I learned about this wonderful practice a few years ago from Cindy Rollins in her book Mere Motherhood: Morning Times, Nursery Rhymes, & My Journey Toward Sanctification. After reading about the Family Learning Time she named Morning Time I realized I had been doing this exact thing with Olivia since she was 18 months old but just didn’t have a name for it. As she has grown and our five Boys have joined the picture this has evolved many many times over the years. Here is a peek at what our Family’s Morning Time currently looks like.
Why We Have Morning Time
Since learning about Morning Time from Cindy Rollins years ago I have continued to read books on this topic and realize there are SO many benefits to it. Starting our day with God will never be time ill spent. This is also a wonderful way to discipline our Kids in the Bible rather than surrender that habit to someone “more qualified” on Sunday mornings. You are learning together every day. Whether that be the Bible, Hymns, Poems, etc.
Like I mentioned above I started doing Morning Time when Olivia was almost 2 years old. This has evolved over the years as children have gotten older and more children are added to the family. When we first began it was just cuddling and reading her a story from a Children’s Picture Bible. Reciting the same verse to her every morning over the month. Then doing a craft together. Nowadays it looks much different as we have 5 wiggly boys in the mix. Some days we fly through everything and other days not so much. I have to trust that whatever we can accomplish day after day God will use it to mold myself and my children into who He is creating us to be and strengthen our bond as a family as we learn together.
Our Morning Time Flow
Read the Bible.
Currently we are working through the Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We only read a chapter a day, sometimes less if the passage is lengthy because my wiggly boys lose interest quick.
Discuss a Catechism Question.
We use the Westminster Shorter Catechism for Kids. We focus on one question a day to discuss with the kids and will rotate back to the beginning once we get through all 100+ questions.
Learn a Memory Verse.
We use the ABC Scripture Memorization Cards by Pip & J Papery. Each month we pick a new verse to learn, and review verses from past months to make sure they are still hidden in our hearts.
Read about a Christian Hero.
Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from Lives of Christian Heros Series by Dave and Neta Jackson. This series is a collection of four books, and we are able to get through about one a semester. We read the book from start to finish and learn about one Christian Hero each week.
Work on a Habit.
Laying Down the Rails for Children: A Habit-Training Companion by Lanaya Gore. We are working through one Habit a month with this book since it is VERY lengthy.
Read a Poem.
A Year of Poetry Tea Time: The Essential Guide to Everything Poetry and Tea by Christine Lynn Owens. We read just one poem a day.
Sing a Hymn.
We recently started learning one new Hymn a month. We all have been enjoying book Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert J. Morgan. This not only includes the Hymn we are learning but the back story to who wrote it and why which is fun to learn about.
Answer a Silly Question.
My Kids have been loving these silly Questions for Humans: Parents and Kids Edition. They were created from Dr. John Delony of Ramsey Solutions.
Pray Together.
We pray over our day, for each other, and for our person of the Week. We go in alphabetical order from the Contacts on my phone to select our person of the week. At the end of the month, we take our list of names from the month and try to send them something to let them know we were praying for them. This could be a fun craft, note, candy, etc.
Make Announcements.
I will talk about our day, what to expect if something is happening later in the day or if it will be the same old routine. I have some kids that handle a change in their routine better if they know what is coming rather than unexpected plans being sprung on them. We may read a letter from Family if we got some fun mail, etc.
Hug the Big Helper.
Every day I have a Big Helper who is my go to person for help that day. We show this person some extra love by doing a group hug with them in the middle when Morning Time is over.
What Do You Include in Your Morning Time?
Please share with us in the comments. I always love to see what others are doing during this Family Togetherness Time! For more Morning Time information check out my post on Resources to Start Your Own Morning Time.
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