by Amy
My dad is an early riser...no I mean early riser! And, since he lives in a pretty big house with my sound-sleeping-mama, so he's not the quietest early riser you've ever met....
Well, ever since my parents left, LAST MARCH, my kids have been waking up early! (Thanks, Dad!) It all began when they heard Papa grinding coffee beans at 5:30am, and stumbling around in the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. When you know such a fun Papa's awake just on the other side of the door, it's hard to go back to sleep. So a new habit was formed! (I remember living in Louisville and all of my kids would sleep until 8 or 8:30am! -- Those were the days...) Since March, my kids -- especially my boys -- have been waking up about 6am! YIKES!! That's what time Brad gets up .... (He makes the coffee and brings me a fresh, hot cup to wake me! -- What a man!!) It was not uncommon for him to stumble out of bed and find a kid or two sitting on the couch, in the dark, waiting for him. ~ Craziness!
And since the kids are up early, it's hard for me and Brad to read and do the other things we like to do in the morning before the kids wake up. So, we came up with morning baskets. All three of my kids each have their own basket with a Kid's Bible and some quite activities that I change out weekly. So, when my kids wake up, they get their morning basket and play quietly and contently while Brad and I read, drink our coffee, and get ready for the day. There are many mornings that I don't even know what time my kids wake up.
These are a few things they have had in their baskets: puzzles, connect-the-dots coloring books (for Savannah), Color-wonder coloring books (for the boys), stickers and sticker books, Mr. Potato head farm, etc. And, the rule is, that when it's in the morning basket, they are not allowed to play with it during other parts of the day.
Now, that our kids are going to school every afternoon, nap time is from 12:30-2:00 in our house. Peter is rarely tired by 12:30 so doesn't usually sleep. (Alex loves to sleep and often asks to take a nap before lunch!) So, that has lead to them sleeping a little later in the mornings -- maybe 7am, but the Morning Baskets are still loved and used!
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2 comments:
What a fabulous idea, Morello! One would think that my son, having an entire morning "room" to play in, would be able to stay in there until it's time to get up. But maybe a basket, that I leave out at night when I tuck him in, would keep him quiet and busy. I'll let you know. ;)
Jessica Bonura boasted of you that you are one of the most on-top-of-it & organized moms around. After your last few posts, I'm starting to agree and am certainly looking forward to learning from you. Hooray!
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