It really doesn't matter whether I get up early or not because the
stress begins when the kids get up. Everyone needs to get dressed,
breakfasted, teeth brushed, hair combed, faces washed, lunches packed,
etc.
The funny thing is each and every morning my three adorable children
act as though this is the first run time we've done the morning
routine. I am seriously thinking about just letting things go tomorrow
to see how it works out. Maybe if I don't tell them to do all of these
things they will actually get done without my eye twitching. I have
found that by nine most mornings I am taking my first dose of Tylenol
for the day. Maybe this wouldn't be necessary if I just shut up and
let them run through it themselves.
After all I was a latch key kid and by the time I was in fourth grade,
like my eldest, I was responsible for all the above and by myself. My
parents had already left for work by the time I got up. I think of
this now and it seems ridiculous! I wouldn't leave my kids alone in
the morning! And yet, that was the norm when I grew up. I even walked
to school by myself and it was just under a mile. To think of that now
scares the pants of me. I did this for three years until I switched
schools and was required to take a bus.
What would happen if I let them start to take on more responsibility
in the morning? It might make for a few stressful days until they
learn the routine again. It might make for a much less stressed out
mom in then end. I might even get a cup of coffee and a chance to eat
my own breakfast before ten o' clock. I think I will run this
experiment and let you all know how it goes.
Until then keep on parenting!
