 When you say "Good morning!" at your house, is it really a good start to the day? Does your child begrudgingly wake up, struggle to get out of bed, and hit the snooze button repeatedly? If mornings are challenging for your child, you can help them start the day more positively. Reflect on their morning routine and think about how you can support them in making a few simple changes to start their day mindfully. Involve them in the process and offer them choices to help them understand that how they begin their day can significantly influence how it unfolds. It's important to consider that some children naturally struggle with transitions, including moving from sleep to wake. Acknowledging this challenge and bringing awareness to it can be the first step. Rather than just trying to think positively, it’s important to approach mornings with patience, care, and collaboration. Finding common ground and discovering what motivates the child to start their day in a way that feels good to them can make all the difference. Here are three key areas to empower your child to start their day with more intention and choice: MINDSET When your child's alarm goes off, what are their automatic thoughts? Do they wish for more time in bed or feel it’s unfair to have to get up? Exploring their wake-up mindset can reveal how these initial thoughts might set them off on the wrong foot. Resisting the reality of starting the day can increase their discomfort and dread. Neuroscience shows that where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connections grow. If their attention is focused on negative thoughts each morning, those neural pathways strengthen, making it harder to break out of a negative mindset. By intentionally focusing on gratitude or positive thinking, they can develop stronger, more positive neural pathways. You can help them shift their mindset by discussing positive prompts as soon as they wake up. Encourage them to think of three things they appreciate, focus on one thing they’re looking forward to, or set an intention for the day. Starting the morning with a positive mindset can significantly impact their energy and motivation for the rest of the day. BUILD BODY AWARENESS How does your child's body feel when they first wake up? If they feel sluggish or low on energy, suggest they try 5 minutes of stretching and deep breathing while still in bed. This simple practice can boost blood flow and circulation, sending oxygen to the brain. They might be surprised at how much more energized they feel from just a few minutes of movement and breathing before getting out of bed. USE MUSIC Music can be a great way to help your child start their day with more energy. Science shows that songs with a building melody, positive lyrics, and a strong beat can boost both energy and mood. Encourage them to play energizing music as they wake up. We’ve created a Spotify playlist to get them started, but they might also enjoy making their own wake-up playlist. Who knows, they might even be inspired to dance—movement in the morning is a fantastic way to kick off the day! Talk with your child about how they’d like to begin their day and make a plan together. By taking just a few minutes each morning to start the day intentionally, you can help them replace old habits that lead to stressful mornings and set a positive tone for the day. Empower them to begin their day with purpose and clarity. AUTHOR Jen Rapanos, LMSW Child & Adolescent Therapist Well-Bean, PLLC Copyright 2021 Well-Bean, PLLC. All rights reserved. www.wellbean.us
Comments are closed.
|