Do This and Your Kids Will Wake Up Happy Every Day

Are your kids not morning people? Maybe wake up like a grump monster? One of mine does, but it’s not a little grouchy, she is like grumpy cat times 10,000,000. I used to struggle every single morning to get her up, which is challenging since her dad travels a bunch.

The light from the window was too bright. She was too tired.  The Rice Krispies were too soggy. I picked the wrong socks, and no matter what I did she still was in the worst mood ever.

Until I started doing these three things.

Sure I scoured blogs and talked to our occupational therapist who helps us with her Proprioceptive Disorder (SPD), but ultimately after eight years of trial and error, this is what works for us.

So if you too are struggling to create a peaceful morning routine, or even just wake your kid up without a fight, try these three things and your kids will wake up happy every day!

Three Easy Ways to Ensure Your Kids Wake Up Happy

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Remember the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. I’m like him but with sleep, my husband calls me the Sleep Nazi. (Yes I sleep trained.) Kids always need more sleep than you think they do. If your child is struggling in the morning, put them to bed earlier that night. I’m serious, it works.

Our children are creatures of habit and thrive on routines. And giving them just 10 more minutes each night to stay up and read, or play their iPad can really throw off their sleep rhythms. Our daughter used to go to bed at 8:00 pm, but then stay up until 9:00 pm and then she was overtired and couldn’t fall asleep. So by moving her back to lights out at 8:30 pm, she now sleeps like a dream.

If your child is struggling each morning, try moving back bedtime in 15 minutes increments. And I know, you have soccer, and baseball, and all the things. But this year we cut back to just one after school activity until we could get her on a great schedule. Oh, and by the way, she loves using a meditation app on her iPad each night. She doesn’t get iPad time except for that during the school week.

Wake Them Up With Music

Our girls love music. They are addicted to One Direction, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and the rest of the teeny bopper artists. If they aren’t talking, they’re singing. I swear their mouths never stop moving. So one morning I decided to try to wake her up with a soft rendition of Phillip Phillips “Home”. She loved it.

The quiet music soothed her and helped her slowly wake up, and now I actually go in there a few minutes earlier so she can listen to a couple songs. She clearly isn’t a morning person, and she thrives when she can have a few minutes alone in the morning. Just like her mama!

Peppermint Oil

Yes, friends, I use essential oils. I’m crunchy and love oils for just about everything. They help me with my anxiety, cramps, headaches and everything in between. And Peppermint Oil is just a little slice of heaven in the morning. I have a diffuser in the kitchen and when the girls come in for breakfast they smell that uplifting peppermint scent and it really helps to wake them up and get moving. Sometimes they like to mix it with lemon and lavender too for a little extra energy. But if you haven’t tried oils yet, I highly suggest stocking up on peppermint. It’s really motivating! (If you want to try oils START HERE!)

If you’re not sure you want to do all three of these things at once then start slow. Try using music in the morning, and if that doesn’t wake your little sleep monkey, then maybe try moving bedtime back. Figure out what works best for your family, and once you have the perfect formula stick to it. Good luck and hope your mornings become a little more peaceful and your kids wake up happy every day!

Did you like this post? Then please follow along on Facebook! You might also like Top 5 Tips for Easier School Mornings. 

Or Why Our Kids Only Do One After School Activity!