what's your morning routine like?

I've never been a morning person & I realize that DD isn't either.
I usually take her out of the crib, she drinks milk while we watch an episode of mickey, eat breakfast & i chase her down to brush her hair & get her dressed.
This all sounds good but the whole thing is a battle from the minute I take her out of the crib it's "I'm not ready to get out, not those panties, another show, I want cereal not eggs"
I have to switch things up, what's your morning like?
Do all almost 3 yr olds fight every single thing no matter how you switch the routine?
I'm thinking of cutting out the tv but I kinda hate to because I love that time we have together to relax before we get going.

Re: what's your morning routine like?

Well, I have a kindergartner who we have to get to the bus- so it can be a little rushed!

The battling thing is a 3-4 year old issue, I am afraid. You can pick out outfits ahead of time, or put out a couple and let her pick. Same with breakfast!

The tv sounds okay. I don't think taking it away will make a difference. But maybe read a book or two together too? That can have a calming effect.


Days can be long with little ones. My four year old has been so whiny lately.

She sounds cute. With boys, I don't have to brush hair, but my little guy always has sticky hands or goop on his mouth, and he runs away and screams when I attempt to wipe his face.

Re: what's your morning routine like?

We leave by 7:20

I get up at 545 and shower and hope to be ready by the time the first kid wakes but doesn't always happen

If my 3 year olds aren't up by 645 I open their doors and open their blinds. They sometimes are slow to get up.

I pick out DDs clothes the night before giving her choices because she can be a big pain and always wants to wear certain dresses.

While they are slowly waking up I pour mils for everyone, pack up my lunch (make night before) and pack and food I may be sending with them to my moms

Get twins up and brush their teeth. Start getting them dressed (they help a little)

Whenever my 14 mo old gets up I get him dressed and give him his milk.

Twins get their own shoes and start putting them on put baby's shoes on and out the door!

I only put the tv on if they wake up early while I'm getting ready otherwise it's too hard to get them to leave.

what's your morning routine like?

DD starts waking up around 6:30 but I usually don't get her till around 7. We both need time to wake up a little. We both kind of enjoy some quiet time in the morning so she watches some tv while I have my coffee for 45 minutes or so. She wakes up dry so I don't even change her, really just give her a drink and let her be. If she wants to be social great, if not we just sit together and get some cuddles in. After that, it's diaper change, breakfast, then she plays, watches some tv, and hovers while I shower and get ready. Get her dressed last usually, clean a bit, throw in a load of laundry, and we're usually out the door.

what's your morning routine like?

I get up at 6:30, shower. DD is 3, wakes around 7 while I'm getting ready. She jumps in my bed and watches a show while eating yogurt and dry cereal.
I lay out her clothes, make her lunch. DH comes home at 7:30 when I leave for work. He gets her dressed and they leave for daycare at 9

Re: what's your morning routine like?

That was my life...and then came the sticker chart! I made a chart of everything that needs to get done in the morning before we can have fun. If she does each thing without a fight, she gets a sticker, and a certain amount of stickers = a prize (something small that usually get thrown out in a few days, a larger sticker, glow stick, something that won't clutter my house long term ;) )

The biggest thing was that she got into a routine and now does it without the sticker, which really only took a week or two. I couldn't stand the battles anymore, it was so stressed by 8am. I feel like she knows what is expected of her now and does it. I'm a big believer (recently) in setting an expectation and rewarding it positively in same way when it is met. We start the same way though, we do potty, breakfast, 1 TV (I have coffee!) and then off to the chart!

My DD is almost 3 by the way, so close in age to yours. I also let her pick out her own clothes, I just guide her, telling her pants, long sleeve, short sleeve, etc. That helped SOOO much.

I completely relate to your frustration and feeling like you're at war. Someone gave me this suggestion, hope it can help you too!

Re: what's your morning routine like?

Have her pick out her clothes the night before. I would keep the TV show, DD was horrible in the mornings, then I started to wake her earlier and let her watch 1 show. It was a big difference, she has time to sit and wake up. After her show is over she gets dressed, brushes her teeth and hair. If we are running late I have a brush in the car and she brushes it then lol

My kids eat at daycare, so we don't have to do breakfast.

Some mornings go smoother than others.

Re: what's your morning routine like?

I think I need a sticker chart!
Great idea, thanks!

Re: what's your morning routine like?

During the week our schedule is always different because DH works different hours. DD is 16 months. I always have her clothes and diaper bag ready the night before. I am always up at 5 so I can do what I have to do before she gets up. Most times she gets up around 6/630 and everything is done. On the weekend, she gets up around 6/630 and I bring her in bed to cudldle for a while.

Re: what's your morning routine like?

I'd let her sleep later and cut out the TV.