Hey mom! How are you? Grab a cup of coffee and let's chat.I stumbled upon some interesting reading awhile ago about waking up our kids. How we wake them up in the morning matters. We are setting the stage for their entire day. I never really thought of it that way, did you?
I mean, how do you wake up your kids? I know! It sounds like a silly question.
But do you go into Army mode with an "Up and at'em!" or do you let them just roll out of bed on their own accord? I would imagine you are somewhere in between because hey, sometimes there are time frames that those little minds may not have in complete focus. You know, school, church, etc. There are things to be done, places to go, and time lines to stick to...some days are tougher than others. I mean, some days are waaaay tough! Do you yank the sheets down and bellow, "Get up!"
When I read about how we wake up our kids matters I reflected on how I tend to wake up darling daughter and was happy that I was on the gentle spectrum. The side of waking with love versus stress. You see, I tend to go into her room about 15 minutes before I need to leave work. She likes to send me off to work each day and I love seeing her and going through our morning ritual. Come on, don't you love those hugs and kisses from your kiddo's too?!
So here is our routine:
Step 1: I go into her room and turn on her light, find her in her bed, and cuddle up to her smothering her with kisses and gentle "I love you"'s. Then I let her know where I am on my time frame as some days I am running late. It can be a "I'm about to take my shower" or "I will be leaving as soon as my coffee/shake is done" or "I'm running late and will be leaving very soon". Then with one final cuddle and kiss I leave her in her room. And to be completely honest, sometimes she moans I am too heavy or too sweaty.
Step 2: I go back into her room in the final minute or so and let her know I am leaving in a minute. Very seldom will I yell across the house. One, dear hubby is still in bed and two, it is just nicer to go to her, right?
Step 3: The I am leaving now message. Most days she is out before I get to this final phase but rarely I need to go back to her room and let her know. She will pull herself out of bed and is a happy camper once her feet hit the ground. Thank you God! If she isn't happy, something is up and I better be prepared!!!
On weekends, this changes up a bit. She tends to still be out of bed at the same time each day but since we are both early risers, I do not need to set the pace as much on the weekends. Thank goodness for that! I love that it gives her the freedom to stay resting in bed until her little heart is content and I have a bit more time to listen to the roosters, birds, rain, whatever during my morning workout.
I believe I adopted this wake-up strategy for her as it is one that works for me. I am a slow riser too even though I am an early riser. I never have been a hop out of bed type of gal although sometimes I wish I were. I have read that is better for you. Like ripping off a Band-Aid. Just get up and get moving. Don't delay.
Perhaps my snoozing is a bad thing but it works for me and the gentle wake-up seems to work for darling daughter too.
What works for you?
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for the bedtime feature on my phone with the soothing wake-up alarm for me.
Daily Bible Verse: Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
P.S. Did you know you can get a 6-day sampler pack of the shake I love with special add-on's from me? The cost is only $35 and includes shipping. Makes a great stocking stuffer! I only have two packs left so don't wait too long to email me and say, yay!
