Tools That Helped My 8-Year Old Get Ready On Time
After being a mom for 8 years, I’ve picked up some practices and simple tools that have helped my 8 year old daughter get herself ready in the morning.
Anyone with kids know the challenge of getting ready and doing it ON TIME. Just a few months ago, I would have to wake up my daughter repeatedly. Then, I’d have to check in on her every 10 minutes to make sure that she was actually doing the things she needed to do, such as brushing her teeth, changing her clothes, washing her face, and making her bed. I hated being the nagging mom. I didn’t like how it felt for me and I hated how it felt for her. Being on her back wasn’t doing us any favors and we’d end the morning in a chaotic and stressed mood. Instead, what I wanted was to have a peaceful grounding morning with my daughter and while teaching her how to be responsible and manage her time. So here’s what I did:
#1: We got a kid’s alarm clock - one that lights up and has soothing alarm sounds that will wake her up in the morning peacefully. I gave her some options of alarm clock colors to choose from because she loves being a part of the process, which made her excited to help me set up the alarm clock and use it. We choose the sound for the alarm, we talked about the time she wanted to be woken up and every night, she chooses the color for her night light. Oh yes, it functions as a night light too! Making her a part of the process from start to finish made her want to use the alarm clock. She feels invested in making this work.
#2: We got a timer. Not a digital timer. A simple wind-up timer that she can quickly use herself. And this one came in a cute cat design that she loves. One thing about my daughter is that she loves anything cute. I presented her with the different design options and the kitty design won her heart. There is one that looks like a dog, fox, pig so your little one will have fun choosing what they like. Again, getting her involved makes her excited and invested in using the timer.
#3: We made the agreement that if she has extra time after she has finished getting ready and eating her breakfast, then she can use that time as she pleases. This includes iPad time.
I implemented #1 and #3 first because the timer idea didn’t occur to me until recently. We did have success with just #1 and #3 but once I implemented #2, life was transformed! #2 truly was really a game changer. On the very first day we used it, she was ready 30 minutes before we had to be out the door. Now we use the timer for other things, like to get ready for bed, or to make sure she doesn’t go over her iPad time. It’s so much easier for her to wind the timer than for me to go into my phone and use the timer there. She and I both have visibility on the time.
I hope this helps you all as much as it has helped and continues to help us. I’m so happy that my daughter now feels empowered, responsible, and accountable every day. I am very proud of her.
