It's taken six months to fine tune, but James and I now have a morning routine that supports him and his hygiene goals. Also our collective sanity.
After several trials, I found this is our winning schedule:
- 7:00 - First wake-up check
- 7:10 - Second wake-up, with lights (if needed) and hygiene kit and clean clothes
- Check, clean and trim all digits
- Fresh clothes
- Wipes
- Pleasant, calm conversation
- 7:25 - Out in the breakfast area, eating set out meal
- Can check phone for text messages
- Take meds
- Put on shoes and jacket
- I prep his bag lunch and we prep his backpack with mask, water, & homework as needed
- 7:50 - Ready for school van pickup
Needless to say, it rarely goes like clockwork. That's not the goal. The goal is a routine to chart our morning course for a good start to the day. There is Wiggle Room built in, because: life, teens, autism.
When the morning routine hits all its beats on time (like this morning) I feel like bursting out into song.
