When Your Kids Don’t Listen in the Morning

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I dreaded our mornings. The kids don’t listen in the morning. I told my husband.

They left an emotional scar on me every day. Nobody wanted to be rushed, and the cooperation was nil.  ‘Please brush your teeth,’ I would say.

 I was met with, ‘I’m not going to school!’

‘I am not brushing my teeth.’

When Your Kids Don’t Listen in the Morning

I would say everything you are not supposed to say: ‘You will brush your teeth or else.’ ‘You are going to school — and now — and I don’t want to hear another word about it!’ I could hear my mother’s words and tone coming out of my mouth. What was I doing?!

This excerpt comes from the book, Listen by Patty Wipfler and Tosha Schore.

After trying every threat and punishment I could think of, I finally started using the Hand in Hand approach. We started getting up 30 minutes early so we could play. I mean really PLAY! We just did 20 minutes right after breakfast… It worked!  Twenty minutes in the morning has given me hours of peace and love.

It’s funny how something like this can make such a big difference. How 20 minutes can change your day. No matter what, the thing that your children need the most is you. If you start to see them not doing as they are told, or being deficient, or just acting out… think about how you can do something for them.

As the saying goes: A child seldom needs a good talking to as a good listening to. If you find yourself losing your patience, give 20 minutes a try and see how it can change your day.

Tips for Changing Your Morning Routine

In addition to trying to give your children an extra 20 minutes of your time in the mornings, think of some things you can do to change up the morning routine until you find what works for you.

Here are some suggestions on how you might change up your mornings:

1. Have your children choose their favorite outfit the night before. This can help curb the “I don’t want to wear that” attitude.
2. Let your children pick out what they’d like to eat for breakfast once a week so long as their behavior is good. Perhaps on Friday they can eat what ever they want because they chose to have good mornings Monday-Thursday. Remember, good is not the same as perfect. We are raising little humans who need our guidance.
3. Let them watch their favorite show once a week in the mornings so long as they comply.
4. Choose a silly song to dance to every morning. Dancing is a great cure for restless, grumpy kiddos.
5. Let your kiddos put on your makeup or help you do your hair.
6. Just loosen up and have fun.

Need even more inspiration? Come take a look at the perfect morning routine for moms!

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