| Every sort of publication carries what might be called stock
articles: sports fans are treated to in-depth coverage of the NFL draft process,
those who follow current events get yet another analysis of bureaucratic
gridlock, and the readers of family magazines are given hints on how to deal
with what is called the morning rush.
Last month, a morning rush article in a leading magazine offered as one
suggestion that parents put a bowl and box of cereal on the kitchen table, so
children could make their own meal. I must admit to being repelled by that
notion. Equally unacceptable to me was the idea of stocking packaged, prepared
foods which could be consumed in the car whilst being driven to school.
As a former teacher, I know the importance of students having a good breakfast,
and arriving in the classroom in a relaxed state, ready for the business of
learning. This is a value which will serve them, and all of us for a lifetime.
There are skills which are critical to any profession; for academics, one of
those is time and task management. A tardy teacher is unemployed, ditto for one
who is unprepared. Indeed, since lesson plans and syllabi must be submitted for
approval well in advance of an actual class, improvisation is not an option.
Were we all born punctual and organized? Goodness no, those are skills we
acquired, and which may be learned by anyone. Are we going to deal with the
entire topic in one column? Again no, but I will offer a few practices which, if
implemented, will help you obviate, rather than deal with, the morning rush.
1. Figure the time at which you must rise in the morning to do all necessary
tasks, have a good breakfast, and get to shul, work or school in a punctual,
relaxed fashion. Set your clock at least 30 minutes ahead of the foregoing
estimate, so that you are never caught unaware by a traffic jam, or plumbing
disaster. Count backward from that hour to establish a bedtime which allows you
to get eight hours of sleep. If that means you go to bed at nine o'clock, so be
it.
2. Learn to operate your video recorder, so as to never stay up late because of
a television program. At the same time, learn how to set the time on your
coffeemaker, so the pot is already brewed when you wake.
3. Shower before bed, and adopt a hairstyle which makes that possible. As a
corollary to this, choose your clothing at night, so that you may slip into it
as soon as you waken. Do laundry only once a week, so there is no question about
the availability of garments or linens.
4. Sitting down to breakfast is a must. If you or anyone else thinks they aren't
ready for food that early, force the issue. Breakfast serves a dual purpose,
setting both a healthy blood sugar level and attitude for the day. For children
with many after-school activities and much homework, this may be the only real
opportunity to have a bit of unpressured family time. Do not let teen-agers
decide that this time must be used for extra grooming or uncompleted homework
from the previous day.
5. Set aside the amount of Sunday time needed to shop, do errands, and perhaps
make some of the coming week's dinners. Believe it or not, you can do all of
that before noon, then go out together and enjoy the rest of the day as a
family.
6. Learn to ignore fake emergencies. Unfinished projects are not emergencies,
but bad planning. If Johnny doesn't have his cupcakes or photocopies for class
because he forgot to tell you, then let him deal with it. Next time, he will
remember. If you can't wear your best business suit, because you forgot to iron
it, wear your second-best, and don't let it happen again.
7. Do not allow a peaceful morning routine to lapse for any reason short of a
heart attack. If you can start the day rested, well-nourished and heartened with
loving conversation; then almost anything can be managed.
Does this sound impossible? You can do every bit of it. Happiness in the morning
will strengthen you to last the whole day through.
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