3 Simple Steps to Start Your Day

Summer is just around the corner and for families, that means schedules and routines change. Transition periods, like the end of the school year or start of a new season provide a natural time to refresh daily habits and refocus on what is important. Establishing a daily rhythm for each morning is a great way to put your priorities into practice (plus, it can be fun and positive!).

I combined my roles as an artist, author, and mom to create a method I use each day and I have shared with our family to use as a daily rhythm with clear expectations and a positive focus.

The “1 + 2+ 3 = FOR a good day” method puts God first, serving second, and learning third as the foundational priorities for a good day.

Try the “1 + 2+ 3 = FOR a good day” method with your family!

• 1 = Take one step closer to God. Each family member chooses one action to draw closer to God (James 4:8). They choose actions like reading a devotion, practice memorizing a scripture, or reading the Bible together and talking about it together over breakfast.

• 2 = Do two family helps, or chores. Our home runs best when everyone contributes to the way it functions, so serving the needs of the family is important every day. Our younger kids complete two assigned chores each day and as our kids grow older, they choose actions to help the family based on the idea to “notice and do”. This invites them to notice what needs to be done and to take action to do it as a showcase of their initiative and leadership. As long as the task is done well, they keep choosing their own chores.

• 3(0)= Read for thirty minutes. Reading helps us to unplug and dig deeper into learning while giving each family member something new to share each day. Each family member chooses reading materials to enjoy like magazines, newspapers, and books.

• 4 / FOR = a good day. Once these daily habits are complete, we are ready for a good day. These actions establish a foundation for the day around our priorities as a family.

The Results? Using this method has handed responsibility back to our kids to be ready for each day while enjoying more choices as they grow. Our kids know they need to complete these tasks before asking if they can go to the pool, go to ball practice, or have a friend over. As a parent, I simply ask, “Are you ready FOR a good day?” to check if they have completed their responsibilities as an indicator of their readiness for the day.

Raising responsible kids who are growing to know the Lord more while showing initiative, leadership, and responsibility is a great plan for summer or a new season, so start to reset the start of your day using 1 + 2 + 3 = FOR a good day!

Kelly Brinkmann | Kelly is a mom, wife, artist, and author who shares creative connections to faith in Jesus. She lives in the Washington, Missouri area with her family. Subscribe to her monthly journal for more creative ideas to encourage you in faith and daily living at KellyBrinkmann.com/journal