. Stay calm for your kid.
Your Rocketeer will notice if you’re rushing around the house stressed. If s/he isn’t following your directions try kneeling down at their level and explain why you need their help and what you need them to do in that moment. Try to keep your tone calm to avoid revealing frustration so you both can start the day on a good note.

Looking for more tips? You can use your school’s Rocketship Facebook group to connect with other parents, ask questions, and crowd-source solutions. We hope you find these tips helpful and can’t wait to meet you and your Rocketeer!

Published on August 18, 2019