I Don’t Want My Slow Mornings to End! 5 Ways to Ease into The Back-to-School Transition.

Ugh the time has come…

The time has come to go back to school after the Christmas break. For some this is great- a time to get back into routine and have some normality back. For others this transition is a really hard one and the thought of those rushed mornings and having to be out the door by a certain time and have everyone ready and organised – is a lot to think about. Then of course there are a few that are somewhere in the middle – looking forward to getting back into the swing of things but also finding that transition tough.

I am wanting a snow day…. or two. Just a few extra days of my lazy slow mornings. I love getting up naturally, sitting with my morning coffee and not asking my kids to get dressed a million times (The asking is a million times, not the getting dressed a million times, just once is fine).

So in this blog I have decided to share 5 ways you can ease back into this routine, and I’m writing this list for myself as much as I am for you. This is a transition I am finding particularly hard this year. My kids never like going back to school, be it after a break or a weekend, but I’m finding it tough because the break didn’t look how I wanted it to look.

I was suppose to be in England visiting my sister with my mum. I was meant to be enjoying time with them, seeing the Blackpool Illuminations just like I used to when I was a kid, we were going to go watch Sonic 3. There was so much I wanted to do, but we’ve been home most of the time as I’ve been really sick with the Flu.

I feel much better now, but not completely. I am still feeling a bit low energy and achey. So I want to hold on to rest and a slower pace. So here is what I will be doing to make this transition a little smoother for myself and for the kids.

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1. Set Up a Gentle Morning Routine

I don’t want to jump out of bed and start doing the things we need to do to get ready straight away. I want a gentle start, and I’m not talking about getting up at 5am here to make it happen, but maybe getting up 15 minutes earlier atleast to allow space for a gentle awakening. This gentle morning routine can be your very own before the kids wake up or something you practice together.

If you download my Family emotional regulation toolkit, you’ll have access to my better mornings tapping which is a tapping for parents wanting to start their day with calm – you can do this in bed before your feet even hit the ground.

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2. Prepare the Night Before

Morning routines always start the night before. Getting enough sleep for one is a great way to start your day right. There is nothing worse than starting the day from a place of ‘not enough’ – not enough sleep, not enough time, not enough energy etc.

Getting enough sleep is crucial, what ever that looks like for you. It also helps to prepare everything you possibly can for the morning ahead of time – packed lunches, clothes, even breakfast. The less you have to do and the less decisions you have to make the better.

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3. Prioritize Connection Over Perfection

This one is hard sometimes, especially if you do find yourself in a rush but prioritize connection. I literally go into a state of panic and I feel it in my body, trying to get everyone ready – but when I remind myself to slow down and I actually connect with the kids, help them where they need it or just take a moment to laugh or joke with with – things get done quicker and I don’t pass my stress on to the kids.

This is my biggest thing to work on to be honest. I hate being late and my body acts as if I am getting chased by a bear. This is why I love the slow mornings without the demands – my body just feels so much more at ease. So I am going to be working on my own calm, and sharing that calm by being a more connected and present parent in the morning.

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4. Add Playfulness to the Routine

This is much like I just shared with the connection, a bit of playfulness can make so much difference and again keep those stress levels down! How you add playfulness is up to you really. Whether that’s a little morning dance party, a game or just some general silliness.

We quite often add playfulness into our walk to school. Playing games such as ‘ruin my wish’ where one person is the genie and the other makes a wish. The genie then says “Your wish is granted BUT….” and then they completely ruin the wish. For example if you were to say “I wish I had a pizza.” – The genie could then say “Your wish is granted but it’s broccoli pizza and that’s all you have to eat forever….

Honestly, my brain has shut down a bit today so maybe that’s not the most imaginative one… usually the kids ruin my wish by making me naked or something – “Your wish is granted and you can fly but only naked….”. Yeh, it get’s really silly and the stuff they come out with is hilarious. It’s a simple game and makes the walk to school quite entertaining.

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5. Use Emotional Regulation Tools for Everyone

Mornings can be overwhelming and overstimulating – taking time to practice ways to bring calm to your body is always a good idea, even something as simple as taking a few breaths together.

One thing we started to do was taking 3 slow intentional breaths together as we are about to leave the house – because this is usually the MOST stressful moment (Just hurry up and put the damn shoes on!!!). So instead of leaving with that rushed chaotic energy, we can pause together, take a breath and then head out. It’s not going to make us any later, it’s only 3 breaths right, and it can change the whole mood – especially if things have got a little stressful.

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Facing the Transition with Confidence

Even after writing that I feel a little bit better about the mornings to come. I hope after reading it you feel the same way! I hope your mornings are smooth and your coffee is strong. Good luck out there, you’ve got this!

Click here to grab your free toolkit and start your mornings with more calm and connection!

How are you feeling about the back to school transition?

Are you ready for it or wishing you had a few extra days? Comment below or come and connect with me over on Tik Tok here.