If your mornings tend to feel a little chaotic, you’re not alone. Between missing shoes, forgotten homework and everyone trying to get out of the door at the same time, mornings can be hectic for many families. Luckily, there’s good news: smoother mornings are possible, but they start the night before. It may sound simple, but just a few mindful evening habits built into your family’s routine can make things feel much more organized and consistent. Here are five easy ones to try:
1. Stick to a Consistent Bedtime
A simple way to think about creating a smoother family routine is to work backwards. Start by setting a time when the day should end. A consistent bedtime ensures that each family member gets enough sleep, which helps regulate mood, boost energy and improve focus the next day. It also gives everyone a clear idea of when all of their tasks and chores for the day need to be done, helping with time management. Try creating a bedtime ritual with calming wind-down activities, like reading a book or doing a breathing exercise.
2. Limit Screen Time
This one is easier said than done, especially when the couch and a good TV show are calling your family’s name after a long day. But screens stimulate the brain in ways that can make it more difficult to wind down come bedtime, and the effects are even more pronounced in children. Setting a household screen-off time at least one hour before bed can make a huge difference in how well everyone sleeps and how rested they feel in the morning. Instead of framing it as a restriction, try thinking of it as quality time. Try playing a quick board game or card game, putting together a puzzle, coloring or drawing, or having family storytime.
3. Get Set Up for the Next Day
Regardless of what you have going on the next day, whether it’s school, church or a social gathering, having everything set up the night before can make a huge difference in how the day gets started. All it takes is 10-15 minutes in the evenings. Say goodbye to frantically searching for something to wear or quickly throwing lunches together. Here’s what prepping for the next day can look like:
- Laying out outfits for each family member
- Packing backpacks, bags and lunches
- Checking schedules for appointments, practices or deadlines
- Prepping ingredients for breakfast
4. Have an Evening Check-In
Between school, work, activities and everything else the day can bring, a little time to discuss and decompress can lighten the mental load. Whether you sit down and have a conversation during dinner or take just a few minutes to talk before bed, having an evening check-in about what happened that day gets everybody reflecting on the positive moments and releasing the stressful ones. Ask questions like:
- What was your favorite part of today?
- What was the most challenging part of today?
- What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
5. End the Night with Gratitude and Prayer
There’s something special and grounding about rounding out the day with a moment of gratitude and prayer. It keeps faith at the forefront of your family’s routine and reminds everyone to remain trusting in God. Just before you turn off the lights and fall asleep, gather together to say a family prayer. It may help to start by reading a couple of quick Bible verses. Incorporating prayer into your family’s routine also means making room for peaceful moments and mindfulness, both of which make the day feel that much smoother.
St. Charles Borromeo is a private school located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando that is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn how we embody all the values of a strong Catholic education by visiting our website or contacting us here.