Let’s face it. If high school was designed with the sleep needs of teenagers in mind, the school day would start at noon and end around 7:30pm. At puberty most children go through a big hormonal change that shifts their optimal sleep/wake/sleep cycle forward 3-6 hours. Unfortunately for all of us, the school day starts earlier the older our kids get.
Here are some suggestions for making mornings go easier. These should be helpful for teens, and younger kids as well if they are just not morning people.
1. Make a list. Most people (teens included) do better when expectations are clearly communicated. Ask your child to write down what has to get done in the morning.
2. Prioritize. Suggest a mark by the things that are crucial for those ignored-the-alarm-clock mornings. This helps teens decide what must be done and what can slide. Your opinions may vary on this, compromise. If your teen picks grooming as a non-negotiable, you can pick breakfast, for example.
3. Time it. Take a few mornings to see about how long this list takes to get through. Whether it’s school or camp or work, help them work backwards from the departure time to decide on wake-up time.
4. Be flexible. Breakfast can be brought if it isn’t eaten. Let your teenager learn the skill of adjustmenting the list and the wake-up time as it seems necessary.
5. Put it to music. Most people are more positive and efficient when doing routine tasks to music. This should be music your teen likes and that you can tolerate. Be as tolerant as you can possibly be!
6. Be clear about transportation options. High schoolers should be in charge of their own wake-ups, this is a skill they will need life-long. But what if he misses the bus? What if you are the ride but can’t be late to work? Make sure your child understands that this is a respect issue, that you can’t wait if she runs too late, even if that means a tardy, detention, or a zero for a missed morning quiz.
7. Consider the options. Help your teen brainstorm all the possible ways of getting to school (and don’t underestimate foot power.
8. Build in some time for failure. Don’t let your teen’s morning ruin your whole day by destroying your good mood or making you late. Get up a little earlier, to get some of your important stuff done so that you have a little extra brain power to help your teen learn these important life skils.
Mornings are hard for many of us! By teaching these practical methods, you are setting your child up for a lifetime of being on time to school and work. You are building a responsible, resilient person who can meet their obligations.
What else do you do to make mornings more tolerable at your house?