4 ways we’ve established a morning routine with a toddler
It feels a bit hypocritical that I’m sitting here writing about a morning routine with a toddler when we haven’t even been home for the past eight weeks...a morning routine hasn’t exactly been a priority for us as I’m sure you can imagine!! However, at some point in our lifetime, I promise we did have one! And although it’s hard to have a routine when we’re traveling, we do always try to keep some semblance of one since we know it’s important for all three of us.
Here are 4 ways we’ve established a morning routine with a toddler:
1. Stress routine the night before
Have you ever heard that your morning routine starts the night before? Lol well it’s true!! We are all over the place in the morning if we haven’t had the proper nighttime routine in place. This doesn’t mean you have to have some elaborate ritual where you spend hours prepping for bed, but it might mean you spend a little extra time tidying up, setting things out for the morning, and doing your best to get everyone in bed and asleep on time (including yourself!).
2. Use a timer
I generally try to stay off my phone, but using the timer on my phone comes in handy! This way we all stay on track because we can sometimes lose track of time in the morning - especially on chaotic mornings!! It’s also helpful for Mav to hear the buzz go off and get that audible reminder that time is up (especially if that time is up on play time!).
3. Stay flexible
Isn’t this always the case? Haha! Truly though, sometimes I plan to get work done or maybe go on a walk and catch up with a friend, but maybe Mav needs more mommy time and when I try really hard to stick to my “plan,” that’s when things get tough. When you’re flexible and willing to take things as they come, I promise it’s more enjoyable. A routine is so important, but you can still find flexibility and grace for things to change in that.
4. Verbally process with them
Mav is really struggling with going to daycare. He still cries every day. BUT one of the biggest things that has helped is going over his schedule verbally with him. Sounds crazy, but now he does it too...yes even at 2. We talk about the fact that he will play outside, read books, shoot basketball with Ms. Caitlyn, eat lunch, nap, play some more, and then mommy and daddy will be there to pick him up. I think giving kids a reminder of what their day will look like is so helpful and gives them the confidence they need to attack their "to-do" list as well. And I’ve mentioned this before in other posts, but don’t underestimate the power of your words and your mood with your littles!! If you’re calm and encouraging, they can feel that! And if you’re getting sad and weepy, they will feel that too haha!
