Mornings are for connection and creativity. I achieve this through morning rituals intentionally created for toddlers. It’s a house rule I made for our family. It isn’t far off from my “creative morning” mantra which I wholeheartedly lived by before having kids.
I find that we have a more peaceful day if we live in this way. The kids start with their cups full, which reduces meltdowns and tantrums. It also strengthens the bond we have. More importantly, it gives me a framework by which to structure my day. Time-blocking the morning for rituals that promote connection and creativity prevents me from fragmenting. I am able to give my all to my kids. And honestly, my cup starts full as well. So that later in the day, if something does invade my headspace, I don’t feel guilty about it.
Morning Rituals that Benefit Toddlers
I usually have a two hour wake window between when the kids wake and Zades’ first nap. During this time, we focus on togetherness. I wanted to instill in my kids this idea that we are a family unit. Connecting in those wee hours of the day sets the groundwork for living with this ethic.
Unlike routines which are habits built for efficiency, rituals are meaningful practices performed with a sense of purpose, intention and deep significance. There are many rituals that would increase connection with your toddler and young children. These are simply the ones that I cherish with my own. Rather than using it as a template for your morning, I hope you glean inspiration for your own household.
- Eat breakfast together. (Another one of my house rules is to eat at the table as a family unit as often as we can.) I try to prep it all before they wake up. Nothing too over-the-top. Trader Joe’s croissants thrown into an oven while I do a workout. Yogurt, granola and berries served into plastic bowls. Scrambled eggs and hashbrown heated in my Balmuda toaster. Mashed avocado or banana for Zades. And sometimes, just toast and butter. Of course, coffee always.
- Tidy the kitchen. Sometimes they play on our beloved floormat with toys that I store in baskets in the living room media cupboard. I cherish having a clean and tidy home. I find the kids are better adjusted when their environment isn’t so chaotic. As am I. This is a great opportunity to teach toddlers about stewardship. Casey has a hand brush and a dustpan tucked in the pantry. He grabs it to pick up crumbs from the floor. It takes him just long enough for me to put the dishes in the dishwasher.
- Get creative juices flowing. If I sense my oldest needs to get creative energy out of his system, we do things like have a dance party or make art through painting and drawing. If his energy is low we focus on connection, we cuddle on the couch and read books. And when it’s right in the middle, we have started to enjoy boardgames. His favorites are ConnectFour and First Orchard.
- Prepare little sister for her nap. Case helps me get Zades ready by carrying milk bottles upstairs, prepping milk using our BabyBrezza (so easy a toddler can do it!), handing me a new diaper, and turning on the sound machine. I like having my older toddler help with his little sister. This is a much-debated topic, but for our family, it was one of the tasks that connected him to his baby sister. I have to make sure we start the preparations early, before she gets overtired and cranky. It doesn’t feel good to rush a toddler into helping.
- Promote independent play. Giving toddlers space to practice independent play is so important. While I put his little sister down for her nap, Casey reads in his room or plays with his toys. I usually come back to find he has discovered some new way to play with his toys or lost in storyland.
- Spend 1-v-1 time. When our attention is divided, our toddlers can tell. It’s important to spend alone time with each kids. Zades’ nap routine is my 1-v-1 time with her. We cuddle on the rocking chair while she drinks a bottle of milk and I sing to her and hold her gaze until she falls asleep. Once the younger one is asleep, I spend 1-v-1 time with Casey. Sometimes we do things he likes that’s also helpful to me. We bake, prepare smoothies for his little sister, wash down the backyard with the hose, water the houseplant, or get ahead with the dinner prep. If there isn’t much housework to do, we get outside. We got this playhouse over the summer and he loves it.
By the time Zades wakes up from her first nap, both kids have filled their emotional cups enough to navigate the rest of the day.
I’d love to hear the morning rituals that you’ve created to foster connection and creativity with your kids!
Photo by Ксения Лапшина on Unsplash
