How to Get Kids Up Early Without the Fuss

Encourage an Early Riser!

Getting up early for school or chores can be one of the biggest challenges in raising kids of any age, and is especially difficult after the holidays or long summer break when the regular routine is broken. If you're constantly faced with temper tantrums and anxiety-related issues in the morning hours, here are some ways to get kids up early without the fuss:

Get Kids Up Early with An Early Bedtime
Setting up a 'lights out' time-and sticking with it---is one of the best ways to instill a routine. Getting to bed early ensures your kids will get the recommended 8-9 hours of sleep befor eth enew day begins, and this in itself can prevent many mood swings and emotional problems in the wee morning hours.

Get Kids Up Early with A Breakfast Incentive
Breakfast doesn't have to center only around eating; it can be a great time for bonding as well, and you can make sure all (or most) family members gather at the breakfast table at a certain time so you don't miss this routine. A breakfast incentive can be anything from a quick puzzle, a trivia game, or even reading a comic or two together. Anything that gets their mind going before the day starts is a great way to keep them focused, and they'll start to count on this routine each day.

Get Kids Up Early with The One Minute Alarm Rule
Let your kids set their favorite alarm, but set a rule that they can't go back to bed by hitting the snooze button. Leave the alarm clock far from the bed as possible, and encourage them to get out of bed, and out of the room immediately to start the day; just make sure that slipping back to bed is not an option so they have only one minute to turn off the alarm and get ready.

Get Kids Up Early By Getting Up Early on Weekends Too
Sleeping in on the weekends isn't much of a luxury when you end up battling your way through the rest of the week because you don't have a routine. Routines need to be kept up with for maximum effect, and this can mean keeping up with a schedule on days off as well. Get up early on weekends but avoid the boredom train by scheduling fun activities during the morning hours.