Recent research tells us what any mother already knows (www.helpforadd.com/2006/november.htm) – that getting ADD kids up and out the door is the most stressful part of the day. (Don’t you just love those “duh” discoveries!) The researchers defined “getting ready” as “preparing for an upcoming activity or making the transition from one task to the next.”
You have no doubt heard the real estate rule – location, location, location. Well, the rule for getting ready is “routines, routines, routines!” Come to embrace routines as your friend, not your enemy! To establish and maintain a morning routine is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and your family. Herewith a few tips on a morning routine for ADD survival:
- Eliminate all controllable distracters:
a. No TV, period!
b. No computer games, e-mail, or IM – period!
c. A and B apply to everyone, not just the kids.
- Train yourself and the children in a 15-minute night-time prep routine. Here’s an example:
- Offer no more than two healthy breakfast choices.
- Create a launch site near the door. A launch site is where everything one needs to depart is kept (e.g., backpacks, keys, glasses, lunch bags). Keep it simple but appealing. For example, a plastic bin or milk crate for each family member. A hook for keys. (I strongly recommend a “signature color” for each family member that can be used for quick identification of all sorts of objects.)
- Make a departure checklist for each person, including yourself. Keep the list short and sweet, but list each essential task separately. For little ones, the checklist can be pictures combined with simple words. The checklist should be posted in several places with an analog clock nearby.
The beauty of the checklist is that it eliminates the need to “nag” about each item. Either the entire checklist is done, or the child is not ready to go. You may decide to have a Reward System* (strongly recommended) for occasions when your child completes the checklist with minimal prompting and is ready to depart on time (e.g., points for extra screen time or additional allowance).
If you don’t already have a morning routine that is working well for your family, I encourage you to make a new year’s resolution to create one. When a Reward System is built in, the kids are likely to become very motivated to help with the process. See tip on Making New Year’s Resolutions You Can Keep for help in getting started and staying motivated.
* Next week's tip : Reward Systems That Work
