How Pre-planning Ended Our Morning Struggles

The ability to choose and change is a gift, especially since so many of our habits and identities that we're walking around with, we're just not consciously chosen by us. What do I mean by that? 

As parents, we consciously want to show our children to be positive. We want to show them that it’s a choice and that’s what we want to model. But sometimes, life just happens. Instances such as kids are struggling to get up in the morning, they fuss about the clothes they’ll wear or they keep complaining about breakfast. As much as you want to be that parent who smiles and stays happy, you can still feel the pressure and stress and it takes away your joy.

But what if I say that it doesn't have to be this way? What if I say that there is an end to the struggle? What if I say that I have a solution for you? 

 In this episode, I want to share with you how I dealt with these struggles through pre-planning.

How I Practiced Pre-planning For My Family

Pre-planning simply means planning. It has been a game-changer with getting my kids ready for school in the morning. It used to be a constant battle, but not anymore. It has made such a great transition in the morning. And it has saved us a lot of brain energy. 

There are two things that we have been doing. One is planning our clothes ready for five days, to avoid unnecessary fuss getting ready in the morning. And the second one is meal plans. In planning our clothes, I involved my little one. And what I've learned is when you include them in planning, your life becomes so much easier and they feel like they matter and they feel their choices matter. It helps them build confidence and independence. 

And in pre-planning meal plans, what I do is have this blank calendar where I will write down what we’re eating for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner. I don’t cook ahead of time but just pre-plan them. We also try to avoid any processed or pre-cooked food that is purchased from outside. 

Pre-planning our clothes and pre-planning our meals helps us avoid the guesswork and we don't waste our brain energy in the morning. Our mornings are easier and we get to avoid the struggles we usually had.

Be Open To Try New Things

Try it out for your family because this might work for your family. It doesn't hurt to try new things. When we try these different routines and habits, you never know what might stick with you, what might feel better, what might bring you more joy, and what might help you be more present. Pre-planning made me feel more attuned to my kids' needs regularly. Try it too, who knows, this might also be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.