![]() Anderson adds that if a child is on the autism spectrum, mornings might be tougher because of a rigid adherence to rituals. Meanwhile, kids who are depressed may have difficulty getting out of bed, while those who are very anxious may refuse to do what’s required because they are avoiding something that is happening at school or even school itself.ĭr. “Kids with ADHD or behavioral issues may be much less likely to be able to maintain their focus on what they need to get done, remember what they need to get done, or may actually be defiant about getting things done like getting dressed, making their bed, taking a shower, brushing their teeth, or eating breakfast,” Dr. However, the stress quotient can rise among families with a child who has special needs. He says mornings are “definitely tough for most families we talk to,” whether the child has a psychiatric diagnosis or not. Anderson says one colleague calls times like school mornings-along with homework, transitioning from dinner and shower time to bedtime, and then actually getting kids to sleep-”frequent flyer situations,” when stress levels regularly reach their peak. ![]() “You have a number of things that have to get done,” he explains, “and there’s also a time limit.” Add to this the fact that parents sometimes feel their kids don’t appreciate the ticking clock while they’re trying to get everyone to school and work and you’ve got a pressure cooker that can, at its worst, lead to yelling, tears, and forgotten lunches.ĭr. What makes school mornings so hard? “They’re kind of like a perfect storm,” says David Anderson, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. And if your child consistently has trouble even getting out of bed or throws a tantrum every morning, getting professional support can help.ĭuring the school year, a cry is heard from parents across the land: Getting kids out the door Monday through Friday is a killer. Arguing wastes time and stresses kids out, making mornings even harder. Small rewards, like a special cereal for breakfast, can motivate them to stick to the plan.įinally, it helps a lot for parents to stay calm. Once kids have mastered the basics, you can try adding more tasks to the routine. 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. It also helps to focus on just the essential tasks, like getting dressed and brushing teeth. Over time, all kids can build routines that they can complete with less help. And visual prompts like posted schedules can help kids, especially those with ADHD or autism. For younger kids, it’s helpful to break tasks down into small steps and praise them when they do them successfully. Anything that you can do the night before will save time in the morning - packing lunches, taking showers, choosing clothes. ![]() And for children on the autism spectrum, small changes in routine can lead to conflict.īut whether or not your child has a mental health diagnosis, there are ways to make mornings easier and avoid conflict. ![]() Kids with anxiety or depression may have a hard time getting out of bed or managing their worries about school. Kids with ADHD or behavior issues may have trouble following instructions or focusing on what needs to get done. For kids with mental health or learning difficulties, it can be even harder. Getting everyone out the door in the morning is a challenge for lots of families.
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