Even though I don't do mornings well, my children do. We have always been huge respecters of bedtime. When our oldest was a toddler, our teacher friends put their son (who was the same age as our daughter) to bed at 6 p.m. It was necessary for their schedule, and worked for their family. Once my husband's work schedule changed we started putting kids to bed at 6:30 p.m. It was amazing, Mom and Dad had time together, mom got more done after the kids were in bed, and the kids were always well rested and (mostly) happy. There was that difficult time when they started to outgrow naps. We've adjusted as they got older, they stay up after 6:30 p.m. for various, individually appropriate times to read, study scriptures, journal, or work quietly (teens only).
So when my pre-teens and teens started waking up at 6 a.m. I was not surprised. They set their own alarms, get ready for the day, and start school early. When they don't feel like getting up at 6, they get up a little later, but everyone meets on Mom and Dad's bed at 6:45 a.m. (We've pushed that an hour later for summer)
I love the morning routine we've created! We all get up at our own times so we are mentally ready for family time at 6:45. We start our day together every day with scripture study. Everyone takes turns reading and we discuss portions as needed. Then we do our memorization box.
I think we all LOVE memorization. We have amassed a rather large selection of scriptures, poems, and a few quotes that we can recite.
After that we quickly discuss anything pertinent for the day and end with a family prayer. Then everyone is off to breakfast. The kids usually make breakfast, and they are great cooks! We finish whatever other little things we still need to do (brush teeth, hair, make beds, dishes, etc.) and we are ready to begin school.
I love how productive I feel when I get up early in the morning, and wish I was better at waking early and getting stuff done. But 6:30 seems to be my sweet spot. I want to get up earlier, but I just can't function. No matter, I'm thrilled that my kids are learning "early to bed, early to rise" is full of promise!
um....630 is waking up early. :) Now... if you said you couldn't get up before 9.... the important thing is.. you've found a system that works for you. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that you have found a system that works for your family and that your children are able to be independent within that framework.
ReplyDeleteI find that those hours after all the kids are in bed are invaluable to my well being! My husband and I enjoy that time together so much so that we are struggling to find a solution now that my kids are entering the teen years and an 8:30/ 9:00 bedtime seems just a bit too early for them.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea your whole family got up that early! I've been trying to get up earlier but am having trouble sticking to it. With my work situation it's too tempting to hit snooze a few more times.
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