5 Ways to Simplify Your Mornings with Children + Giveaway #FlipTopFrenzyFree

Mornings in our house are CRA.ZY!  No matter what time we get up, we always seem to be running behind.  And I hate being late.  So I am always working to simplify our morning routine and organize our schedule so that the mornings are less insane.

We are also working really hard to teach our children responsibility and accountability!  So I use my morning routine as a way to teach my children to be accountable and responsible too!  Today I am excited to share 5 Ways to Simplify Your Mornings with Children!  

Set an Alarm Clock

Give your children each an alarm clock and help them set it.  If they have their own alarm clock, they become accountable for getting out of bed in the morning, not you.  Plus I've never met a young child who doesn't love an alarm clock!  (Teenagers and adults hate them, but kids love them!)

Set out Clothes the Night Before

Especially if you have a girl.  I don't know why, but my daughter can spend an hour picking out clothes in the morning!  If she sets them out the night before our mornings run a lot smoother.

Avoid Electronics

Our children have to ask to use electronics in our home.  And in our home, the answer is always no unless their morning routine is done.  (And even then it is often no!  But getting ready is always #1 on our list!)

Have a Morning  Routine

No matter the day, our children know that they need to get up, put clothes on, make their bed, brush their hair, eat breakfast and brush their teeth before they do anything else.  You can modify your routine to fit your family, but be sure to keep your children accountable to their routine prior to doing anything else and soon they will get up and ready for the day without you ever needing to ask or remind them!  (Until they are teenagers.)

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!  Set cereal out the night before and allow your children to serve themselves if they are old enough!  You can also put older children in charge of making breakfast too!

My 7 year old knows how to make oatmeal in the microwave which makes my morning easier and gives my daughter a sense of responsibility and allows her to feel big.  Teaching children how to cook simple foods like oatmeal builds confidence and allows them to learn new skills (making oatmeal involves a little bit of math and time telling)!

And since both of my children love oatmeal, this is a great way for my daughter to be able to serve and help her younger brother too.

My children both love putting berries, chocolate chips or brown sugar on their oatmeal and I've even found a way to help them accomplish this on their own!!

Berry Brown Sugar Oatmeal

• Instant Oatmeal
• Berries
• Domino Sugar Pourable Light Brown Sugar

1. Simply cook your oatmeal according to package directions either in the microwave or on the stove top.  
2. Cut up berries.
3. Place berries on oatmeal and sprinkle with brown sugar!

Domino Sugar has new Pourable containers for brown and white sugar and they are perfect for my independent children!  After they cook oatmeal, they are able to simply pour a little brown or white sugar on their oatmeal without my help and without making as much mess!

And they taste just as good as the sugar that comes in the big bulky awkward bags!

And in case you are looking for a few more great ideas to keep your mornings running smoothly, check out this cute infographic from Domino Sugar!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Winning entries will be verified.  This giveaway is in no way affiliated, administered or endorsed by Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.  No information will be disclosed to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram by entering this giveaway.  No purchase necessary to win.  Odds of winning are based on number of entrants.  Winner for prize package will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter.  Giveaway will run from March 10, 2014 at 6:30am EST until March 17, 2014 at 12:00am EST.  Winner will be announced on March 10, 2014 in this blog post and the winner will need to respond within 48 hours of announcement via email to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.  Winner must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen with a US mailing address in order to win.  Winner is responsible for paying any necessary taxes on winnings.  All prizes will be mailed / emailed / fulfilled by the sponsor and the blog owner(s) involved are not held responsible if the prize is not fulfilled.  A list of winners may be requested after the giveaway has ended.  Please email me with any questions or to obtain additional information at: [email protected]*

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