There’s a lot of talk of morning routines and how important they are . I had moms tell me to get up early before the kids to get time for yourself .. yes time in a quiet house sounded like a dream . People raved about the book the 5 am club and how life changing it was for them to make this switch.
Well when your a mom sleep is hard to get especially if your a mom with children who wake up at night, sometimes multiple times a night and then to top it off they still get up early in the morning! Yup that’s my life so getting up before my kids felt like this overwhelming task and honestly the thought of this just left me feeling depressed and frustrated. I’m already barley getting sleep and now my only way to get time for me in the morning is too get up early and give up more sleep.. I just couldn’t do it.
So if you’re like me and don’t want to sacrifice sleep in the morning then I want to say you don’t have to. There’s other options, so find what works with your lifestyle and phase of motherhood and don’t feel guilty about the morning routine you choose for yourself . Do what works for you !
Some nursing mommas do their morning feeding and then sit with baby and do their Bible time … some mommas load up the kiddos in a stroller and head out for a morning walk. Some moms I know get the kids to school and then come home to do their self care morning routine, so find what works for you with the time that you have. Involve the kids or do something alone .. do what feels fulfilling to you .
Now that my kids are a little more independent and can entertain themselves I typically get up when they wake up which is typically around 6 am .. I help get breakfast situated and then they eat, and usually watch a show and/or play. I tell them mommy is doing her Bible study I’ll be back in a little bit. They know where I am and know that if they really need something they can come get me but I did have to set the boundary with them that I need this time and to try not to come if it’s not an urgent matter. Most days they are good about giving me my morning time because they see the difference when I don’t. Haha Idk about you but I just feel more on edge when I don’t get my time with God in the morning.
That being said I wanted to share a bit more on how you can establish a morning routine in motherhood.
This list below are things you can do to help you have a good morning routine that can start your day of right regardless of what time you get up in the morning
- First ask yourself: What do I need to do to have a good start to my day and fill my cup ? This could be as simple as taking a few deep breaths, practicing gratitude, reading a devotional/bible.. a short morning walk or indulging in your favorite cup of tea to start your day..
- Once you know what you need to have a good day … then make that a non negotiable part of your morning routine. I want to mention that doing any of these things doesn’t have to take a long time .. determine how much time you want to spend on you in the morning..if you only have 10-15 thats ok. Doing something that fills your cup will help your day start off positively!
- A morning routine should serve you and fit your personality and lifestyle. It should not be rigid, if it’s too rigid it will be harder to stick to.
- Set a Wake-Up Time: Determine a reasonable wake-up time that allows for extra sleep but still leaves enough time to complete your routine without feeling rushed. Aim for consistency to regulate your body’s internal clock.
- If you wake up to an alarm getting up when it goes off and not hitting snooze will help. Mel Robbins says this line that has been so helpful “Get up right away when you wake up”
- Go to the same place every morning for your routine. A comfy chair, on the patio, kitchen table, a prayer closet,an at home office..etc. Have all your stuff you want to do in that space and ready to go so you can dive right into your routine and have enough time to do what you set out to do
- The success of your morning starts the night before. Spend some time before you go to bed doing the following items to reduce what needs to be done the next morning(Tidy Up…. Prepare for Tomorrow Lay out your clothes, if you need to leave in the morning pack your bag/ kids bags , start packing lunches for you and your kids, fill the water bottles, make a to-do list for tomorrow Prioritize sleep – If you are in the season where your kids are constantly waking you up throughout the night, getting to bed earlier is very important.
- If you have to rush out the door right away or if your kids are like mine and need to eat the second they wake up then prepare breakfast the night before this will make breakfast less stressful and also help prevent you from skipping breakfast for yourself due to lack of time. Overnight oats… smoothies, chia seed pudding, protein shake hard boiled eggs, Avocado toast, protein balls, or protein muffins are great options
- Connect with Loved Ones: Before diving into your day, take a moment to slow down and connect with your family members. Share a hug, kiss, a little cuddle time or a few words of encouragement to start the day on a positive note.
🍃 For for the mommas that want to have a calmer more fulfilling morning routine but don’t want to sacrifice sleep you can still make that happen on our own time line. Do what works for you .. if your kids sleep in and just setting your alarm 15 min prior to them waking up to have time for yourself that’s great . If your kids wake up with the sun like mine do …setting yourself up with a consistent routine that they can expect and one that allows you time for yourself will make a huge difference in how your day begins.
New routines take time and consistency so always start slow … pick one thing you want to accomplish in the morning that will fill your cup and find where in your morning you can make that happen . If you can’t do it the second you wake up that’s ok … you know yourself better than anyone and you know your family dynamic and when that self care time is . It might feel hard at first but don’t give up …. Soon enough you’ll have this new routine figured out. Your kids will adjust if needed and you will be so glad you stuck it out because that time for you will now become a cherished part of your day !
⬇️Comment with which of these tips you found helpful for your morning routine ??