5 Ways to Make the Most of Morning Routines

5 Ways to Make the Most of Morning Routines~ 
Written by Amber O’Neal Johnston from Heritage Mom

Almost everything about our homeschooling vibe has changed over the years. Some aspects of what we do and how we spend our time are radically different from the early days, and others have shifted only minimally.

But an enriching morning routine is one thing that remains unchanged for our family.

These days I easily wake before my children. But even in the years when I was roused only by tiny lip smacks, and pudgy fingers literally pried my eyes open, we connected around the kitchen table every morning. There’s just something about starting our day with a predictable and pleasant cadence that sets the tone for the rest of our lessons and casual family time.

What you do during your morning time routine doesn’t matter as much as who you’re doing it with.

Every family has different priorities and interests, but the rhythms that pull you and your children closer together are the ones that you want to savor and make space for. It is more important to make the most of morning routines that are meaningful to your family.

Here are five ways to make the most of morning routines:

1. Prioritize kitchen table connections.

It doesn’t literally have to be at the kitchen table; that’s just where my family lands because we start chatting while enjoying breakfast. The point is to decide that the first part of your school day is spent learning, sharing, and being together in an intentional way.

When homemaking, outside work, or other commitments are piled high and the to-do list feels overwhelming, the temptation always exists to ditch morning connection in favor of a math lesson.

The struggle is real, and I get it! But you’ll never regret choosing to linger longer with interesting ideas and your favorite people.

2. Have a plan, even if it’s loosey-goosey.

You don’t have to schedule your family’s mornings down to the minute, but having a general rhythm in place helps you prepare and get the most out of your time. Write down what you’d ideally like to do during your morning table (or sofa) time. You may want to touch on the same things daily or create an entirely different plan for each day.

In our home, we mix it up with a little of each. Devotional, singing, poetry, reading aloud, and current events daily. Other things get rotated weekly or even just sprinkled in here or there.

3. Include other people when the opportunity arises.

My husband is present for a bit of our table time many mornings, but we also love to have grandparents, other family members, or friends who are visiting pull up a chair and join in the fun. It’s definitely a case of the more, the merrier.

I think everyone who has had the opportunity to participate in our morning routine has walked away feeling uplifted and inspired, and my kids enjoy nothing more than sharing their lives and learning with others.

4. Involve your kids.

It would be so easy just to sit and talk at my kids for an hour each morning because I have so many things to share with them, but lectures don’t breed connection. By incorporating my kids’ ideas and preferences into our routine, we’ve created something special that consistently speaks to us all.

5. Remain flexible when real life interferes!

There are some seasons when gathering for a beautiful morning feast with tea flowing and children smiling just isn’t realistic. Thankfully, this is not an all-or-nothing proposition.

Do what you can, when you can, with the full understanding that another season will bring a fresh perspective and opportunities to expand on what you’ve started, even if only in your heart.

With these ideas in mind, we’ve enjoyed years of fulfilling mornings, and your family can too! Let this be an inspiration for you to make the most of morning routines in your homeschool.

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