Top 5 Morning Meltdowns and How to Avoid Them

Mornings with toddlers are like game shows with zero prizes and way too much yelling. One minute you’re happily pouring Weet-Bix, the next you’re knee-deep in a full-scale emotional crisis because someone dared to say, “time to get dressed.”

The Great Sock Rebellion

Meltdown Trigger: Socks that are “too socky,” “too tight,” or­­ – my personal favourite “smell itchy.”

How to Avoid It:
Let your toddler choose socks the night before. Lay out two parent-approved options and let them feel like the boss. Bonus tip: keep a few sensory-friendly sock options (seamless, soft, slightly magical) in rotation. No one wants to start the day with a foot-based tantrum.

Clothing Catastrophes

Meltdown Trigger: You suggested pants with a button. Or worse—a jumper they wore yesterday but now claim is “spicy.”

How to Avoid It:
Prep a “Yes Basket”: a small basket of pre-approved, toddler-endorsed outfits they can choose from each morning. Keep it limited (2-3 options), easy to mix and match, and 100% button-free if needed. And if they want to wear their dinosaur costume again? Honestly… let ‘em.

Toast Trauma

Meltdown Trigger: You cut the toast the wrong way. (Spoiler - there is no right way. It changes daily.)

How to Avoid It:
Ask before you slice. Better yet, let them help cut it using a child-safe butter knife. If that’s too much at 7am, just leave the toast whole and let them rip into it like a hungry gremlin. Independence = fewer meltdowns. Sometimes.

The Missing Toy Crisis

Meltdown Trigger: The emotional support rock/bunny/half-chewed crayon is missing and now nothing matters.

How to Avoid It:
Create a “Morning Essentials Basket” by the door (yes, there are a lot of baskets). Before bedtime, help your toddler gather their VIP items (Sparkle the rock, etc.) and pop them in the basket. That way, they’re ready to roll when it’s go-time, and you’re not frantically hunting for a rock under the couch at 8:05am.

The “I’m Not Getting Dressed Ever Again” Protest

Meltdown Trigger: Literally just being asked to get dressed.

How to Avoid It:
Turn it into a game. Time them getting dressed (“Can you beat the clock?”), get dressed together (“Let’s be sock twins!”), or sing the “put your pants on” song (make one up, add interpretive dance—toddlers love chaos). Worst case? Pack the clothes and dress them at daycare. You’re not a failure. You’re just choosing your battles.

Look, toddler mornings can feel like a high-drama soap opera directed by someone on a sugar high. But with a little prep, a light heart and a truckload of patience, you can sidestep some of the drama.

And if all else fails – coffee first, chaos second.