School Mornings Without the Stress

Author:Beth Arky

Getting everyone out the door in the morning is a challenge for lots of families. For kids with mental health or learning difficulties, it can be even harder. Kids with ADHD or behavior issues may have trouble following instructions or focusing on what needs to get done. Kids with anxiety or depression may have a hard time getting out of bed or managing their worries about school. And for children on the autism spectrum, small changes in routine can lead to conflict.

But whether or not your child has a mental health diagnosis, there are ways to make mornings easier and avoid conflict. First, plan ahead. Anything that you can do the night before will save time in the morning — packing lunches, taking showers, choosing clothes. For younger kids, it’s helpful to break tasks down into small steps and praise them when they do them successfully. Older kids can use checklists. And visual prompts like posted schedules can help kids, especially those with ADHD or autism. Over time, all kids can build routines that they can complete with less help.

It also helps to focus on just the essential tasks, like getting dressed and brushing teeth. For example, you might want your child to make their bed in the morning, but they can still have a good day at school if that doesn’t happen. Once kids have mastered the basics, you can try adding more tasks to the routine. Small rewards, like a special cereal for breakfast, can motivate them to stick to the plan.

Finally, it helps a lot for parents to stay calm. Arguing wastes time and stresses kids out, making mornings even harder. And if your child consistently has trouble even getting out of bed or throws a tantrum every morning, getting professional support can help.