About this episode
If your mornings feel like a daily emotional avalanche, lost shoes, floppy limbs, scratchy socks, MELTDOWNS, you’re not alone. In this episode, Jon goes back to the original Whole Parent format and answers real listener questions about morning routines, meltdowns, and the brain science behind why kids fall apart at the exact same time every day . Instead of asking “What am I doing wrong?”, we flip the script: What if the problem isn’t you … it’s the lack of brutal predictability ? Jon breaks down how kids’ underdeveloped executive function makes mornings uniquely hard—and how a simple, boring, repeatable routine can take the mental load off their brains and yours. In this episode, we cover: Why mornings are so hard for kids’ brains How an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, weak time sense, and limited executive function make “getting out the door” way more complex for kids than it is for adults. The power of “brutally predictable” routines Why turning mornings into the same simple sequence every day (with visual aids, checklists, or songs) actually reduces meltdowns and resistance. How long it should really take to get out the house Jon’s 20-minute rule for shoes/coats/backpacks—and why building in buffer time makes you less likely to snap, rush, or bark orders. Connecting before correcting What to do in the first 3–5 minutes after kids wake up, and why a few minutes of cuddle + connection can change the whole morning. When your kid’s “routine” includes a meltdown How kids unconsciously bake the meltdown into the pattern—and how to replace that step with connection, play, or a job instead of power struggles. Brain-based hacks that actually feel doable Including: Turning the morning into a game instead of a battle Giving kids simple “jobs” that channel their energy The “put the shoes to bed” trick to end the Great Shoe Hunt every morning Listener questions in this episode: Nancy: “My 6-year-old wakes up slow and my 3-year-old wakes up fiery. No matter how early I start, we’re either late or someone is screaming. What am I doing wrong in our morning routine?” Dave: “Every morning falls apart at the exact same spot: shoes and coats. My 4-year-old goes floppy, my toddler zigzags half-dressed, and I feel my patience evaporate. How do I break this pattern without becoming the drill sergeant I swore I’d never be?” Anonymous (aka The Great Shoe Hunt): “Every single morning turns into a shoe hunt. One shoe is in the pantry, the other in the bathtub. Is there a brain hack for ki Send us a text Support the show Links to help you and me: To support the Podcast, Subscribe on Substack Get Jon’s Top Five Emotional Regulation Games Get Jon’s Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon’s Children’s Book Set My Feelings Free Follow Whole Parent on Instagram , Tiktok, Facebook , Youtube