PRODUCTIVE MORNING ROUTINE FOR MOMS
It is easy to create a productive morning routine for moms by following these simple four steps!
How you start your day affects the rest of your day. If you start your morning calm & peacefully, your day will most likely go that way too. However, if you start your morning frantically rushing around your house trying to find your shoes, packing your lunch, and yelling at your kids to get in the car, it is setting all of you up for a rough day. You (and your kids) will feel more anxious throughout your day when you start it rushed.
We have all been there before. Running late and barely getting out the door with everybody and everything they need. It is such a common problem for so many people. What if I told you there was a better way?
If you are a type A person, starting your day behind and feeling like you can’t catch up is going to really affect your day. I should know, I am that person.
WHY HAVE A MORNING ROUTINE?
Technically, a routine is something that you do over and over again. That means EVERYBODY has a morning routine, even if that includes sleeping in until 10 every day, getting a cup of coffee, and watching TV until noon. Even though this is a horrible morning routine, it is one.
Benefits of having a morning routine:
- Having a PRODUCTIVE morning routine can help you get ahead of your day, especially if you have little children. Getting up before your children and getting a few things done will put you in the offense, instead of on the defense for the day.
- It can help you feel less stressed throughout the day. If you are ahead of the game, you will eliminate stress and that is ALWAYS a positive!
- Starting your day with quiet time, even just 5 minutes, with God will prepare your mind for the day ahead. I know it is not easy to get up before your children, but it is so worth it!
- Ultimately, it will help you to feel better and therefore will help you be a better mother.
- It is good for your mental health.
ARE MORNING ROUTINES IMPORTANT?
If you are a blessed soul that already can start the day feeling calm and prepared for your day without any added stress, then having an early morning routine is not necessary for you.
But, for the vast majority of us moms, morning routines are important. If our kids wake us up, we feel like we are starting our day on defense, never truly “in control” of our day.
Starting my day with this prayer and affirmation cards can also help me set my tone for my day.
IS THERE A PERFECT MORNING ROUTINE?
Honestly no, there is not a perfect morning routine because our children are always changing, their sleeping patterns, and their needs from us are changing too.
Each person is different, kids are different, personalities are different. There is not one size fits all when it comes to a productive morning routine. That is actually the beautiful thing about it, you find what works for you and your family in this season of life.
Actually morning routines can change based on seasons of life, the weather, or even the day.
For example, maybe you like getting up at 6 so you can go on a morning walk. During winter you might have to change your morning schedule based on the weather.
STEPS FOR STARTING A GOOD MORNING ROUTINE
Here are the four basic steps for starting a good morning routine.
- Plan
- Prep
- Stick to it
- Re-evaluate
That is it. It really is truly so simple.
1. PLAN YOUR PERFECT MORNING
Jot down what you want your morning to look like. What do YOU need to be the best mom today? Sitting on the front porch while sipping a cup of coffee? Going down to your basement and getting an early morning workout done? Maybe you like to listen to a podcast as you pack your kids’ lunchboxes while they are still sleeping.
Figure out what you NEED and WANT to do during this time.
- Exercise (Beachbody workouts are my favorites)
- Devotions (prayer for mothers, read the Bible, gratitude journal, mediate)
- Eat breakfast
- Shower & get ready for the day
- Make the kids’ breakfast, pack lunches, etc.
- Read a book
- Watch the news
- Journal
- Memorize scripture with an adult coloring book. (I have one similar to this one and LOVE it)
- Sit and enjoy the silence
If you are a mom, I can assume that you probably aren’t sleeping through the night. Don’t forget to give yourself some grace. Set realistic goals. If your newborn is up every 2 hours, starting your day at 4:30 probably isn’t the smartest option. Prioritizing sleep is VERY important in taking care of our bodies.
My current morning routine
For example, here is a basic sketch of my current morning routine.
- 6:30- wake up and begin quiet time (read Bible, journal, memorize verse, pray, and read devotional)
- 7:30- make breakfast for my husband & boys, prepare to workout
- 8:00- workout while boys play, shower, get read for the day
- 9:00- make protein shake and start preschool (I prioritze time with my kids during this time)
- 10:30- daily cleaning chores
- 11:00- prepare lunch
- 11:30- lunch
2. PREPARE THE NIGHT BEFORE
Create a solid evening routine will set you up for success for your morning routine. Think about all the things you need to do in the morning and ask yourself what would help me start tomorrow morning by hitting the ground running?
Here are a few ideas:
- Pack lunches for adults and kids.
- Get homework done and backpacks all prepped and ready to go.
- Fill your water bottles so you can track your water consumption.
- Tidy the house and clean so you wake up to a clean house. It is never fun starting the day with a sink full of dishes and feeling behind.
- Set out clothes for tomorrow.
3. STICK TO YOUR ROUTINE
Once you have your ideal morning routine planned, it is time to start using it. Try it for a couple of days or a week. Then think about small changes you could make so it would go better. Are there any times that you feel stress or overwhelmed? What can you do to eliminate that?
The first few days you will be tempted to snooze and stay in bed, but soon it will become your habit and you will look forward to starting each day. I promise. Make it fun and inviting. Light a candle. Have some soft music playing or a podcast.
4. RE-EVALUATE FREQUENTLY
Once you get into a really good swing of things, don’t forget to take some time and evaluate how your morning routine is working. Ask yourself, your husband, or kids how they think it is going. Always be looking for ways to make it a little better.
- Is there a time throughout the morning that I feel rushed?
- How are the kids’ behaviors during our morning routine?
- Are there consistent times they are fussy?
- How can I adjust my schedule to better focus on their needs?
- What are ways that I can be more prepared when I wake up?
- Are there any times in the morning that I am distracted and waste time?
HOW DO I START A MORNING ROUTINE?
Honestly, just start! Try getting up 15 minutes earlier tomorrow. see how that goes.
If you are thinking, “I can’t wake up early.” Let me assure you that you can wake up early. Not only CAN you wake up early, you can even enjoy waking up!
Don’t just take my word for it, you have to try it yourself! Having a productive morning routine has been a GAME changer for me!
Follow the steps of plan, prep, stick to it, and re-evaluate and you will be shocked at how natural it becomes. Best of luck!
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