Smoother Mornings: Ditch the PJs!

Hi Everyone,

Our oldest son, J. Morgan, is who I call "my tender heart." He's so sweet and loving, but with that comes anxiety and difficulty with transitions. When he was little, the morning routine used to be a bit exhausting. He needed extra time "to ease into his daily routine," adding stress to our efforts of getting out the door on time.

That's when I decided to take a step back and do a mental task analysis. How could I simplify the morning routine? And then, it hit me—an "a-ha" moment!

Smoothing the Morning Routine

I removed changing from pajamas into daily clothes completely out of the morning routine. No, I didn't send J. Morgan to school in his pajamas (though I must admit, it would have been quite the sight, ha ha!)

Instead, the night before, after his bath, I started having him wear his clothes for the next day. (Since he mostly wore sweatpants and a shirt, they were very similar to pajamas anyway, and comfortable enough for sleep.)

How I Introduced The Change

I approached him with a new perspective, saying, "Buddy, let's go ahead and get you into your clothes for tomorrow. That way, you get even more time to enjoy your breakfast and cartoons!"

And guess what? He was sold on the idea!

The Difference It Made

This simple tweak made a world of difference in our morning routine:

• It reduced stress
• Eliminated the need for clothing negotiations
• Gave J. Morgan a sense of control over his morning experience

It's a quick tip that I still give out to parents who may be struggling with similar challenges.

Sometimes, finding creative solutions and making small adjustments can have a big impact on our children's well-being and our overall family dynamics.

So, if you find yourself in a similar situation, give it a try! It might help streamline your mornings too!

That's all for now,

Laura