Morning times don’t have to be hectic

GETTING you and your children out the door to school and work in the morning can have your stress levels soaring.

Parent coach Marian Byrne says morning stress is generally to do with a mismatch in urgency — parents are working to an agenda and a time constraint but children don’t have the same urgency.

“Sometimes it’s the child who’s time-oriented and the parent is scattered and all over the place. The child doesn’t want to walk into class late or likes to get in before everybody else,” says Byrne, who sees the first hour of the day as the rudder of the day, setting the tone for the remainder.

“If you jump out of bed, hit the ground running and are in a panicked rush, you carry that energy with you throughout the day. It will impact —people will be affected.”

She recommends factoring in five minutes for yourself before the day begins —perhaps to take 10 conscious breaths, drink some hot water and lemon or bring mindful awareness to yourself when having your shower.

“Grounding or centring yourself will make your day much better,” she says.

Practical morning-stress-busting measures include planning ahead.

“Look at the schedule for the week or month ahead. If something out of the ordinary is coming up — a birthday party or a different school collection time — you can prepare for the change in routine so you’re less likely to be panicked the night before or morning of,” says Byrne.

“Knowing what you and the children are wearing, getting lunches and breakfast table ready, can take out that extra layer of stress.”

Routine is a friend, particularly in the morning — dress before breakfast before teeth-cleaning, having a rota for the bathroom — means everybody knows what’s expected of them.

Byrne recommends having a designated departure lounge in the house.

“This is a space where all the bags and coats are — so children aren’t going upstairs for their bag or into the kitchen for their coat. And have a definite place for your keys.”

For the child who’s prone to dawdling, she suggests putting on some fast music.

“Pacy music can help subliminally to speed things up. You could also use an egg timer or the timer on your phone — it beeps when the time is up. This can also help keep kids on track.”

Parents might consider getting up five minutes earlier, resisting the impulse to hit that snooze button just one more time.

“Put your alarm clock on the other side of the bedroom so you can’t hit snooze,” advises Byrne.

TOP TIPS

* Identify the biggest stressor – is it you or your child?

* Address just one area – what can I do differently?

* Get up five minutes earlier so you’re a step ahead.

* Rather than thinking ‘I want them to move faster’, ask ‘what can I do that will make a positive impact?’