As someone completely obsessed with habits, I love nothing more than hearing all about other peoples’ routines. I’ll be at a playdate or at the park and I’ll start peppering the other moms with questions about how they handle homework, chores, or bedtime routines.
I’ve found that it’s one of the best ways to get ideas for how to continually craft and hone my own mom routines. It’s from other moms that I get fantastic little gems that make my day run smoother.
Gems like putting out a plate of veggies while I make dinner so my children will not complain about how they’re starving and will actually eat veggies!
Or showering at the gym after workouts, where I can get ready without anyone demanding snacks or to find their Monsters Inc. figurines. (Plus, I can run errands afterwards stink-free!)
It’s through finding out what other people do that we can create the routines that are right for us.
And when you’re a busy mom, there’s no routine more important for your day than your morning routine.
As Lemony Snicket said: “Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.”
And one way to create a morning routine that works for us moms is through finding out what other people do.
Which is why I’m super excited that I was able to get 7 crazy busy moms not only share their morning routines, but also give their number one tips for creating smoother, more organized mornings. And on top of raising little ones, all 7 of these moms are managing an online business as well.
So whether you’re a stay-at-home or working mom, prepare for some serious gems to make your mommy morning routine easier and more organized!
Cassidy Tuttle of Succulents and Sunshine
mother of a 5 year-old boy and a 3 year-old girl
What time do you wake up?
6:00 AM
Do you wake up before your kids?
Yes! Otherwise I end up being ornery because I get abruptly awoken. Plus, getting up before them allows me to have quiet time to myself and get in a positive frame of mind to start the day.
What is your typical morning routine?
Wake up, get dressed, then start my “miracle morning” — start with prayer, scripture study, journal writing, affirmations, and some days exercise — all before 7.
Kids are up by 7 and we eat, get them dressed and ready, clean up the kitchen, then usually head to school (9:30) or just play.
What is the most important part of your routine?
The prayer, scripture, journal and affirmations has been huge. It gets me alert mentally and also inspires me to be better and more patient.
Your #1 morning tip for moms:
Find ways to start off positive! See what makes your kids and you the happiest and start your day that way.
For example, my daughter loves to snuggle. If we spend time doing that in the morning, the rest of the day is better. And my son loves to talk to me. If I give him the dedicated time, he’s happier! And if they’re happier, I’m much happier.
RELATED: How to Wake up Early When You’re a Night Owl
Lisa Mecham of Creative Fashion Blog
mother of four kids ages 10, 10, 8, and 4
What time do you wake up?
5:30 AM
Do you wake up before your kids?
Yes! For my sanity!
What is your typical morning routine?
5:00-5:30- I wake up. I keep a 32 oz water bottle next to my bed and start chugging it before I even get out of bed. It wakes me up and when I’m exceptionally groggy.
Honestly, I know if I get to my water bottle, I’ll actually make it out of bed.
From there I grab my robe and slippers, make a homemade latte, and set it on my desk. I’ve made sure everything is in place in my office the night before so I can get some work done early.
Next, I head to my living room, light a candle, and meditate for ten minutes by 5:30-6:00. It really centers me for the day ahead. Then when I sit down at my desk, I always write a full page in my gratitude journal (at least ten new things I’m grateful for) before I open my laptop.
Then, I work until 7:30 when my kids start waking up and make them breakfast. After, I’ll walk them to school with the dogs by 8:15 and then I’m back to take my youngest to preschool at 9:00.
Since my husband works from home too, we’re able to “divide and conquer” the kid-duties and have them all up and out the door quickly.
What is the most important part of your routine?
My gratitude journal and meditation practice are big game-changers for how the rest of my day unfolds.
Your #1 morning tip for moms:
Drink water early. It’s crazy how much it wake you up and gets your brain thinking clearly.
Claudia Gonzalez of Grace-Filled Mommy
mother of 2 boys ages 1 and 2
What time do you wake up?
Around 9:00 AM
Do you wake up before your kids?
No, because I’ve tried waking up earlier than them and they always wake up at the same time I do –so I’d rather sleep in. If I wake up at 6:00 AM, they also wake up at 6:00 AM (at least my 2 year old does).
What is your typical morning routine?
I will change diapers as soon as I wake up then go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. Then I’ll go make us some breakfast while they play together with their toys.
What is the most important part of your routine?
Staying on schedule. It helps me stay on top of everything so I can make time for my business as well. I want to make sure I give my kids my full attention & if things aren’t on our schedule then that tends to change up our routine which neither I nor my kids like.
Your #1 morning routine tip for moms:
My number one tip for a smoother morning routine would have to be to stay consistent with it. Kids thrive off of a routine & routines help both moms AND kids have a better day. So if you are consistent & you & your kids know what’s coming next (such as after their bath they know it’s nap time) you’ll definitely have a smoother & easier morning routine & overall day routine.
Alice Bolte of Cape and Apron
mother of 2 kids, ages 2.5 years and 4 months old
What time do you wake up?
5:00 AM
Do you wake up before your kids?
I do. I’ve tried working on meaty blogging tasks in the evening like writing posts and taking online courses, but I just found myself way too exhausted. My kiddos both wake up around 7 am and my husband works from home at 10 am. So my mornings from 5-9 are devoted to blogging tasks that require a decent amount of energy.
What is your typical morning routine?
Honestly, I usually roll out of bed at 5 am dragging my feet STRAIGHT to coffee. And I’ve found if I do not have a time-blocked schedule then I usually don’t get up. I need goals to say “no” to that wonderful, heavenly pillow.
My morning routine changes depending on my goals. Right now, my top goals include writing two posts a week, a newsletter and spending 1-2 hours on a blogging course a day… I get the posts out of the way first thing at the beginning of the week and it takes me about 5-8 hours per post. Post writing is divided into steps and I time myself on each step, so I force efficiently upon myself. I just don’t have the time otherwise…
With this in mind, a typical Monday morning looks like this:
5:00 – ALARM….coffee, quick food
5:15 – 6:00 – post outline & research
6:00 – 9:00 – writing
9:00 – 9:15 – get ready for the day
9:15 – take over the kids so my husband can get ready for work
After this, I usually have most of a post written (minimum 2500 words) and the next morning, I do the same thing. On Wednesday I format, do graphics, and schedule. Thursday is for newsletters and Friday is TBD time (wiggle room for my top goal time to spill into the next days). Evenings right now are devoted to a blogging education.
What is the most important part of your routine?
COFFEEEE. In all seriousness, the most important thing for me is opening my computer and getting RIGHT ON that BIG TASK for the morning first thing…no emails, no Facebook. Ruth Soukup calls this “eating the frog“.
Your #1 morning routine tip for moms:
Preparation. I need set goals and a blocked out schedule in order to resist the pillow’s sweet, beckoning gravitational pull. My advice is to have clear goals and then a weekly schedule that’s reviewed and edited at the end of each week. This makes a world of a difference.
RELATED: 13 Motivational Quotes to Wake Up Early and Start Your Day With Energy
Nadia Saco of Mom Shirt Co.
mother of 5 year-old girl, 4 year-old boy, and a 22 month old girl
What time do you wake up?
7:30 AM
Do you wake up before your kids?
No, my husband wakes up with them so I can sleep in!
What is you typical morning routine?
My husband makes breakfast and gets the kids dressed. Typically I finish getting them ready by putting on their shoes and jackets. I brush my teeth, put my contacts in, fix my hair, get dressed. I fill my water bottle and put on my gym shoes. I fill a bottle for my youngest. And we go to the gym. Except on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I drop my son off at preschool first.
What is the most important part of your routine?
Attending the gym. I feel super off when I don’t get to go!
Your #1 morning routine tip for moms:
Wake up before the kids and get a head start! Something I need to work on.
Melanie James of Casual Game Revolution
mother of 2 girls aged 5 and 7
What time do you wake up?
6:45 AM
Do you wake up before your kids?
What is you typical morning routine?
6:45 – wake up and say prayer
6:55-7:35 – make breakfast, get kids ready for school
7:35-7:50 – (while my husband takes the kids to school) have my breakfast and clean up the table after breakfast. Clean up any major messes or quick household tasks.
7:50-8:00ish – work on laundry (start a load if needed and fold) I always make sure that whatever clothes will be needed the next day are available in the kids drawers.
8:00-8:30- take shower and get ready for day.
8:30-8:45- check email, look over planner, make plan for morning.
Then I do whatever work I need to until I pick up my youngest from preschool at 11:30. While I work, if my work doesn’t require too much focus, I listen to scriptures followed by podcasts or books. The same is true when I do housework.
What is the most important part of your routine?
Just getting a sense of order and a plan for my day really helps. I also like how habitual it is so it just carries me through from one thing to the next without having to really think much about it or tap into my will power before the day had even really started.
Sometimes I think it might be a better use of my time to do something other than my quick housework routine while the kids are at school. But I know that this is the only time of day that I can make it all a habit because no other time is really consistent enough with what is going on.
Even if I need to get to something quickly, I preserve the habit by just touching base with each activity. Maybe I only fold clothes for 1 minute, but that still keeps the habit alive. I love that by 9:00 AM I already have a sense of accommodate and some order every day.
Your #1 morning routine tip for moms:
Keep it simple when you’ve got kids around. I hear about very elaborate routines that some people have and I used to think that was what I needed.
However, every attempt to pack in a ton of things, or start 30+ minutes before the kids were awake totally failed for me and left me feeling completely discouraged. But just a few simple things is doable on a routine basis no matter what else is happening and makes me feel on top of things.
RELATED READING: 5 Keys to a Stress-Free Morning With Kids
Amber Hollis of Hollis Homestead
mother of a 3 year old and a 6.5 year old
What time do you wake up?
4:30 AM
Do you wake up before your kids?
Yes to work out and get ready for work.
What is you typical morning routine?
4:30 – put on workout clothes I have set out the night before then so a 45-60 min workout
5:30-6:00 – shower and get ready for work
6:00-6:15 – make coffee and breakfast
6:15 – I wake kids up so they can eat, then get them ready for school/preschool
6:55 – we leave the house for work and school
What is the most important part of your routine?
Waking up early to work out is the most important part of my routine. If I didn’t do it then it would never get done in my day. No matter how hard I try and plan working out at a later time in my day it does not happen and if It does it’s disruptive to the rest of the days routine.
Your #1 morning routine tip for moms:
My number 1 tips is to do as much as possible the night before. The more organized you start the morning the easier the routine is to stick to.
Here are the things I do at night:
- Set out my workout clothes and know which workout I’m doing the next day
- Make lunches
- Fill up my water bottles and make protein shake
- Organize my kids school stuff(homework, library books, clothes)
- Pick what we are having for dinner and get the meat out of the freezer or prep the meal if possible.
WHAT WILL YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR MOM MORNING ROUTINES
What a treasure trove of great ideas for crafting a fantastic morning routine! (I told you there would be a lotta gems!)
As we can see from the fantastic examples above, there’s no one right way to start your day. And your ideal routine may change as your life and situation change. The key is to find what works for you and your current family situation.
So what do you want to change about your mornings? How can you start your day a little happier or more organized?
You’ve got this, mama!
P.S. If you’re really ready to jumpstart your morning, check out the free 5-Day Morning Makeover email challenge where you will create a morning routine that starts your day with focus and energy.
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