Hectic Mornings for the Single Parent

by Elizabeth Kane, MA, Marriage and Family | More from this Blogger

After coming off of a long holiday break, today was back to school and back to work in our house. The kids were tired and still in vacation mode. I must admit that I was as well. After enjoying the luxury of sleeping in for a week, well at least until six in the morning, and taking my time in the morning, having to set the alarm and awake at five-thirty was not welcome this morning. However, I did rub my eyes, get myself out of bed, into a hot shower and finally found myself waking up.

The morning was pretty relaxed; I even made a nice breakfast for the kids to fill their bellies before we all headed out. Then just as I was putting away the morning breakfast dishes I looked up and saw that we all had to be out the door in fifteen-minutes. No big deal right? Wrong! My ten-year old had to get his teeth brushed and shoes on, my four-year-old was in her nightgown and was in her just woke up glory. I found myself feeling suddenly rushed and anxious, sounding like a drill sergeant telling the kids to move, move, move because we were so late. Did I mention I had to still put myself together as well?

I could have made my morning go a bit smoother had I made myself get moving a little faster, fed the children cereal instead of cooking a hot breakfast, got my four-year-old dressed before breakfast rather than waiting until after and I am sure a plethora of other small things. Planning ahead in anticipation of avoiding a hectic morning can be helpful but it is not always realistic.

My solution? When the morning rush gets to you and you feel your blood pressure rising and temper shortening give yourself a time out. Take a deep breath, relax and realize that when you are stressed you evoke feelings of stress in your children and everyone's day begins on the wrong foot. It is just one morning. Do what you can to make it smoother tomorrow but as for today, you made it through another morning! Take joy in small victories.

Learn more about Elizabeth Kane, MA, Marriage and Family

Elizabeth Kane lives in Newport Beach, California with her Husband and 3 children. Elizabeth works as a Marriage and Family Therapist-I.

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