How to Establish the Ultimate Mommy Morning Routine
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What does your mommy morning routine look like?
Is it total chaos and absolutely exhausting?
If you have to leave the house it is left looking like a bomb went off. Or, if you’re staying home, you just never quite feel as though you’ve got a handle on the day.
I’ve totally been there. In fact, some days I still AM there.
However, with a few years of mothering under my belt now, I’ve come to realize that there is one thing that can make all the difference when it comes to how crazy your morning is going to be.
It is your morning routine…or lack of one.
If you don’t have a morning routine, then chances are that your mornings represent a lot of the scenarios I just talked about.
However, if you do have a morning routine, then you’ll know that it can really help to simplify things and reduce the chaos.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to revamp your current routine, this post is going to hold some real valuable content.
I’m sharing my best tips for getting through the morning unscathed and you’ll also find several tips from other moms from all different situations and scenarios.
Mama, if you want to start your day on a happier note and without feeling exhausted by the time 9 AM rolls around, keep reading, cause this post is your answer.
The Best Tips for Creating a Simplified Mommy Morning Routine
There are lots of different aspects to a morning routine, so I’ve broken them down a little in order for you to not feel so overwhelmed (especially if you’re just putting together a routine for the first time).
You’ll find a really helpful morning routine printable at the end of this post that will help you to stay organized.
First up are some tips for you as the mama.
#1 Get Up Before the Kids
Whether it is 10 minutes before your children get up or an hour…you will find great value in getting up before your children do.
This isn’t always possible, especially when you have a newborn, but if you can make it happen, I strongly recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity.
My children get up at 7 AM and I get up around 6:30 AM.
It gives me a minute to check emails, have a cup of tea, converse a little with my husband (he’s NOT a morning person), and just check out my to-do list for the day.
When my children do come through, I can greet them with a smile and be able to devote 100% of my attention to them.
Considering this is one of the most important and impactful times of the day for them, I really love being able to do this.
#2 Get Ready for the Day
Obviously, if you’re a working mom you’re going to need to get dressed for the day, but I strongly urge stay-at-home (and work-at-home) moms to do the same.
I get dressed during my children’s independent playtime, however, if you don’t have an opportunity like that, I suggest you do it before your kids get up in the morning.
There’s something about being dressed for the day that just helps you to be more productive and feel more put together.
#3 Fill Your Soul
Whatever this looks like for you…do it.
It could be reading Scripture, listening to a podcast, meditating, reading, etc, etc.
Take the time to fill your soul before the day really gets started. It will help to lift your attitude and mood as well as give you the mental energy that you need to face the challenges of the day.
We have a verse that I work on getting my children to memorize every month. Some mornings that is all I meditate on, but it really does make a difference.
#4 Fuel Up
This doesn’t have to mean a cup of coffee, but if that’s your thing, then go for it.
We’ve used several different coffee machines in our home over the years (my husband loves the stuff!). Some of them can be set on a timer so that your coffee is ready for you when you wake up!
I personally am a tea-drinker and love a strong brew.
However, what I’m really referring to here is just making sure to fuel your body in some capacity or another.
Make sure that you’re not starting the day running on empty.
Preparing rolled oats the night before or batch cooking and freezing pancakes or muffins are both great ways to make sure you get a wholesome breakfast without cutting into prime morning time.
#5 Take 5 Minutes to Relax
Before those babies of yours come marching through to the living room making demands for breakfast and snuggles and this and that…take a minute or five, to just relax.
Drink whatever beverage it is that you enjoy and just sit.
You don’t have to multi-task…just sit.
There will be enough multi-tasking throughout the rest of your day, so take those five minutes to do nothing but relax.
Mommy Routine Example
For a bit of context, I have 3 children currently aged 4 and under. I also work around 25ish hours a week from home. The children are all with me all of the time.
- 6:25 AM (Alarm goes off)
- 6:30 AM Go to the computer and check emails/start the work day
- 6:40 AM Read daily verse
- 6:50 AM Drink tea while catching up on the news/current events (thanks hubby for making it!)
- 7:00 AM Big kids come through and I go get the baby
- 7:00-7:20 AM Feed the baby & snuggles on the couch until daddy leaves for work
- 7:30 AM Start breakfast and do a couple of work jobs while the children are eating (also unpack the dishwasher)
- 8:00 AM Put on laundry
- 8:30 AM Tidy breakfast dishes
- 8:45 AM Get all three children dressed for the day
- 9:00 AM Baby naps & big kids each have independent playtime
- 9:00-10:20 AM Get dressed for the day/hang out laundry/get meat out for dinner/work
- 10:20 AM Spend time with the big kids
- 10:45 AM Get baby up from nap & feed
- 11:00-11:45 AM Big kids outside playing while baby plays in the living room where I work
- 11:45 AM Get everyone cleaned up for lunch
Mom Routine Hacks
Along with having a good routine for yourself, there are a few hacks that can really help things to run more smoothly in the morning.
#1 Prepare the Night Before
This can be applied to so many things, but seriously, if you want to take away from the chaos of the morning, go ahead and see what you can prep for the night before.
Breakfast is something that I’ve already mentioned, but you could also have clothes picked out ahead of time, bags packed, and lunches made.
Sit back and think about what could be sorted out the night before and I guarantee that it’ll free up your mornings.
#2 Teach Your Children to Stay in Their Room
My children do not come out of their rooms from 7 PM-7 AM except for bathroom breaks, sickness, or bad dreams.
It isn’t magic and my children are not angels.
It is something that we’ve worked on right from when they were babies.
Having a consistent start to the day just helps everything else run a lot more smoothly.
We have a toddler clock like this one in our children’s room that tells them when it is time to get up in the morning.
Trust me on this one…it’ll make your life so much easier having your children stay put until a time that you decide on.
Even if our children wake earlier than 7 AM (which they often do), they’ll just read or play in their room until it is time for them to get up.
#3 Delegate
You do not have to do it all.
Let me repeat that…you do not have to do it all.
Even though there are times when it may feel that way, you really don’t have to be the one doing everything.
Children are capable of helping out from a really young age.
My two-year old is expected to clear her own dishes, put her used pull-up in the trash, and put her dirty clothes in the hamper.
Is she perfect at it? Nope, but she’s getting better and better.
Teach your children to help and if your significant other is around to help in the mornings, give them some jobs to do so that your plate isn’t quite so full.
#4 Build in Extra Time
This is a tip that I share in this post about how to get of the house on time.
The key is to build extra time into your morning routine so that even if things go wrong, you’ve got a little leeway.
Write down approximately how much time you think it’ll take to achieve each task and add some onto it.
Or, if you need to be somewhere at a specific time, bring that time in my 10 minutes so that you’re a lot more likely to get there early or right on, instead of late.
#5 Pick Your Battles
Let’s be honest, when it comes to getting things done in the morning, one of the most variable factors is our children.
They’re not always easy to get to do what we expect of them and if you have toddlers or babies then you can be met with all kinds of unexpected delays.
Try to pick your battles on this one.
Does your baby really need a bow in her hair? Is it the end of the world if your child’s socks don’t match?
Consider what is truly important and ignore the rest.
Baby Routine Example
I thought it might also be helpful to share what a typical morning would look like for my babies.
Obviously, different babies have different routines, but this is a general outline for babies. I’ve done one for younger babies and one for babies from about 6 months and onward.
Younger Babies
- 7:00 AM Wake & feed
- 7:45/8-9:45/10 AM Nap
- 10:00 AM Feed
- 10:30 AM Tummy time
- 10:45/11 PM-12:45-1:00 PM Nap
Older Babies
- 7:00 AM Wake & feed
- 7:00-7:30 AM Spend time with siblings/family
- 7:30 AM Solids
- 8:00-8:45 AM Floor time/bouncer/jolly jumper
- 8:45 AM Get dressed
- 9:00-10:30/11 AM Nap
- 11 AM Bottle
- 11:15-11:45 AM Play
- 11:45 AM Get ready for lunch
Toddler Routine Example
By the time my children are toddlers we still definitely have a routine in place, but they’re a lot more capable of entertaining themselves.
The first is an example of our stay-at-home routine, but I’ll also include the routine we would use if we were going out.
Stay at Home Routine
- 7:00 AM Get up & have a drink
- 7:00-7:30 AM Snuggles on the couch & some TV time
- 7:30-8:00 AM Breakfast
- 8:00-8:45 AM Help clean up breakfast then play
- 8:45 AM Get dressed & ready for the day
- 9:00-10:20 AM Independent playtime
- 10:30 AM Morning snack
- 10:30-11:45 AM Free play (usually outside)
- 11:45 AM Get cleaned up for lunch
Going Somewhere Routine
- 7:00 AM Get up & have a drink
- 7:00-7:30 AM Snuggles on the couch & some TV time
- 7:30-8:00 AM Breakfast
- 8:00-8:30 AM Clean up breakfast & play while mom gets ready
- 8:30 AM Get dressed & ready to go out
- 9:00 AM Leave the house
These printable routine cards are also awesome for toddlers to gain some independence. Check them out HERE.
How to Form a Habit
Part of establishing a simplified morning routine means that you’ll likely need to form new, or break old habits.
This post goes into great detail on how habits are formed.
If this is something that you struggle with (I mean, I totally get hitting that snooze button over and over) then you’ll want to give it a read.
Tips from Other Moms
Because some moms work from home, some moms stay home, some moms work outside of the home, and some moms do a combination, I wanted to provide you with tips from other moms aside from just myself.
Below are some really valuable pieces of advice from moms that are adept at balancing many needs while also being productive.
A couple of things stood out and were repeated across the board:
- Prepare ahead of time
- Get up before your kids
I’ve addressed both of those previously, but just wanted to reemphasise how important they both are and what a difference they can make when it comes to reducing stress.
Mommy Morning Routine Tips from Experienced Mamas
Brittany
Have clothes picked out + and bags packed the night BEFORE. Also- prep the coffee maker the night before too
Kelli
Mentally prep after dinner and brainstorm what the next day’s activities will need- I.e. Do I need to pack a gym bag? Swimming clothes for my daughter? Lunch?
The key to a better, smoother morning is definitely prepping things the night before, right down to the outfits we are going to wear.
Stephanie
I'm a list person! I map out what we need to do or take with us on a slip of paper. Then, check it off as we get ready and/or load the vehicle.
Michelle
If you’re finding it difficult to set-up your morning routines, I highly encourage you to to take a look at your evening routines. This has been instrumental in setting us up for better mornings. Our mornings are often a result of how well our evenings went.
Nici
Do the same thing every morning (a routine). Mine is shower, make coffee eat my toast and make lunch. That’s it. I can get out the door with two kids within an hour of waking up.
Notice I didn’t say put on make up or spend time on my hair. I wash my hair fully once per week and straighten it and wear that for like 3-4 days (with the help of some dry shampoo)
Breanna
My biggest is having the coffee ready to be perked the night before and have the dishes done and put away and lunch made.
Jenn
Starting the night before anything I can do to make the morning run smoother. Pack lunches, bags, pick out clothes etc. And I always make my to do list and schedules for the next day the night before too.
Jill
Wake up before your kids! Even if it's just 15 minutes, it's an opportunity to have a little quiet time before the madness starts! Here's a post with all my tips for a better morning.
Christina
My biggest helper in the morning is getting the kids dressed before we leave their room in the morning. That way there's no back and forth, and come here/go there craziness.
Also I either prep lunches and backpacks at night, or I do it while they eat (i.e. are too occupied to interrupt what I'm doing).
Jennifer
I put my purse next to the door and my keys in my shoes. If I have anything important to bring with me for the day (letters to mail etc) they go on top of my shoes as well.
Donna
I take a shower at night after picking up and preparing everything for the morning. I make sure to wake up before my kids so I can get ready for work first and take care of them as soon as I am done.
As I have prepared everything the night before, there will be no wasted time digging through the closet for what my kids should wear. We always make it a point to be out the door in 30 minutes.
Laura
I shower at night and let my hair air dry over night so in the morning I just need to flat iron it. I set my alarm for a time before the kids usually get up so I have time to get myself ready. Just like others I pre-pack everything.
I have a staging area of everything I need so I don’t forget anything. Backpacks, shoes, purse, laptop bag, sweatshirts, etc. are all on our hall bench on the way to the garage.
Mary
I’m a mom of four (ages 5, 4, 3 years, and a 4 month old)! So preparing the night before is important for my morning to run smoothly. The kitchen is always clean before bed, I set up the coffee pot, and breakfast is prepared.
The dishwasher is currently running and I have overnight oats with berries in the fridge for the morning!
Cindy
Download a visual timer app on a tablet so kids get a visual of exactly how much time they have to get ready. It’s a gamer changer for sluggish kids.
Julie
Wake up before the kids, even if it’s just 15 minutes earlier. Whenever I have quiet time in the morning I’m able to handle whatever happens next with more grace and patience!
Niki
I minimize stress in the morning by letting my 3 year old get her own breakfast and find something to do herself. I get a little extra sleep that way and she gets more independence.
I leave out some options for breakfast for her such as a banana or a ziplock bag of cereal. Her milk cup is filled and ready in the fridge where she can reach it. And she can get her tablet to watch videos or ask Alexa to play her show on the TV or find toys to play with.
I usually wake up as soon as she opens her door, but I don’t get out of bed right away. It gives me some time to wake up. Once I’m up I’ll get her more breakfast that she can’t get herself and make coffee.
Kate
My main tip is to do as much as possible the night before. Have your kids pick their clothes out and have them neatly folded at the end of the bed, their school bags packed, and their lunches made and in the fridge (again something the kids can help with).
For yourself, also know what you're wearing, make sure the kitchen is left clean and tidy before you go to bed.
The morning should be the least stressful and most automated part of the day.
Clarissa
I am a Mom of 2 (ages 8 and 14) and my tips for minimizing stress in the mornings are to not only prepare what you can the night before (sign all school papers, pick out clothes and have bags ready to go), but also delegate.
Stress often comes when you feel like you are or have to do it all. Give your kids age appropriate tasks so that they can help get themselves ready which gives you a little more time and you don’t feel so rushed.
I also prep all fruits and veggies for each week in grab and go containers in the fridge for kids to easily pack their lunches and/or snacks.
Kristin
My favorite - and most helpful for us - is having a hanging organizer in the kids closets. I put out a variety if outfits each week a d they can pick from that in the mornings.
Adrienne
So this might seem a little different than most but......I am learning that being is more important that doing to make our lives run better.
Don't stay up too late the night before :). Spend time with God first thing, or close to first thing (you can keep this or omit as you like). Greet others in the family cheerfully and with an encouraging word and some kind of loving touch and if possible, spend at least a little bit of quality time with each child or all of them as a group. It sets everyone up for success.
Becky
We super struggled with mornings when my kid started kindergarten. His preschool started at 9, and his bus now comes at 7am. What helped the most was doing as much as possible the night before: picking outfits, packing lunch, packing his backpack, etc.
That way, in the morning, all we had to do was make that kiddo some toast, throw his lunch into his bag, and head out the door.
Kim and Kalee
My biggest tip is to wake up 30 minutes before your kids do. While it might sound impossible at first, the ability to wakeup on your own and have a cup of coffee while looking over your daily schedule, goals or devotional can set the tone of your day.
It also allows you to feel a whole lot more empowered than being woken up by wide-eye kiddo or having to spring out of bed like a jack rabbit when the alarm goes off to get everything done.
My other tip would be: Over the weekend look over next week's calendar with your spouse and kids. This will allow you to prioritize what is the most important things in the week and get organized.
I also like to go to the grocery store and meal prep breakfast on Sunday to make it as simple as possible during the week! My favorites are overnight oats, egg cups or pre-portioned cereal and fruit
Orlena
Prioritise sleep (kids and adults) and leave time for kids to go slow. When we’re rushed we’ all get stressed. With enough time you can enjoy the morning and precious moments we have together.
Samantha
For us in the Milner house we like to be organised both the night before and on the day itself. Everything is ready the night before, the kids help on the morning by getting their breakfast items ready and teeth brushing is done together.
We also make sure that on the morning there is no distractions like TV that can make them later than usual.
Amy
My kids have zipper bedding so they can make their own beds perfectly in less than two minutes! One less job for me in the morning.
Stephanie
Let them have some autonomy! Getting to choose at least one thing whether it's clothes or part of their breakfast makes it easier when the rest of the routine is less flexible.
Chelsea
Have set expectations. If children know what is expected of them they can make preparations ahead of time as well. We all need time to process information. Having a discussion about what is happening in the morning, what chores they are required to do and what time they need to be ready, allows them time to think and be ready to act.
We stay organized with a command center. We discuss each evening what tomorrow looks like and that keeps us organized but also helps everyone prepare for tomorrow.
Your Ultimate Guide To Establishing A Morning Routine
Now that you have all of these amazing tips to create your mommy morning routine, let me make it that much easier for you by giving you this printable routine guide.
You can keep track of:
- Your morning routine tasks
- Your top 3 priorities for the day
- Your meal plan
- Your appointments and reminders
Just download it below.
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