Morning Battles
They Woke Up Angry
It’s seven o’clock in the morning.
Step 1. What's happening
Caregiver…
It’s seven o’clock in the morning.
Why are you already mad?
You just opened your eyes.
What could’ve went bad?
But some children wake up and their brain isn’t ready for:
“Get dressed.”
“Brush your teeth.”
“Hurry up.”
“Where are your shoes?”
“Come eat.”
Step 2. Behavior clues
Proverbs 15:1 KJV says:
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Maybe the morning doesn’t need more volume.
Maybe it needs less pressure.
Step 3. Watch before you react
- LOWER YOUR VOICE
Don’t match their mood.
- LOWER YOUR WORDS
One direction.
Not five.
“First, bathroom.”
Then move to the next step.
- GIVE THE BRAIN A MINUTE
Some brains need time to transition from sleeping to doing.
Step 4. STOP → BREATHE → SAY WHAT THEY NEED
STOP — Pause before you react.
BREATHE — One slow breath. Count to five.
SAY — “I’m going to take a minute, then try again.”
Step 5. I DO → WE DO → YOU DO
- I Do — Show it first: model “Lower Your Voice” out loud so your family can see it.
- We Do — Practice “Lower Your Words” together in a calm moment.
- You Do — Try “Give The Brain A Minute” on your own today. Notice what changes.
Step 6. Try this tonight
- Today, practice: Lower Your Voice.
- Today, practice: Lower Your Words.
- Today, practice: Give The Brain A Minute.
Caregiver…
Waking up angry doesn’t automatically mean disrespect.
It may mean:
“My body isn’t ready yet.”
Before the morning becomes a battle—
slow it down.
💜 Before we stress, let’s assess.
Spot the clue. Know what to do.
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