Mornings can be especially hectic and crazy if you have preschoolers. There is something about that age that can create a cascade of disasters if these little ones don’t wake up on precisely the right side of the bed. If one thing goes wrong, it can often lead to the day having a fast spiral downward like the dirty bathwater that you can’t dispose of fast enough. There is another way, though, if you can implement a few specific suggestions into your Morning routine, you can master this dance and streamline your morning routine with preschoolers.

Lay out a few outfits and let them choose

Preschoolers love choices, and they want control. It’s okay to give them both, as long as the one ultimately in control is the parent. If you’re the one to lay out the clothing choices, you at least know that your child isn’t wearing shorts in 30-degree weather. However, this method allows them to have some options, too. Teach them how to dress. By three years old most children can master this task.

Have a personal hygiene plan

For preschoolers, this is pretty simple. A picture of a toothbrush, hairbrush, washcloth, whatever your routine requires, placed in their room will help. This is a reminder to go to the bathroom and spruce up. Once in the bathroom, you can even have a place for them to check off each item as they do it.

Have breakfast planned ahead

One of the major slowdowns of an efficient morning is the indecisiveness of what to prepare for a healthy meal. Plan this ahead and if you can, set your place setting the night before. If cereal is on the menu, set out a bowl and spoon, better yet, have your preschooler do it for you. They’ll love the independence and joy they’ll feel that they’re helping.

Offer a reward system

If your child can effectively master dressing and hygiene, and then sit down to breakfast without disaster, reward them. This doesn’t have to be anything extravagant– a simple sticker is quite rewarding. Take a moment and have them put the sticker on the calendar for a smooth morning well done. If stickers aren’t your thing, take a moment, hold their hand and look into their face to let them know you appreciate their help and the efforts that they make.

As moms, we often get caught up in the busyness of life, and we forget that the little ones don’t see deadlines and morning rush as we do. Sometimes the best way to approach our mornings is with prayer and asking for patience. Our children often feel our stress as we rush around, but they don’t understand the pressure we are under. They only understand the feelings they have. It may seem an inconvenience to us and a difficulty as they move like molasses, but if we can harness and streamline parts of our routine, it will help them move along on those particularly challenging mornings

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