https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:16:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings/page/2#post-2828560 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 21:14:13 +0000 Iced Tea 2828560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I’m in charge, I just keep the kiddos in the master suite with me. They play or we chat. However, my husband would always immediately put them in front of the TV. It was causes issues here too, and I asked him to stop. He decided to try music instead, and to my surprise, it worked! They both enjoy dancing and the older one tries to sing along. She did complain when she realized it was a permanent change in routine rather than one different day, but we survived. Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings/page/2#post-2828499 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 13:57:34 +0000 SweetiePie 2828499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What happens if you just...leave her in the crib? Does she always cry? Or does she wake up happy?<br /> Granted we sort of ingrained this from newborn on, but just because our kids are awake doesn’t mean we go get them. We always left them to play for 30-60 mins after we heard them wake up so they didn’t expect us right away. And that’s how we got ready for a long time. </p> <p>Now that our older one is in a bed and uses an OK to wake clock, we set the clock for 7, so no matter when he wakes he is in his bed till 7.<br /> And we do allow the iPad once the light turns green because it has a timer that shuts down. We set it for 15 mins, then he sits for breakfast and we allow another 20-30 mins. Then when the timer goes off we dress him and we tell him to find something to play with. That’s usually another 30 mins. Our youngest is only 4mo but we already do the same thing with leaving him till at least 7am and plan to continue that, whether he’s awake or asleep.<br /> At 2yo if she’s a rule follower OR motivated by treats, you might be able to use an ok to wake clock to keep her in her room longer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828484 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 12:51:23 +0000 alphagam84 2828484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I shower the night before and hubby showers right when we get up. DD and I eat breakfast together and then go upstairs to get dressed and brush our teeth, etc. She's 2.5 and we trust her for the most part to entertain herself in the mornings while getting ready. We don't do any tv in the mornings-it would be a nightmare. She gets to watch about 2 mins of a video while I do her hair but she's good about turning it off when her hair is done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828436 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:41:02 +0000 hellobeeboston 2828436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: I have to shower in the morning too or my hair is insane, and my husband leaves way before we all wake up! </p> <p>If the TV isn't an option, I have done the following with my little guy:<br /> Bring him in the shower with me (with toys, then he's clean too so that save some time for later)<br /> Bring some toys into the bathroom to entertain him while I shower/get ready<br /> Give him a job that will keep him busy while I'm showering, sorting something for example. I've dropped a bag of cotton balls and had him put them into containers. it keeps them surprisingly busy, haha<br /> I've resorted to water play in the sink in the bathroom if he doesn't want to shower with me, but this is messy.</p> <p>Good luck! We usually resort to TV/Ipad time and often we use a timer and when they go off they know it's done - but it's hard for a 2yo to get that.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828333 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:13:46 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2828333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The times when LO wakes up and I still have to do something like shower he will camp out in the bathroom and wait for me. The bathroom is babyproofed- drawers, cabinets don’t open, tub faucet is secure. He’s happy playing with whatever soft good is accessible and whatever toy he’s dragged in there.</p> <p>On mornings when we have extra time I’ll read to him or we will do something fun like a puzzle. Waking up earlier can be a total PITA, but it could allow for some extra QT. Whenever we need to reset TV expectations we shut it off entirely for a weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828311 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 23:46:49 +0000 Alexandra603 2828311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>let the kids snack on some cheerios while you get ready? My kids wake up around 6am which is also when both my husband and I get ready for work. We trade off, I get ready (abut 20 minutes - I shower the night before) while he makes coffee and starts the kids breakfasts. Then he gets ready while I help the kids with breakfast, do dishes, pack my lunch. I leave when he's out the shower and then he gets ready while the kids play and then gets the kids dressed. You'll have to let go of the dream of having your kids out of your hair while you get ready - my kids are running in and out of the bathroom and just hanging out with us though sometimes they will go off and play with toys or look at books. But I think it's good for kids to learn about to manage when parents are fully focused on them! They'll figure it out :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828297 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 21:01:25 +0000 Modern Daisy 2828297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I taught my 4 yo how to tell if it’s 7am on his digital clock and our morning rule is that he has to stay in his room until that time. He doesn’t always do it but at least it helps! The 2 yo gets books and toys in his crib until we’ve gotten dressed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828293 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 20:53:09 +0000 wrkbrk 2828293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: No help here. TV lol. Could you try giving them books and puzzles in your bed? Dry cereal and color wonder markers? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828208 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:39:37 +0000 kiddosc 2828208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: That's not a bad idea, might be worth a try. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828207 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:33:09 +0000 Adira 2828207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: Could you put a monitor in the playroom so she can play, but you can still monitor her and hear for her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828206 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:31:43 +0000 kiddosc 2828206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: The playroom is downstairs and our bedrooms are upstairs, so realistically I'll need to bring some toys into our room. She'd totally pitch a fit if I tried to block her into her room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828204 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:21:38 +0000 Adira 2828204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: Can you just let her play in her room (or a playroom/living room/wherever her toys are) while you are getting ready? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828196 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:01:24 +0000 kiddosc 2828196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It doesn't really make sense to get up and get ready before she wakes up because we'd all be sitting around with nothing to do then... and I don't get enough sleep as it is. We feed the 6 year old breakfast before school/summer camp, but the 2 year old eats breakfast at daycare. During the school year, the bus comes at 8, so we're limited as to how early we can leave the house. We do a lot of traditional lunch food type lunches and 16 hour old sandwiches are soggy and gross. We're not crunched for time in the mornings, just trying to find relatively independent activities for a two year old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828185 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 13:21:51 +0000 Anagram 2828185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and I didn't see your other question: what do the kids do if not TV. Mine do regular play--blocks, art, coloring, dollhouse. They do make messes, totally. We just spend 5-10 minutes cleaning it up before we leave at the same time we make the beds. Mine will be 3 and 5 this summer, but this has been our routine for ages. I don't have any "dangerous" things like scissors that they could really get into trouble with. But they have access to crayons, markers (washable), paper, stickers, as well as all the toys in their room. Even if my youngest like, colors on the wall--it's all washable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828181 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 13:14:18 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2828181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On days when I have to go from daycare drop off straight to work I wake up earlier than my LO. I just need about 30 minutes to start coffee, shower, and dress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828177 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:55:11 +0000 winniebee 2828177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I WFH mostly but when I have to be out the door for work I have to set my alarm and get up earlier than the kids (5 or 5:30 since they wake at 6!). I also shower at night as much as possible. My husband isn't around to help in the mornings (he leaves for work by 6:30) so there's no choice unfortunately! Like you, I learned early on that TV in the mornings hurt us more than they help us so I don't ever use TV in morning! My oldest is easy in the morning (he's 6) and gets himself ready but I do get him breakfast. Middle child can be left alone (3.5) and doesn't get into anything but he's demanding in the morning. Baby is a disaster (12 months). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828174 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:47:19 +0000 Becky 2828174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My tips would be wake up earlier than them and get them out of the house before they have the chance t turn on the TV.</p> <p>If I didn’t get up before my kids I couldn’t get out the door. I get up at 4:50-5:20 do some prep if anything is needed, run, get back and shower (if I’m not running I’ll occasionally sleep in until DD1 wakes up). Sometimes DD1 is awake but she’s 4.5 and can get dressed, get breakfast, and entertain herself. I’m usually successful in showering before DD2 (age 2) wakes up. Sometimes she wakes up while I’m gettong into the shower but she takes a few minutes to fully wake up so I just quickly shower then. If DD2 gets really upset I’ll ask DD1 to go talk to her for a minute or two while I get out of the shower. She’s in a crib so this works. </p> <p>Mornings I have to drop them off at school I try to get them there early so there is no chance to turn on the TV. Sometimes DD1 will watch something but it’s more rare these days. She’s usually busy eating, getting dressed, looking at books, coloring, etc. Mornings they don’t go to daycare I let them watch something but it’s not all mornings (when it’s nice out which is anything not requiring a snowsuit here sometimes they’ll play outside).</p> <p>I basically make the same thing for lunch every day, and I make it in the AM because I go to bed right after the girls at night, or want to just relax in the evening. If DD2 is awake she eats while I do this or watches a show on a non-daycare day sometimes. </p> <p>DH is occasionally home and able to help in the AM. However I usually capitalize on that: he and DD2 will sleep in.</p> <p>Breakfast is yogurt or a yogurt drink, a fruit, and something like a pancake or waffle (I make pancakes and muffins in bulk and freeze them). DD1 can get the yogurt/yogurt drink and fruit on her own and heating up the pancake or waffle is quick when I come down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828157 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:46:02 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2828157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I do mornings, I am solo. DH is already at work when all of us wake up. DS is 3.5 and DD is 16 months.</p> <p>I usually get up about 6/6:15 and get dressed and brush hair. I don't shower in the morning or wear make up. I try to wake up the kids by 6:30 if they aren't already awake. (The kids are usually locked into their bedroom.) I then get them dressed and try to be out of the house by 6:45. </p> <p>If the kids aren't locked in, then I let them play in the living room. They can get into their toys and make a disaster, but I'm not concerned about getting into things. I don't always keep a good watch on them when I'm at home. I'm busy cooking/dishes/laundry, etc.</p> <p>For showers, I shower the night before during bath time. They are in the shower with me and the water stays in. I make breakfast and lunch the night before and grab to take to daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828155 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:39:14 +0000 Anagram 2828155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of our kids wake around 6, and DH wakes with them. I'm up at 5:30-5:45, depending on if I have to wash my hair or not.</p> <p>So one thing you mentioned--packing lunches. Can that be done the night before? I pack my kids lunches every day, and I always do it while I'm making dinner the night before. It's part of my after work routine--I come home and clean out their lunch containers from that day and put them to dry in the dish drainer. I make dinner and as I'm plating dinner for the kids, I go ahead an pack their lunches. Then it all goes in the fridge and is all done by 6pm, then we sit down to eat and I'm done with everything for the rest of the night (one of us does bedtime with the kids while the other one cleans up dinner).</p> <p>Anyway, breakfast is Dh's department. If I were in charge of that, I'd be making that and plating it the night before too. But he's more of a morning person and it's his morning job, so he does it his way. I'm usually in the shower when the kids and DH wake up together, so he takes them to the other bathroom and they potty and brush teeth and undress immediately upon waking up. Like, first 5 minutes. Then he dresses them (I lay clothes out) and then they go to the living room and play while DH makes breakfast (he makes a fruit salad pretty much every morning--like washes and cuts all the fruit). Then he makes scrambled eggs, pancakes, or oatmeal. He doesn't really variate from that. Verrrrrry occasionally a mini bagel with cream cheese, but that's usually in addition to the eggs. That all takes about 10 min so the kids play during that time. He packs DD2s breakfast for daycare and a snack for the car, and she leaves with me at 6:45 am. After we're gone, he puts DD1 at the table for breakfast and puts on a show for her--that's when he takes a quick shower and irons his clothes. He usually does her hair while she's sitting and watching the show too. It's a routine to only watch 1 show, so she's used to that now and knows it goes off after 1. I've noticed on random days when we get off routine (because someone is sick) and we allow extra shows, then the kids start to demand more and more because they don't understand the limit. Having 1 (or 2 or whatever) every single time makes the limit easy for them to understand and for us to enforce. Then she gets additional play/drawing time until DH and she leave for school/work, which can be anywhere from 7:30-8:00 am. She goes to before care most days, because school doesn't start till 8:30 am.</p> <p>We both take a bedroom to make beds and tidy up in the morning, too. Like if I make our master bed, DH will make the girls' beds. Then the next day we switch. We always make beds and tidy before we leave for the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828154 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:37:36 +0000 Adira 2828154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours just play in their rooms in the morning until we get them. When our youngest was still 2, we just put a thing on his doorhandle so he couldn't get out. Now that he's potty trained and we want him to be able to use the bathroom, we just keep the upstairs gate closed, so he's confined to his room, his brother's room, the office, and the bathroom. Now he's 3.5 and we don't even bother with the gate - the kids know not to come downstairs in the morning until they have permission, so they play safely upstairs until we're ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828152 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:33:22 +0000 macintosh 2828152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 3 and he's been watching TV with his dad (mobility disabled) for a while now while I get ready in the mornings. He used to ask for his tablet a lot, but that caused more tantrums when it was time to take it away, so I just say no tablet in the AM. I'll try to have DH turn off the show when it ends (or at a commercial) so I can get DS ready to go. This morning it was right in the middle so I just set a timer and said when it goes off, the TV goes off. The timer helps because it's like an external force is initiating the transition instead of just me having to be the "bad guy". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828151 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:31:41 +0000 Ajsmommy 2828151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our mornings are crazy but we manage. We have 4 yo DD and 1 yo DS.</p> <p>I get up by 545 and shower. Sometimes DS is up first, if he is I go get him and bring him into bed with DH. We have a basket of toys he has in our room and he plays with them in bed /with DH while I shower. I admittedly take a quick shower, like 5-10 mins. Once I am out of the shower DH gets up and hits the shower. DS is around our room, climbing on me etc and making a mess while I apply 2-3 min make up and blow dry my bangs (yes I have bangs).... what really helps me is that I leave my hair wet. Once my make up is done I switch modes and get DS changed and dressed for the day, then we wake up DD and get her washed up/teeth brushed and dressed. This usually takes anywhere from 6 am-630 am sometimes we're faster and sometimes not....</p> <p>Then I get dressed and I take the kids downstairs. I set up DS with some drink and breakfast and DD gets her shoes on while I get her breakfast and backpack together/packed. </p> <p>DH comes down and DD and I head out. I put Velcro rollers in my hair (short bob cut) that are in my car and we are off. I drop off DD and then head to work. Once at work my hair is dry and I take out the rollers and touch it up with a brush and spray if needed.</p> <p>I can't shower at night, my hair would be a disaster and I really count on my shower to WAKE me up for the day. We have a tv in our room but we never turn it on so it's never been an issue. Some mornings are harder if DS is wanting me to hold him while I get ready.... but some morning are really smooth and he'll play while I get ready.. DS is really the key to our success :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828149 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:25:50 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2828149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe they will grow out of the melt down! My son watches his iPad in our bed while I get ready and when I’m done he’s good about putting it back in his room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828144 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:00:30 +0000 Mrs D 2828144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I apologize for not reading previous comments, but here is what our morning looks like.</p> <p>I wake between 5/5:30 depending on if I am working out, straightening my hair, showering, etc. I always shower straight away and try to get my hair dried before DD2 wakes. DD2 is the first to wake, she starts stirring between 615 and 630. The minute she is up I function at 50% efficiency. In the past I'd grab her by 630, she'd play with toys, watch tv (I'd only put on her shows if she sat down for them nicely - which virtually never happens).</p> <p>Other tasks I have to accomplish are packing my breakfast and lunch, prepping a car snack, and 2 mornings a week prepping both DDs lunches. I function at my best when I have everything ready to go when the girls awake, I simply focus them on getting dressed, hair done, shoes on and out the door.</p> <p>As I mentioned, DD was waking around 630...so I got her a Tot clock...it turns yellow when she can wake. She has toys in her crib (stuffies) and some books. She usually is up earlier now, but knows Mommy will get her when her clock is yellow. We function better this way.</p> <p>DD1 gets herself up and dressed and basically totally ready for school.</p> <p>DH is sleeping through all of this (he does Daycare pick ups and handles dinner until I get home between 615/630) its our trade off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828138 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:31:44 +0000 superkate 2828138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is two. He wakes up anytime from 5:15-6:15. </p> <p>DH and I start to give him breakfast when he wakes up (he's always hungry right away). I shower/get ready from 6:15-6:40. I then usually get DS dressed for the day while DH showers. I try and dry my hair about 7:05 or 7:10, as DH leaves at 7:15. I get everything I need for the day in the car and DS and I usually leave between 7:25-7:35.</p> <p>We often let him watch a little TV in the morning but we turn it off when he is outside with DH walking the dog. He doesn't seem to notice it's gone when he comes in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828136 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:28:19 +0000 erinbaderin 2828136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We get ready for work before the boys get up. This means that we get up at 5 so we can shower and get dressed, then my husband goes downstairs to feed the cats and start getting breakfast ready while I get the boys up. They’re allowed to watch tv while they eat but on an iPad at the table, so once they’re done and get down we shut it off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828133 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:25:03 +0000 buttermilk 2828133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD (almost 3yo) hangs in our bed while we drink coffee and milk together for 30 mins each morning. Then I get ready upstairs while DH fixed breakfast and packs lunches for us all. DD floats around the house, eating her breakfast downstairs or coming to visit me upstairs, or doing a jigsaw puzzle in the living room. Then I leave for work by 8:15 and DH does daycare drop off after that. He has a flexible schedule so doesn’t usually need to be anywhere until 10. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828132 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:21:07 +0000 Alba4 2828132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only shower at night and pack everything the night before. We are all out of the house by 7. We set our alarm for 5:40 and get dressed and ready. Boys wake up @6/6:15. They get dressed and eat breakfast. My husband does drop off and I leave for school. Out the door by 7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828124 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:12:08 +0000 josina 2828124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm solo in the morning since DH leaves at 5:30. Showering at night is not possible with my thin hair, but I only shower for 5 minutes.</p> <p>Luckily DD usually sleeps in, but DS (3-1/2) is almost always awake before 6. He gets milk (DH has that ready for him and in the fridge) and watches cartoons for a half hour and will then usually get up and play. We have locks on our exterior doors so he can't get outside, so there isn't much I have to worry about with him. </p> <p>If I were going to turn off the tv, then maybe I'd set aside a toy that he only gets to play with in the morning so it holds his attention? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-handle-mornings#post-2828121 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:08:16 +0000 kiddosc 2828121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Later bedtime doesn't impact her wake time. She's up consistently between 6-6:30 no matter when she went to bed. </p> <p>@MaryM: We eat after the kids go to bed too. So it's get home at night, play with the kids for a half hour, or go to an extra curricular, make the kids dinner, bathe them, put them to bed, then I workout (training for a half marathon), then we eat, then I get maybe a 1/2 to full hour to chill, then to bed. DH is doing dishes or making dinner while I work out and shares bedtime duties. We have enough time to do what we need to in the morning, we just need the kids occupied without being extremely hands on. </p>