The world we grew up in, no longer exists.
Our kids are living in a world of instant notifications, flexible work, and different rhythms. And I’ve realized something: once you’ve done what you have to do, there’s nothing wrong with doing the things you enjoy.
Our Morning System
In our house, mornings used to be chaotic, rushing, reminders, and sometimes meltdowns (from kids and parents), and a whole lot of yelling. So we tried something new and we’ve turned our school mornings into a quiet win, no more feeling like we are herding cats, or directing a hysterical stampede.
We came up with a simple system, which gives our kids six simple tasks that need to be done before school. They’re always the same, so there’s no guessing, and if they get done in time, they get to play video games (or do whatever they like):
- Make the bed and do 10 burpees
- Brush teeth and Wash face (shower if it wasn’t done the night before)
- Get dressed
- Eat breakfast
- Language practice: (Alphabet for the toddler, and Japanese for the middle schooler.) We use IXL and Duolingo
- Violin practice
Why it Works
This little system has been a game-changer in our house. And it turns out, other parents are trying it too. Kids thrive on predictability, and quick rewards like playtime keep them motivated.
Research shows that children respond positively to clear, visual routines and small rewards, and that is exactly what this morning system delivers.
To help streamline our system, we started to use a Skylight Calendar.
I mounted it on the wall between their bedroom and their bathroom, they’re able to check off their assigned tasks as they complete them. No nagging, no “Did you brush your teeth yet?” for the tenth time.
And here’s the deal: we have to leave the house at 8am, so the sooner they get done, the more time they have between then and 8am to play video games, LEGOs, reading or whatever they want.
So far it has been a game changer (pun intended)
What surprised me is how motivating and effective it’s been. Instead of dragging their feet, they push through, because to them, that extra time is like a little reward.
Even more rewarding for me is that I have noticed that my eldest now helps his younger brother with the teeth and getting dressed, so that they can blast through everything and be able to get a round of Mario Kart or Fortnite in before school.
And honestly? On top of there being less arguing, less rushing, and more calm… the fact that they are working together to accomplish a desired outcome…warms my heart.
The Skylight Calendar
For those who haven’t seen it, Skylight Calendar is a digital family organizer. Everyone gets their own color, tasks are visual, and kids love the satisfaction of tapping each task once they’ve completed it. They tap the screen and a checkmark appears next to the task.
Why We Love Skylight Calendar
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Clean, digital interface kids can use themselves.
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Visual checkmarks that give them a sense of progress.
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Family-shared view keeps everyone coordinated.
Cons of the Skylight Calendar
One feature I really liked is the built-in reward system, kids earn coins each time they check off a task or chore, and once they’ve saved enough, they can “buy” certain household privileges. The downside? It’s only available as part of a subscription. Honestly, it’s worth it, but after buying the calendar itself, I expected that feature to be included.
( I’ll drop the affiliate link here if you want to check it out).
The Truth About Parenting
Like everything in parenting, I don’t know if this will work forever. Kids grow, circumstances change, and sometimes what works one month doesn’t work the next.
So my plan is simple: keep what works, discard what doesn’t, and keep adjusting.
Because at the end of the day, I am just a guy trying to figure this dad thing out.
