Morning Routines For Moms: Motive and Method

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Morning routines for moms are CRITICAL. In the early days of motherhood, life transitions and right after adding each of our kids to our family, the mornings were nothing short of chaos. Picture waking up and feeling energetic and ready to take on the day. While I can’t say I am completely there yet, I am pretty darn close! Finding a routine that works for you and your family may take some trial and error. It also may feel forced at first, but take it one day at a time, making tweaks as needed, and before you know it, it will be second nature. Taking into account, you may need to adjust in different phases of life. I’d like to say my morning routine includes workouts, journaling, and meditation, but let’s be realistic… it definitely doesn’t. It’s important to keep it simple and something that is feasible for you.

Importance of morning routines for moms

Your morning sets the tone for your entire day. If you start off stressed, likely you’ll find yourself stumbling through your day, and in the wrong headspace. Finding a morning flow that works for you is critical for your mental well-being. 

Benefits of a morning routine

Having good morning routines for moms is critical, and can improve your quality of life in more ways than one. 

1. Reduced stress levels is (in my opinion) the number one motivator to start my day off strong. By having my ducks in a row right away in the morning, it not only puts me at ease, but also my family. When we are running late and everyone is sprinting around the house and out the door, it puts all of us in a funk. Right off the bat, none of us are ready for the next part of our day.
2. A good headspace is a nice byproduct of a predictable, streamlined morning routine. Mental well-being is a top priority of mine, and anything I can do to improve that is worth it. I feel calm at the start of my work day. This allows me to focus on the tasks at hand, feel more productive and more level headed when having to deal with the stressors of motherhood and working full-time.
3. Improved productivity can be a perk of starting the day off with a structured routine. Completing small tasks at the start of your day can make you feel accomplished and ready to take on things like that big project at work you’ve been putting off.

Strategies for establishing a morning routine

When finding morning routines for moms that work well can be difficult, there are a few things to think about.

1. Identify your goals. What are your goals and priorities, and how can your morning routine help? Maybe you plan to run a 5k – consider how you’re fueling your body, or maybe include a stretching session.
2. Start small. Ease into the morning routine. Maybe try adding in one small component for a couple weeks and see how that goes, and then build on that. Atomic Habits by James Clear talks about habit stacking. Great book if you’re trying to start a strong morning routine, or improve any kind of habit in your life.
3. Stay consistent. Starting a new morning routine or adding in something new may feel a bit clumsy at first, but by staying consistent, I promise you’ll start seeing results. Consistency is always key!
4. Always, and I mean always, stay flexible. Staying consistent with your morning routine doesn’t always mean your routine needs to be rigid. You may need to improvise at times, especially when there are littles involved – waking up to a sick kid, or a snow day can throw anyone for a loop!
5. Time management. Having realistic expectations for what you can all accomplish in the morning is important, and also how much time you have to spend on each thing. No matter how good your intentions are for a morning routine, you need to make sure you’re giving yourself a realistic amount of time for each thing on your AM to-do list.
6. Involve the whole family. While we can have the best intentions for making a morning go smoothly, everyone else plays a role too. Delegating responsibilities to everyone who is capable is important. Include everyone in on the plan, and let them have input on what the family’s morning should look like! Perks always help too… if my kids get dressed, brush their teeth and their hair, they know they have time to watch cartoons in the morning.

Necessary components of morning routines for moms

Depending the on the phase of life you’re in, this may look different for you. These are just the things that I found work best for me. This also may take some practice. Not all of us are morning people or can function without coffee the second we wake up, but trust me it will be worth it.

1. Evening prep. Preparing the night before could be a whole other conversation. However, setting out your kids clothes, tidying up the house, and getting a good night’s sleep is an absolute must for a successful morning routine! Do everything you possibly can the night before. Trust me, your future self will thank you!
2. Early wake up time, and absolutely under no circumstances hitting snooze. Get out of bed immediately when your alarm goes off, and avoid starting your day off by scrolling on your phone. Waking up early allows you to flow smoothly through your morning without being rushed, and allows for any unexpected roadblocks – like a child refusing to get dressed or spilt cup of coffee. When you’re rushed in the morning, you become stressed and it is really hard to think clearly. This leads to forgotten lunches, and a whole lot of pressure. Waking up early also allows for time for your body to wake up and the sleepiness to ware off.
3. MAKE YOUR BED. Remember when I said including small tasks in your morning routine can make you feel accomplished? This is the perfect one. Get out of bed and immediately make your bed. It makes you feel like you checked something off your to-do list, and a “put together” environment only does good things for your mental well-being, especially when working from home.
4. No caffeine within the first hour of waking up, and no caffeine on an empty stomach. This can be a tough one, but this will do WONDERS for your energy levels throughout the day. Letting the adenosine in your body lower before adding a stimulant can help avoid the crash in energy levels mid morning. Consuming caffeine on an empty stomach can contribute to anxiety and hurt mental focus when starting your work day.
5. Pull yourself together. This may be a given for those who work out of the home, but for all my work from home peeps, this one can be tough. I far too often get stuck in the trap of staying in my jammies or going far too long without washing my hair. Getting dressed, brushing my hair and putting on a little make up can make me feel more put together, improve my self esteem, and transition into my work day.
6. Eat breakfast – protein, protein, protein. Food is fuel, and starting your day off with a high protein breakfast can assure to keep blood sugar levels stabilized throughout the day, and keep you feeling full and satisfied. This can help with mental clarity and focus. If you’re not a breakfast person, chug a protein shake. I love these ones! They are only around 100 calories and 20 grams of protein. I mix them with 6 ounces of water and chug it quick while I am getting ready for the day.
7. Take a deep breath, Mama. Mornings can turn into chaos so quickly. If things are taking a turn for the worst, pause and take some deep breaths. Before you turn into mom-zilla from frustration after watching your kindergartener putzing around, remember you’re setting the tone for not only your day, but also everyone else in the household. Trust me when I tell you, telling everyone to hurry up really doesn’t make them move any faster.

Establishing a morning routine for moms is critical to survival and can make life just a little bit easier. Every little bit helps, am I right? It sets the tone for the entire day, reducing stress, improving mental well-being, and increasing productivity. Starting with clear goals, staying consistent, and involving the whole family are key. Keep it simple, adjust as needed, and prioritize self-care. By taking small steps towards a structured morning, you can transform chaotic mornings into peaceful beginnings, setting yourself up for success throughout the day.

For other tips on balancing motherhood and working full-time, check out some of my other blog posts.