The sun comes up WICKED early here people. I'm talking WICKED early. 5:30 and the sun is up, yelling at everyone to get up and get busy with their days.
I try to get up first. I have come to recognize that I am a person who needs independent moments ... quiet time to myself ... to just BE. That time - first thing in the morning - is crucial to how the rest of my day proceeds.
I view myself as the nucleus in our family. When I am calm, it is easier for the rest of the family to be calm. When I am happy and content, I am better prepared to help the rest of the clan also be willing to roll with the punches.
When I wake up late, or neglect myself first thing in the morning, it is obvious in the way our family interacts with each other the rest of that day. I try to keep an image in my head of protecting that inner cell ... ME ... so that every little fiber of energy and attitude that comes off of that tiny core, is healthy, productive and meaningful.
There are loads of days when I don't succeed at this attempt, but at least I try.
Anywhooooo.
I wanted to share a bit about our new morning routine.
We wake up the kids between 6:45 and 7:00. Breaakfast, getting dressed and then off to school. The littles are sharing a bedroom and seem to be loving it so far!
During the week, Todd usually leaves for work around the same time we do, so it's nice to all head out the door at the same time. His driver comes for him early and he simply and quietly waits for Todd to let him know he's ready to head out.
Rosy doesn't start her work day until 9:00, so it gives us great time in the mornings to spend with the kids. Todd or I cook/make/fix their breakfast and I get to have my coffee.
The birds are also in full swing early in the morning and it sounds nearly like home ... with some extra horn honking, yelling in Hindi and dogs barking from the street.
Mia has Daddy open the door for her and she fetches the morning paper for me. It is, after all "my job, Momma." When Tony tries to help by getting the paper from the front stoop, Mia chastises him and fights him for the privilege to bring her momma that newspaper!
When we walk out to leave for school, Kushal is just finishing the morning washing of the car (the car gets washed several times a day) and starts the A/C for us so our time in the heat is little to none. He helps the littles into the car, ensuring that they are buckled. After blowing kisses to Daddy through the windows, we are off.
We drive to the boys' school first ... Terran walks Tony into the campus and accompanies him to the elementary wing of the school grounds.
Kushal and I then head back in the same direction from "whence we came" to drop Mia at her school.
I am now kid-less. I read the paper or a book in the car (right now I'm reading Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri) while Kushal navigates the streets. Then because nothing is yet open, we either head home or these past couple of mornings, I've been toolin' around town at some of the morning coffees held for expat women. Another great option for the early mornings is the lounge on school campus. Wi-fi, quiet space and another great opportunity to meet new people. If I go home, I catch up on emails, maybe start the beginnings of a blog post, and have some more coffee.
Around 10:30 or so is when it's time to hit the markets.
I love the markets, and even though I often get a raised eyebrow when I profess my love for some of the less desirable markets (i.e. fly-infested, dirty, smelly and hot), I really do love the experience of just walking around and seeing the sights.
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Rosy and I also have a morning discussion about the menu for the day, whether I need anything specific from her or the other staff ... mornings are also for planning out the day, playdates, after school homework sessions and the like.
What are your mornings like? Are you able to find some small space or place ... or moment ... that you are able to start the day right??
