
Mornings: A Comedy of Chaos
Let’s set the scene: The alarm goes off. You hit snooze (just once, you swear). Fast forward 20 minutes, and suddenly, your house is an action movie. You’re dodging Legos, pouring cereal with one hand, and using your “mom voice” (you know the one) to get your 7-year-old out of bed. Meanwhile, they’re staring at their sock as if they’ve never seen one before.
Sound familiar? If your mornings feel like an Olympic sport where no one wins, you’re not alone. The morning rush with a 7-year-old can be brutal, but there’s good news—there’s a way to make it smoother. Not perfect (let’s be real), but smoother. And it all comes down to understanding why mornings are such a struggle and how we can outsmart the chaos.
Why Are Mornings So Hard for 7-Year-Olds?

The short answer? Their brains are still warming up.
The long answer? Seven-year-olds are in a unique developmental stage where independence is blossoming, but time management skills? Not so much. They want to do things themselves but get distracted by the very important task of watching dust particles float in the sunlight. Their executive functioning skills (the brain’s little CEO in charge of planning, remembering, and staying on task) are still in development.
Translation: They are not in a rush. But you are. And that’s where the morning battle begins.
The Science of Routines (AKA, Your Secret Weapon)
Research backs up what every parent has learned the hard way: kids thrive on routines. A study from the Journal of Family Psychology found that consistent routines help children feel more secure, improve emotional regulation, and even boost academic success. Basically, the more predictable the morning, the less resistance you’ll get.
Think of it like a well-rehearsed play. If they know what’s coming next, there’s less room for stalling, whining, or pretending they forgot how to brush their teeth.

The Fix: A Morning Routine That Works for Them
Here’s the thing—most morning routines are designed for adults (who already know how to function in the morning). A successful kid-friendly routine? It has to work with their brain, not against it.

1. Start the Night Before (Because Mornings Are Too Late)
Pick out clothes together the night before (to avoid morning fashion meltdowns).
Pack backpacks and lunchboxes before bedtime.
Get them involved! Kids love control—so let them be the ones to check their “morning checklist” (bonus: stickers make everything fun).
2. Make Wake-Up Time Less Miserable
No one likes being jolted awake—especially kids. Try a gradual wake-up with soft lights or a fun song.
Give them something to look forward to (even if it’s as simple as their favorite breakfast or a few minutes of cuddles).
Get in your five minutes of Happy Time play before school! Just a few minutes of non-directive play gets the day going on a calm, positive note.
3. Keep It Visual
A simple checklist with pictures (teeth, clothes, breakfast, shoes, backpack) gives them independence without constant reminders.
Pro tip: A timer works wonders. (“Let’s see if you can get dressed before this song ends!”)
4. Avoid the “Morning Power Struggle”
Instead of nagging, offer choices: “Do you want to brush your teeth first or get dressed first?” (Same outcome, but they feel in control.)
Set clear expectations: “Once you’re dressed and ready, you can have five minutes of playtime before we leave.”
The Reality Check
Even with the best routine, some mornings will still feel like a sitcom gone wrong. There will be missing shoes, forgotten homework, and last-minute bathroom emergencies. But with a solid plan, those chaotic mornings will become fewer and farther between. And hey, one day, we might even miss these wild mornings (or at least pretend we do).
Now, go forth and conquer the morning madness. Coffee first, of course.
Want more insights and tips like this? Check out our blog post on tantrums and helping kids adjust to a new sibling!