Shower Power!

The kids and I have been studying diligence over the last two weeks and I've been convicted that 1.) we aren't getting up early enough and 2.) when we do wake up, we're too sleepy to be much good for anything.  I guess I'm a morning person.  I'm worthless at night for just about anything other than reading (or blogging :).  But, when I wake up in the morning, I'm ready for the day.  I've noticed, though, that my kids do not share my morning gene. 

So, what's the problem with being a little foggy in the morning?  The problem is, we begin our day with devotions first thing in the morning because I feel like God's Word should be FIRST in our day, not what's leftover, if we get to it.  The problem with reading the Bible and working on Scripture memory and character training first thing in the morning is that my kids really haven't been at their best for the most important part of our day.  I needed a solution.  I needed them to become morning people.  Here's what I came up with: 

Not exactly an original solution, I know.  I've started waking them up about 15 minutes earlier (6:30 instead of 6:45) and throwing them in the shower.  Guess what?  It works like a charm.  Those extra 15 minutes are paying dividends BIG TIME!  They're making their beds now as soon as they wake up (the girls take turns in the shower so while one showers the other one makes her bed and lays her clothes out.)  They're also getting dressed before our morning devotions.  This means that half their morning chores are already done before 7 am!  It also means they're awake for Bible time and then Greek. 

I'm thrilled with the change and the kids are happy, too.  A shower first thing in the morning wakes them up and gets all of us off to a good start each day!