High Five

Since I didn’t have a house update for you this week, I thought I’d switch things up with a motherhood post!

I follow a girl named Lindsey Wilkins over on Instagram and awhile back she shared something that has drastically changed our mornings and I hope it will help yours too!

It’s called a High Five and now that we’ve been doing it consistently for about a year, I can honestly say that as simple as it sounds it really does help!

I know right now everyone is staying home for the most part, but this time last year I was working outside of the house at my husband’s family-owned paint store which meant I had to get my very-exhausted pregnant self and both kids out of the house and at work by 7:00 AM during the week. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, each morning was miserable and completely draining.

I still wasn’t joyous to wake them up every single morning, but once we implemented this new routine it really helped! Even now that we can sleep in every morning if we want (or rather THEY can sleep in), we still use this to help our transitions go smoother!

Here’s how it works: List five things for your child to do and once they’re completed, they come get a high five from you…. it’s really that simple!

We’ve adapted this to work for any time of day or time we’re transitioning to something else. It helps the kids learn independence and gives me the time to get myself ready.

I’ll list a few of our go-to high five routines for you, but the best part is that it’s completely what YOU need!

If we’re going somewhere in the morning.

1. Go potty
2. Brush your teeth & hair
3. Get your clothes on
4. Take your medicine
5. Pack your bag

If we’re staying home in the morning.

1. Brush your teeth & hair
2. Get your clothes on
3. Take your medicine
4. Make your bed
5. Pick out a book

Before dinner.

1. Pick up 5 toys
2. Clear the table of any school work or crafts
3. Fix drinks
4. Set the table
5. Wash your hands

Bedtime.

1. Go potty
2. Take your medicine
3. Brush your teeth
4. Get jammies on
5. Pick out a book

Transitioning to school time.

1. Clear off the table
2. Fill up your water bottle (Anyone else have extremely thirsty kids when it’s time to do something?)
3. Set your school books at your seat
4. Put the pencil/crayon basket on the table
5. Draw a picture in your notebook while you wait on me

At first they needed frequent reminding of their five items, but now they can typically do it on their own without help from me. It’s still a bit chaotic anytime we are trying to get out the door, but this helps keep me from completely going crazy… most of the time!

I realize that this probably isn’t mind-blowing for anyone but me so thanks for giving it a read anyway! Hopefully I’ll have a house update soon! Until then, what is your favorite parenting or just life in general “hack?”