Ever woke up to a toddler tapping you on the arm to get up and then their off to get into Lord knows what as you peel yourself out of bed? Yeah, me too! This can lead to a day filled with overwhelm and burn out - feeling like you’re already behind and juggling the many things that come with motherhood as soon as you open your eyes. So how can we remedy this? The #1 thing that I found to exponentially change my day is a morning routine. Now I know what you’re thinking…just one more thing to do! I promise it doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect. But hear me out - a morning routine will be a game-changer for your daily sanity.
Why Mornings Matter More Than You Think
How You Start Your Day Sets the Tone for Everything
The first moments of your day are crucial for setting the tone. Think about when you wake up after your kids. You feel behind and in a state of high alert from the get go. I had a tough night of sleep last night and maybe got a few hours in, add a scared-of-the-dark kiddo that crawled into bed at midnight and it’s a recipe for no rest. When my alarm went off this morning, signaling to me that it was time for my morning routine, I could not motivate myself to get out of bed. And I didn’t. Sure enough, I had a kid poking me in the back asking when it was time to get up and a toddler in his crib yelling that it was time to get out. I was up anyway. I didn’t get to sleep in. I felt like I was 5 steps behind with my little energizer bunnies up before me, rip and raring to go! As a high achiever, you’re used to juggling a lot. But let’s be real - without some structure, you’ll burn out before breakfast. If the foundation of your day is shaky, everything else is going to feel harder.
What a Morning Routine Can Do for You
The Magic of Small, Simple Wins
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither does your morning routine need to be 100% perfect - heck not even 10% perfect. You don’t have to wake up at 5 a.m. and do an elaborate skincare routine while meditating and journaling followed by an intense workout (I mean unless you want to.) You get to decide what’s right for you.
This could look like:
- A few quiet moments to gather your thoughts - my kids can’t get out of their beds (other than being scared) before their night light turns green.
- Starting the day proactively, no reactively - waking up before your kids.
- Feeling more grounded and less frazzled - time to grab a cup of coffee or tea.
- Boosting your mood, which impacts your kids - step outside for those first rays of sunshine.
- Setting a calm tone for the household - it starts with you.
For me, even 10 minutes of intentional time makes a world of difference in how I approach the day.
How to Build a Simple Morning Routine That Works for YOU
No Two Routines Look Alike (and That’s OK)
Throw out the idea of perfection and look to simplicity. You don’t need to wake up hours before your kids or follow some influencer’s exact routine. Let’s keep this real and attainable.
Here are some simple steps to build a Routine:
- Pick Your Wake Up Time: simply waking up 5 to 30 minutes before your kids is a win. Whatever is doable to you in this season of life. For me it’s 1 hour before they get up (some days it varies depending on my sleep). You don’t have to be a morning person to start 10 minutes earlier.
- Decide on 1-2 Key Actions: even small actions can make you feel aligned with who you are and energize. Like sipping coffee in peace, reading a quick devotional, stretching, or even just brushing your teeth without interruption. It’s all about *small* wins.
- Adjust as Needed: I encourage you to be flexible, especially if you’re in the weeds of toddlerhood or newborns. Some days, routines won’t go perfectly - and that’s okay. Give yourself grace.
Common Obstacles and How to Overcome Them
But What If My Kids Wake Up Early? (And Other Mom Realities)
Kids Wake Up Too Early = introduce quiet activities they can do while you finish your routine. When my oldest had his own room he knew that if he woke up before his light turned green that he could play quietly but he was still not able to come out. This gave me the time I needed to complete my routine. If you have a baby, let them self-soothe and quietly play until you’re ready - I still do this with my toddler who’s in a crib. He chills out for about 20 minutes as I get the time I need. No cry or fussing. You can also implement a quiet time in the morning where they just play nearby quietly. It may take lots of reminders but with constant and consistent reminders they’ll get it in no time.
Feeling Too Tired = I get this one, believe me. Start small. There’s no need for an elaborate plan. Listen to your body. Maybe you really do need the extra sleep but don’t miss out on starting off on the right foot because you stayed up too late the night before having a mom party (more on evening routines later).
Falling Off Track = Life happens. It’s ok to miss a day or start over or change your whole routine. You may have had a rough night or you’re just not feeling the routine you set in place. That’s okay - as I said before, you get to make the decision on what it looks like for you. Honestly, my morning routine is still evolving and I like it that way. I implement something and if it doesn't work for me I get rid of it - onto the next thing. Progress over perfection.
Make Your Mornings Work for You
Your morning routine is meant to serve you, not be another thing on your to-do list. It should feel like a gift to yourself. This is time that you deserve and it’s the right step in the direction of motherhood you want to keep going. Keep it simple, make it yours, and watch how it transforms your day.
view + leave comments . . .