Early to bed, early to rise
Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise
Makes a mama patient, cheerful and easy on the eyes. :)
As much as I hate mornings, I have to admit that getting up early (which means, up and ready and on the move before the kids wake up) really does make a difference in my day. I am more in control of my to-do list, my emotions, and our schedule. However, on the days that I get up with the kids, I am draggy and basically reacting to their needs and wants; those are my most unproductive days.
A friend of mine (Tracey) once said that if she gets up at the same time as her kids, she feels like she’s late to work. That registered with me: Being a homemaker/mom/homeschool teacher is my job. I wouldn’t have dreamt of showing up late when I was a government-school teacher; in fact I was there an hour early in order to be prepared for the day. Why am I not consistently doing the same for my own kids?!
I know that getting up before the rest of the family is a benefit to me: I am more cheerful and less stressed if I’ve had time to connect with God through uninterrupted prayer and Bible reading; I am highly motivated to take action on my to-do list if I have time to quietly look it over and prioritize; and I am happier to see my kids if I’ve had time alone, being ‘Tammy’ before being ‘Mommy’.
So, I want to develop the habit of getting up at a set time each day. Since Daylight Savings Time begins in less than a week– (Spring forward,) I’m going to have to do some adjusting. Each day this week I’ll set my alarm clock, and make a 15-minute daily adjustment to accomodate the upcoming time change:
- Monday, 7:00
- Tuesday, 6:45
- Wednesday, 6:30
- Thursday, 6:15
- Friday, 6:00
- Saturday, 5:45
- Sunday, 6:45 (same time to my body-clock as Saturday)
I think next week I may commit to 10 days at 6:45, but I have to get through this week first. Is anyone with me? Want to take the Early-to-Bed, Early-to-Rise Challenge?
March 2nd, 2009 at 08:04
well….hmmm….I guess I’m *with* you – in the fact that my children rise at 6:00 usually anyway – but I’m not/can’t rise earlier than them. I don’t get over the grouchy – I end up feeling sleep deprived. My solution to this dilemma is to make the kids stay in their room for the first 1/2 hour – I set a timer and they can’t come out until it goes off! :0) I even make Lillie join a brother for a little play time and I sit downstairs…away from the word “Moooommmm” for awhile.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:18
I started the exact same challenge last week… also starting with rising at 7:00. it’s awesome!!! Today I was even at the gym by 8:30. LOL. go us!!!!!
March 2nd, 2009 at 14:11
I will never be with you on that one. I would of never been late for work before staying at home, but I also got off work after 8 hours….so yeah, not getting up before I “have to” ;)