The tip I'm sharing does not, at first, seem unique, an alarm clock? "That's genius," you say, "why didn't I think of that?!!" Stay with me for a couple more seconds.
I'm talking getting an alarm clock for your 7 year old.
When my husband suggested the idea half-way through first grade last year, I was very skeptical. "Yeah, sure he can be responsible to set an alarm clock, turn it off when it beeps, and get himself up -- when he's 14, maybe, but not 7!" I said.
I was wrong.
My oldest loves the responsibility of the alarm and truly does set it the night before, turn it off when it beeps, get himself up, dress himself in the clothes hung on his closet door by his mama the night before, and come down for breakfast.
As a bonus, now that his sister has joined him at elementary school this year and can no longer sleep in, he wakes her up on his way by her room headed for breakfast, and she gets up and puts on the clothes hanging on her closet door! Two kids awake and dressed for the price of one alarm clock -- awesome!
And the bonus, bonus?
This morning, the 3 year old also had preschool, not until 9 o'clock, but still I set his clothes out the night before, too, just to keep myself organized, intending to dress him after the bigger kids left for school. But at 7:05 am both boys showed up in my bedroom fully dressed for the day! My 7 year old had dressed his little brother, too!
Now, if I could just get them to hang the hangars back up instead of throwing them on the floor. . .
hey ..gotta take what you can get..and that is awesome! great idea dad! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the SAME idea my mom gives lots of young moms about her HARD TO WAKE UP DAUGHTER... :-) Yep, me! I don't know WHY I haven't given my 10-year-old chip off the old block an alarm clock yet??? I need to get on that! Thanks for a great reminder!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great helper your 7 year old is! I can only imagine a day when my nearly-5 year old will dress himself independently and without an argument...
ReplyDeleteHe's his own alarm clock, never sleeping past 7:30 am, usually 6:45, even if we're all up late, or we're all sick, or I'm hung over from a special event (infrequent! but doesn't deter him, haha!) I can't imagine him needing an alarm clock. My daughter is the sleeper, like her mama, and I can see this tip really working for her in a few years!
My parents got me an alarm clock at seven and I always used it and set it myself.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were pondering the idea of getitng an alarm clock for my 5 year old and telling him he can't get up until the alarm goes off. The rule is supposed to be until there is a 7 in that first number spot on the clock...but he has a habit of still rising in the 6 oclock hour. Glad the alarm clock is working for you and I think I am going to really try hard to have the clothes picked out the night before and start this routine.
ReplyDeleteMy 2.5 year old daughter uses an alarm clock. She is an EARLY BIRD. She knows she can get up when she hears the music. It took some practice and patience but we now get to sleep in till 6AM during the week!!! (why am I excited that 6:00 is sleeping in? ugh)
ReplyDeleteWe've been considering one for our 7 year old to get her to sleep in on the weekends too. She gets really crabby if she doesn't get enough sleep, but seems to think that if she wakes up to go potty, it's time to get up. If we could get her to get up during the week for school with it, it would certainly make things for her dad who gets them ready.
ReplyDeletewe have alarm clocks, but still have to remind my 12 year old to GET UP!
ReplyDelete*blessings*
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http://bit.ly/9HFa6P
You know, we have an alarm clock in our son's room, but don't assume he's old enough to use it yet (just have it there for the time). We may have to try this!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I'm linking back to this post on Saturday during my round up post!
My oldest daughter (almost 9) has been begging for an alarm clock and I just look at her like she's crazy - I mean who in the world WANTS one? But maybe I should reconsider and get her one, but I'm wondering when the fun of it will wear off?? Probably just when she enters middle school and NEEDS one :-)
ReplyDeleteNever thought of it until now....maybe I'll try. Our soon-to-be 6yo is pretty good at moving when we go get him...I bet he could do it on his own.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that is so weird because I was thinking of getting an alarm clock for my seven year old- mainly to get rid of the nagging I have to do to get him out of bed. I'm trying it!
ReplyDeleteI am TOTALLY impressed. What a great big brother he is...not only getting himself up and ready, but the little brother too, and the little sister woke up. What a BIG help to his mama. You've got a realy sweetie there. This is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed...and making mental notes for when we reach this stage of life!!!
ReplyDeleteWe did this too and are loving it! My son is in kindergarten. His alarm clock turns on the radio at 6:15, and if he isn't out of bed by 6:30 we go get him, but more days than not he's gotten up after a few minutes. Now, if he'd just dress himself....
ReplyDelete