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Morning Madness?
Organizing Your Morning Routine
By Alina Kelly
"It's not uncommon for parents to wake kids up to moans and groans," says Polland. The goal is to create a situation where children can get themselves up so the day does not begin in a negative way. Polland suggests purchasing an alarm clock with an appealing chime or song of the child's choosing. If it's a clock radio, let the child choose the kind of music the alarm is set to play. Telling them they are big enough to get themselves up and get their own day started gives children a wonderful sense of autonomy.
"Positively managing the early morning routines can be enhanced dramatically if the adult rises before the child and prepares their day to exhibit a calming effect on the child when they awake and begin the morning process themselves," says Reedy. "If parents are rushed and unorganized themselves, it only magnifies the problem."
If children don't get enough sleep, they will tend to be grouchy or angry according to Polland, who has seen 7-, 8- and 9-year-old children fall asleep at their desks at school. This can be embarrassing in front of their peers. If they are continually sleep deprived, their immune systems will begin to break down, making them vulnerable to illness and infection.
Reworking the evening routine may help children get to bed on time and get a good night's sleep, suggests Polland. Emacs says that finding a routine that works is challenging. "I've told them they don't need to go to sleep, just to stay in their rooms quietly," says Emacs. "Instead, they make 20 trips to the bathroom to get a drink of water or socialize with each other, or they go into each other's rooms and talk."
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