Dear Miriam Community,

There is much excitement in the air about our BBQ and Variety Show at the High School on Friday, and the Art Festival and Talent Show at the Lower Middle School next Friday, April 17th. Many of our students come to us afraid to make eye contact or say hello, and then by this time of year, they are on stage singing their favorite Taylor Swift song or playing the piano, and there are tears of joy running down the faces of the crowd who know how much each of these children has overcome. 

When we consider the growth and opportunities that Miriam provides to our untraditional learners, the title of the Minds in Bloom Gala is even more apropos. Miriam's children blossom in their own way here, and for most, growth comes in fits and spurts rather than in a straight line. But as they blossom, the result is beautiful.

As the days get longer and kids are out later, playing or doing their after-school activities, naturally, many are going to bed a little later. This means that mornings can be tougher! I think one of the hardest daily challenges as a parent is getting your children out the door and to school every day. When my children were younger, despite my very best efforts and organization with multiple children, it felt like I was herding cats.

We would get into the car, and I would run back and forth, grabbing a forgotten lunch box, water bottles, or a library book. Most often, what was sacrificed was what I needed for myself: my coffee, lunch, computer charger, etc.

Here are a few ideas that helped us survive and then even embrace those chaotic mornings. We found that following a strong routine and allowing everyone to have time to transition (kids' behavior tends to be worse when they are rushed) made all the difference.

• Have your children set out their clothes the night before. For kids who have a hard time choosing clothes, choose outfits for the entire week on Sunday night. There are some great 5-shelf closet organizers. Label the days (this also helps them learn to sequence the days of the week). Choose outfits, underwear, and socks, and place them on the shelves. When your children are in elementary school, this will help them remember specific items, such as sneakers and gym clothes, on PE days. For a while, we used cubby shelves large enough to store musical instruments or sports uniforms when they were needed.
   
• Create a landing spot for your children when they come home so that after backpacks, shoes, and diaper bags are hung up, items can be replaced and cleaned out, and then everything is in the “launch site” for the next morning.
   
• Help your child wake up happy. Give them a warning (or even an alarm clock when they are older), play their favorite music, turn on the lights, and give them time to transition from sleep to wakefulness. I used to think my kids needed to sleep as long as possible before I would hurry them up and out the door. I found allowing for that 15-20 minutes of wake-up time made a huge difference in the morning with fewer tears and tantrums.
   
• Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day. For children who take medication, they may not feel hungry for snacks or lunch until later, so this is the time to try to get healthy food into their bellies. If at all possible, try to pair your child's breakfast with some protein, as it helps prevent a blood sugar crash later. We made smoothies for years because our kids could have some cereal at home and then could sip them as we drove to their childcare centers and schools. Based on some stinky experience, remember to rinse those cups out!
   
• Develop checklists for your children. You can even create a picture checklist for young children who don't read yet. Instead of being the human tape recorder, refer to the checklist to remind them to get dressed, put on their shoes, eat their breakfast, brush their teeth, and comb their hair. After they master a simple checklist and can manage their time, add possible chores like feeding the family pet, making their bed, putting breakfast dishes in the sink, turning out the lights, etc. Celebrate your kids when they follow it without prompting. This is a wonderful life skill for them to have!
   
• Understand that although mornings may be chock full of hurdles and challenges, these days do not last forever. Quality time in the morning drive doesn't have to be elaborate or perfect, but remember it's time to be with your kids and set them on the path for a good day. When you say bye-bye, look them in the eyes and let them know you love them.

Wishing you sunshine as your children blossom in in the craziest of mornings,
 

Meg Bamford, Head of Miriam School and Learning Center