My kids are immediately cranky and antagonistic toward each other when they wake up in the morning. Any advice on ways to help them into a positive mood first thing? Preferably while I sip coffee in peace for fifteen minutes? They are 5 and 7.

Question

Eric · Answer

Encouraging Positive Behavior: Warm Fuzzies Jar: This worked for us when our were around that age.. focusing on positive reinforcement vs punishing them for short comings.

Kate · Answer

Give them coffee too: or hot chocolate or little cups of herbal tea with a lot of milk and honey, maybe some Trader Joe’s croissants, and then play classical music in the background. Basically invite them into the peaceful routine. I have three teens who were once rowdy kids (I was a single mom looking for little breaks where I could find them)and I swear by this.(actual pic below)