“When you’re in a dark place, you sometimes tend to think you’ve been buried. Perhaps you’ve been planted to BLOOM!”
Do you have times when it feels like things are piling up all around you and you find it hard to see through the overwhelm to the blessings happening to you?
What about your kids? Do they struggle with this sometimes, too?
Like us, so many of our kids are feeling the stress of today’s high-pressure, nonstop world.
Our instinct as parents is to do whatever it takes to shield our kids from the stress of the world.
But how will this serve them in the long run?
Instead, what if we taught them different things they can do to feel stronger and more emotionally capable of handling their stress and overwhelm?
The Power of a Morning Routine
When my kids were little, I struggled with overwhelm and energy issues — a lot. I figured it would be this way when I signed on to become a mom.
What I wasn’t prepared for is how busy it is now even though my kids are getting older and more independent. It feels like our family life continues to get busier!
My boys get to bed later, so I get to bed later. And because I’m busy cramming “work” into the small window of time that my boys are at school, I typically wake up even more tired than I did when they were little.
But the payoff of dragging myself out of bed 20-30 minutes earlier to practice my morning routine pays off in dividends!
Here are just a few things I’ve experienced since I started my morning ritual:
- I feel like I’m in control of my life rather than under the control of my life.
- It’s the only time of my day when I allow myself to completely let go of all of my worries and concerns.
- It helps me become a more mindful, more patient, more loving, more connected Mama.
- It boosts my mood.
- It increases my productivity level.
- It helps me live my life in alignment with my values.
- My spiritual health, which I now realize is at the core of my whole health, is better than it’s been my entire life.
- It’s opened my eyes to the magic and wonder of all the good that’s so easily missed but is happening around us all the time.
Here’s the article that was published in Inspiring Lives Magazine where I outline the 11 easy steps YOU can take to create YOUR morning routine and reclaim your personal power!
Why Not Share This With My Boys??
So here I am, dying to write about my experience on my blog in hopes that moms like you will carve out time in your mornings so YOU, too, can experience some similar benefits!
Then one day, I was sitting on the toilet in my bathroom (just keepin’ it real) reading my Daily Word. What I read totally resonated with me and got me all fired up.
I immediately took note that I would copy and paste it to send to a friend of mine who I knew would respond the same. And then I heard myself say out loud, “Gosh, I wish I had learned this stuff when I was a kid!”
HELLO!!!
Needless to say, that was the first day of my boys’ morning routine that I’m so passionate about now because …
They’re learning how to tune into themselves and attend to their needs BEFORE they tune into the world’s needs! — Self-Care
They’re learning to ground themselves with their breath! — Stress Management
They’re learning how to live with intention! — Personal Development
They’re learning to see the Magic through the Mundane! — Positive Psychology
A Glimpse Into Our Morning Routine
Each morning, I select an uplifting song. I’m compiling a pretty good list now, but if you have any suggestions, please share in the comments below!
With the music playing, I take a turn tiptoeing into each one of their rooms. I sit down on their beds, rub their heads and hug them while they wake up to the words of the song (and some Mama love).
Then I read an affirmative verse that I write for them each morning. I read one line or phrase at a time and they repeat it out loud as I go.
Tip: Saying an affirmation aloud so you can hear it in your own voice is a strategy for making affirmations more meaningful and therefore, more effective!
7 Steps to Creating a Morning Routine for Your Kids!
Here are 7 Steps you can use to create a morning routine You can do with YOUR kids!
Step 1: Turn on an inspiring song.
Suggestion: “Stand in the Light,” by Jordan Smith
Step 2: Sit down on your child’s bed and let him/her wake up to the music.
Step 3 (optional): Once he/she is awake, walk into the bathroom and stand in front of a mirror. Or, stay in their bed!
Step 4: At the same time, take a slow, deep inhale. Hold for a second or two and then release your breath slowly. Teach them that they can use this style of breathing to calm and relax them anytime they need it during their day.
Step 5: Read an affirmation like this out loud, one line at a time. Ask your child to repeat each phrase.
(If you would like me to send you more affirmations, send me an message here.)
Today, and every day, I remember that I am Love.
I am worthy and deserving of love.
I freely and easily share loving words and offer acts of kindness to others.
Thank you for this blessed day!
~Pamela Power Scanlon, M.S.
Step 6: Give your child a moment to allow the words to sink into his/her hearts and minds.
Step 7: Hug your child and then smile, Mama. You’re empowering your child to live a happy, healthy life!
We’re now on Day 50 and still going strong.
In case you’re curious, my boys are 12 going on 13, 11 and 7. My 7-year old doesn’t always repeat the affirmation. But he listens with openness and curiosity. And he LOVES waking up to the music! My middle and older son say it with me and take in every word.
The Result
This is a text I received from my oldest son that he sent me when he got on the school bus about four days into our routine:
“Mommy, I feel so good today. Like SO good! I just wanted you to know. Thank you. I love you SO MUCH!”
Mamas, it’s so worth it!
I truly believe we can make a difference in our children’s abilities to better manage their feelings of overwhelm — so they can feel healthier and happier from the inside out — if we empower them to start their day in a positive way.
I’d love to hear your comments, ideas and experiences! Share below.
