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Mornings can be hectic for any family, but for those with neurodivergent children, they can involve extra layers of challenges and stress.
Picture this: you’re rushing to get breakfast on the table, your child refuses to get out of bed, and the clock ticks louder with every passing minute. Let’s explore how applying the 9 Cs can transform your mornings from stress to smooth.
A Tale of Two Mornings:
Imagine a typical chaotic morning: It starts with multiple attempts to wake your child, each more frustrating than the last. Breakfast is a blur of spilt milk and complaining that the eggs are yucky. As you finally head out the door, your child realizes they’ve forgotten their homework, and tears start to flow—yours and theirs. The drive to school is quiet, each of you overwhelmed by the stress and frustration that has become a routine part of your morning.
The Dream Outcome:
Now, envision a much smoother morning with less stress and more joy. You wake up before your child, enjoying a few moments of peace before starting the day. Using a cue-up strategy, your child follows a visual schedule, dresses, and packs their bag without needing multiple prompts. Breakfast is calm, filled with conversation and connection. You leave the house on time, feeling relaxed and prepared for the day ahead. This isn’t just a dream; it’s entirely achievable with the right approach.
Let’s dive into the 9 Cs that provide practical suggestions for a stress-free morning.
These strategies are designed to help you and your child have a smoother start to the day, enhancing independence, reducing stress, and building vital life skills:
- Calmness – Embrace a peaceful start to reduce morning stress.
- Curiosity – Understand the ‘whys’ behind behaviors to tailor the routine.
- Cue-up – Set up the night before for a smoother morning.
- Consistency – Maintain a regular routine for predictability.
- Clarity – Communicate expectations clearly and effectively.
- Connection – Ensure emotional support through meaningful interactions.
- Concretize – Use visuals to outline the morning steps clearly.
- Communication – Opt for guiding over commanding to foster independence.
- Choice – Provide options to empower your child’s decision-making.
Transitioning from the dreaded,stressful rush to the dream outcome may seem daunting, but with these nine strategies, it’s entirely within reach. They offer a structured way to support your neurodivergent child’s in developing key executive functioning and life skills, ensuring mornings become a time of growth and connection rather than stress and overwhelm.
Ready to transform your mornings? Download our comprehensive free guide, “9 Practical Ways to Have a Stress-Free Start to Your Morning with Your Neurodivergent Child…and Build Important Executive Functioning and Life Skills.” This resource goes deeper into each strategy, providing more insights and practical tips.
Want even more practical tips? Watch our Workshop Replay: Practical Strategies to Boost Executive Functioning and Reduce Stress in Everyday Routines and Activities. Access the replay now!