Hellobee Boards

I let DD play in the bedroom when I get early (OH leaves for work before we wake up). She likes to play with shoes, make funny faces in the mirror, and pull clothes out of the hamper. We also do a lot of verses of "If you're happy and you know it".

If I'm going to be in the bathroom for a while, my kids like to play in the shower or tub.

Self-feeding snacks in the high chair or playing with toys in a baby-safe area. Sometimes opening up all the bottom cabinets in the kitchen but that's only if I'm feeling generous haha.

They eat their cup of yogurts

@HappyBaker: We play for about an hour and eat breakfast before work/daycare but while I am getting ready DS (one) sits in his pack n play and "reads" a book. Haha. It's working for now.

Could you try an "OK to Wake" clock? 5am is really freaking early. I'd see if it's possible to convince them they should spend some of that time chilling in crib/bed before getting up.

DH and I take turns in the morning. I get DD ready while DH gets himself ready, then DH takes DD to daycare while I get ready.

Pretend to put on makeup with me

Eat some Cheerios
Books
Just talk with me as I get ready

How old are your children?

Back then when DS was a lot younger, waking up early is actually not really an option because unlike your kids who would be content by themselves, mine would come wake us up.... at 5 if that's when he wakes up! We had (still have) an alarm clock that we can set to turn green at a certain time. If he wakes up and the sky is still dark, and the clock isn't green, that simply means it is still in the middle of the night and getting up is not an option. He just has to stay in bed. You can provide incentive by giving them a sticker on the calendar at the end of the day if they stay in bed until a certain time?

If he's a bit older, (3 and above), I actually had DS do a bit of chores: Get up, go to the bathroom, wash his hands, brush his teeth, change clothes (you can lay clothes out the night before). That buys you some time.

Nowadays (at almost 5 years old) if we have a bit of time to kill, we have a reading app on ipad, and he may read digital books while waiting for DH to get ready to take him to school. Or he would ask to play with his toys in his playroom.

I hope this helps!

She used to sleep until I was ready, so that was never an issue. Now to combat morning grouchiness (at nearly 5yo) I wake her when I wake and she can either opt to sleep until I'm done showering or she can start dressing herself and crawl in bed with DH. She is now responsible for dressing herself, and getting her shoes and coat.

What can you do at night? Is showering at night an option for you?

We had to cut all screens in the morning, so I feel your pain in giving them something to do while you're getting ready. Right now a Lego advent calendar is occupying my son in the mornings, but I don't know what we're going to do come January, lol.

@MrsADS: same with my 1 year old. No way would he be ok in a pack and play or closed off area. Mostly he stays with us in our room pulling things out of cabinets and messing with my hair/makeup stuff. It's a joy.

She plays or colors or finds things to putz around with. She's pretty good playing by herself when need be.

the hardest part may be the transition since they are used to watching tv at that time (and i totally don't blame you for using that--1 to 2 hours in the busy morning is a lot of time to kill for kids!). they will figure out something else to do, but there will probably be an adjustment, kinda like sleep training. you could help ease the pain by getting them something kinda new and fantastic to play with (holiday toys would be a great excuse to kick the screentime so they can have extra time with their new toys!).

you could also try starting to put limits around the morning screentime, like one show, that's it, if you complain, then no show tomorrow (i do this with my son a lot, ha!).