How to Wake Up Kids in the Morning

Even if parents are not challenged by getting their kids to go to bed at night, they are often fighting the battle of getting them up in the morning. Once children become elementary school age, it is important that they start learning that they need to get up at a certain time, because of responsibilities and obligations.

For those fighting this morning issue, take comfort in knowing that there is hope! Children can easily be encouraged to get up at a set time each morning. But it will take a little effort – and patience – on your part to get them to that point.

How to Help Kids Fall Asleep Fast

Most children with healthy sleep habits are fast asleep within 10 minutes or so of their head hitting the pillow. But many children have difficulty falling asleep, and may even keep getting out of bed for various reasons.

A Morning Routine is Key to Wake Kids Up On Time

One of the most effective ways to start getting elementary school-aged kids up at a set time in the morning is to put the responsibility on them. Many parents make the mistake of taking it on themselves for far too many years, which leads to a lot of stress. Start by having a talk with your child about the importance of getting up on time in the morning, so that they make it to school, soccer practice, or whatever their destination may be. Then show them how to be successful at following through with this new responsibility.

Some things to keep in mind in getting your child to get out of bed include:

• Putting more of the responsibility of getting out of bed on time on the child will teach them a skill they can use for a lifetime.
• It is always helpful for children to have a bedtime routine, and this includes going to bed and getting up at around the same time each day. If they want to get up later, they may need to start going to bed earlier, so that they can get the recommended 9-12 hours of sleep that they should be getting each night.
• Next, after discussing their new responsibility with them, let them pick out a new alarm clock and learn how to set it and shut it off. This will give them an incentive and provide the added help that even we adults need.
• If you need to, implement a rewards program that will give them some type of incentive for consistently getting out of bed on time.

Kids Learn from Consequences

While parents may cringe at the thought, letting their child miss soccer practice, rather than fight with them to get up promptly, may help them learn a valuable lesson. If the event they will miss is not a crucial one, it may be a good idea to resist stepping in, and instead let them miss the event, due to their not getting up.

Children can learn to get up on time. But it takes being consistent, establishing a routine, teaching them the importance of what they need to do, and putting the main responsibility on them to do it. With a little effort and patience, the battle will be won!