Chris Minogue has more than 30 year’s experience as a mothercraft nurse. I host a weekly helpline. Sleep is one of the most frequently asked questions by parents. The truth about early mornings after kids is often asked, especially by parents who call every few months and ask about their child waking up at 6am.
The parent asks, “How can I make them sleep until 7 am?”
I’m unable to help but laugh incredulously at this point. You might want to drench me in cold water if you find me a snobbish parent. Listen to me before you grab that water jug. Let me share some “early morning truth bombs” I’ve discovered over the last six years as a parent, and four years of answering similar questions.
1. There is a point when you cannot resettle a child
Chris has answered many of the questions that we have received. It seems like there is a window in the 24-hour cycle when children can be re-settled. It’s reasonable to try to get a child or baby to sleep at 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Unfortunately, the 6 a.m. hour is a time that cannot be changed. Many families consider this time of day to be acceptable because the sun is usually up. It’s almost like there’s a universal unwritten law that says children will not go back to bed after 6 am, unless they are teenagers.
Who knows? It’s important to remember that once the clock hits 6 a.m., it’s the perfect time to embrace morning.
2. Time is relative
You probably know what I’m talking about if you are a parent and have complained that your child wakes up at six in the morning. If you’ve complained to another parent about getting breakfast delivered in bed, they may have looked at you like you were just complaining.
Some babies and children can sleep until 6 am.
For someone else, what you perceive as an early morning wake-up might be a long sleep-in. Try to see your early wake-up as a blessing, a precious childhood moment.
3. You can’t make a child sleep in
You may still be unconvinced. You might still be unconvinced. You may argue that “every family is different.”
What I am talking about is parents of toddlers who have stopped taking their daytime nap. It doesn’t matter if you sing lullabies or bribe your child with sweets. You can even try playing Pink Floyd repeatedly. There is no magical formula that will make a child sleep longer.
4. Not All Bad News
Parents who have been around for a while often comment that their children grow up too fast. You may be feeling like you have been a parent for an eternity, due to how much sleep you are in desperate need of. One day, you will be screaming at your kids to get up by 11 am.
One of our most treasured memories was lying on the floor together with my babies, in the early morning light. My eyes hurt and I wanted more sleep. But those moments of quiet, staring into one another’s eyes, were priceless.
My children still wake up with the sun, but now I can tell them they can watch TV. (Judge me, I don’t care about sleep.)
After having children, many parents claim they will never be able to sleep again. Although there is some truth in this statement, you should note that sleep does not always remain as difficult as it was when your baby was a newborn.
You’ll find that your new morning routine has many benefits if you accept it as a part of parenting. Enjoy the early mornings. Rediscover the joys of cartoons. Appreciate the beauty of the mornings.
It’s often not as bad as you think.
Learn how to master the morning routine with your kids
How to get your kids up and ready for the day?
Get Up at 4 A.M.
Just kidding! It’s kind of true! It’s no easy task to get my family dressed, fed, packed and out of the door each morning. Timing is key when both parents are working full-time.
No room for error.
After five years of mornings spent with three children, I have a few tricks to share that I’ve learned. I hope they will make your life easier.
Tip 1 – Get up early
I almost meant it when I said that the part at 4 a.m. was important. My best advice would be to get up before the children. It’s hard to believe that you can enjoy quiet time while doing things with a cup of coffee. I look forward to the morning alone time, as it’s usually the only time of the day when I am completely by myself.
The time that you should wake up depends upon several factors, including how long you take to get ready, when you have to leave and what time your children usually awake. Thanks to Sleep Programs, my kids have a pretty good sleep pattern. My kids are generally on a good sleep schedule (thanks to our Sleep Programs!
I wear makeup so I allow 15 minutes. I also factor in 10 minutes to shower, 5 to dress, and 5 more minutes to do my hair (let’s face it, a ponytail usually is all I can manage!). After adding some time to chill out and catch up on social media I need to wake up at around 6:15 am.
That’s fine with me. This gives me a nice feeling of easing into the day. The kids will be ready to go when they come out of their bedrooms at 7 am (and I do mean charging). The next hour will be spent getting everyone else ready.
Tip 2: Lists
Yep, lists.
Lists and more lists
You’ll have noticed that I love lists if you’ve ever read my blog on Going Away With Kids. I used to have a good memory. After having a child, my memory began to deteriorate.
There’s no sense in trying to remember all the details after three children. I use lists a lot. My kitchen wall is covered with a list titled “THE MORNING”. True story. Even the color is coded!
The morning routine is filled with a multitude of tasks. This list grows exponentially when school-aged children are involved. If I didn’t have my morning list, it would be impossible for me to remember essentials such as swimming gear or spare clothing for my toddler.
The list is divided into four sections, each with a sub-list:
- Lunches – Items for their lunchboxes
- Bags – Items to include in the bag for school, like books or notices
- Kids’ Essential Tasks, like dressing and brushing their teeth.
- Household items: Items such as taking out the garbage or running the dishwasher.
If I go through each item in sequence–methodically and ritualistically–things go smoothly. The consequences of skipping any steps can be catastrophic.
Place your lists in a visible place. Even if your children are old enough to help, you could create a separate list of morning chores.
Tip 3: Split the load
Share the work if there is more than one parent in the home, or older children. If it helps, write down your routine. My husband and I share a morning task that looks like this:
I can enjoy my “me time” while he gets up early to unpack the dishwasher and watch the news.
“How did you sleep?” “Okay, you?” How did you sleep?”
My husband prepares their cereal while I make their lunches. As a lunchbox nerd, I spend a lot of time making sure their meals are nutritious and tasty! Preparing lunches and storing them in the refrigerator the night before can save you time.
My husband dresses the children after breakfast while I feed my baby and clean the kitchen. We’ll occasionally watch a little TV while we finish our last-minute chores. The baby is dressed and changed at some point. Her big sister will often help with her morning solids.
We all miraculously end up in the same car at exactly the time I planned. Everyone is happy, fed, and clothed–except Mr. 3, who insists that he wear his dinosaur slippers even though he’s two.
Sizes are too small. This is a true story.
Even though mornings can feel chaotic, lists, shared responsibilities, and a routine make a huge difference. I don’t feel like I am racing against time, forgetting things, or being late. It’s empowering to start your day with a list of accomplishments.
You’ll be happy if you can find socks that match!
Embrace the Early Morning Madness
Mornings with children can be chaotic and full of energy, but also a time for bonding and connection. Every early morning wake-up is an opportunity to make lasting memories with your kids and establish routines they will carry into adulthood.
Let’s enjoy the small moments as we get through these hectic mornings – the giggles and the shared breakfasts. Also, don’t forget the chaos that comes with choosing clothes. The foundation of your family’s life will be shaped by these fleeting years, so embrace the chaos with a sense humor.
You’ll discover the beauty of the early mornings by letting go and accepting the chaos. Each parent faces challenges. Learning to appreciate small victories makes the journey worth it.
Next time you wake up at 6 am, don’t regret the sleep that was lost. Instead, enjoy those quiet moments spent with your child. Each day brings a new adventure, filled with laughter, love and the unpredictable joy of parenting.
Conclusion
Early mornings can be overwhelming for parents, but they also provide a unique opportunity to connect with their children, grow, and create cherished memories. It’s important to embrace parenthood’s unpredictable nature as you navigate the chaos of getting everyone ready, fed and out the door.
You can cultivate a positive attitude by accepting the fact that some children will rise early, and their sleep patterns may fluctuate. Try to see these mornings not as a burden but rather as an opportunity to enjoy the quiet moments, laughter and shared chaos of family life.
You can make your mornings more enjoyable by implementing strategies such as waking up earlier, creating lists and sharing responsibility. Each phase of parenting has its joys and challenges. The early years are exhausting but fleeting.
Hold on to the small victories as you begin this journey and cherish those special moments. You and your children can cherish these moments. Next time you’re awake at 6 in the morning, just take a deep breathe, smile and embrace your beautiful mess that is parenthood. These are the moments which will shape your family’s story.
