Tired of chaotic mornings? Here is how to create a simple mom morning routine (even if you’re not a morning person).
There is no mom who wouldn’t love a bit more sleep before the chaos of the day starts. I mean even if it’s just for five more minutes.
But those five minutes somehow stretch into twenty, and suddenly, you’re jolted awake by the sound of a little voice, or perhaps knocking on your bedroom door. And Viola! The morning chaos starts.
As a mom, the morning rush of getting the kids ready for the day can be a lot to handle. And honestly, it’s a lifelong commitment we can’t just opt out of.
From the moment the alarm goes off, you are rushing to make breakfast, trying to get everyone dressed, only to find one kid hunting for a missing sock, another refusing their food, someone else battling the toothbrush, and someone forgot their homework. The list truly never ends.
And it’s 8.00 AM already and here you are, running around in circles, up and down and everyone’s stress level is through the roof before the day even begins.
Sounds familiar, you are not alone. It is not your fault your mornings feel like a maze. Life is full of nonstop demands.
But what you need to avoid this chaotic kind of morning is a simple, realistic morning routine that works for you.
One that helps you feel a little more in control and a lot less stressed. One that takes into account your energy, your kids’ personalities, and the real-life messiness of motherhood.
So if your mornings currently feel like a disaster, come along! Let’s build a routine together that actually works, so your mornings can feel more peaceful and productive.
Why morning routines matter
I used to think morning routines were just for those annoyingly cheerful people who wake up at 5 AM to do yoga and drink green smoothies.
But the truth is, having some structure to your mornings, even a simple one can transform your entire day. Here are some reasons why having a morning routine is important:
- It Sets the Tone for Your Entire Day. This is more like beginning your day with intention, rather than reaction, so you have a sense of calm and control over the activities of the day.
- It lowers everyone’s stress: Kids thrive on predictability. When they know what to expect, they’re less likely to have meltdowns.
- This reduces decision fatigue: When you know what’s coming next, even if it’s just “wake up, drink water, make bed,” your brain doesn’t have to scramble and make a million micro-decisions right out of the gate. This takes a massive weight off your mental plate.
- It boosts Productivity and Focus: When you’ve had a few moments to yourself, your mind is clearer so you do things with clarity and focus.
How to Create a simple mom morning routine (even if you’re not a morning person)
1. Change your Mindset
If you’re anything like me, the moment someone says “morning routine,” your brain screams, “I’m not a morning person!”
But it’s not about being a morning person, it’s about intention. It’s about deciding, on purpose, what you want to do with your precious time, rather than letting the morning happen to you.
It is like going to the market to shop, no list, no plan, no bag, you will probably forget half of what you needed.
But if you walk in with a clear list and a route in mind, you feel much more in control. That’s what a morning routine does for your day.
A simple morning routine is a practice, not a performance. The goal isn’t to execute it flawlessly every single day.
The goal is to build this routine into a habit you can genuinely stick with, one that fits into your life rather than stressing you out and wearing you down.
Remember to give yourself grace, celebrate every tiny win, and know that each new morning is a fresh chance to start again
2. Preparing the night before
Prep your kitchen, set up your coffee maker, prep breakfast, setting out cereal boxes and bowls, pre-making overnight oats or putting ingredients in the blender for smoothies, Having yogurt cups and granola ready to grab, pre-slicing fruit and storing it in containers.
My friend Sarah makes the stew base every Sunday, with whatever meat she has, She then puts in containers. Every morning, if she wants to make Jollof rice, spaghetti or whatever, she just picks a bowl and the kids’ lunch is ready.
Lay out everyone’s clothes. This includes underwear, socks, and shoes. I learned this the hard way when my son had a complete meltdown because his “comfortable socks” were all dirty.
Pack school/work bags. Pack any special items needed for the next day.
3. Wake up before the kids
I wake up at least 15 – 30 minutes before the kids wake up. This gives me time to have a small, quiet buffer zone where I can simply be before the demands start.
I set my alarm for 30 minutes before I need to be up, letting it snooze every 10 minutes until I’m awake enough to actually turn it off. Then, I use that little bit of time for my own personal routine. It could be:
- Do my meditation.
- Drink a glass of water: So simple, yet so effective for waking up your body.
- Make my bed: It literally takes 60 seconds, but coming back to a tidy bedroom later in the day feels surprisingly good. It’s a small win to start your day.
- Brush my teeth and splash cold water on my face before dealing with kids: This is my personal favorite. Feeling fresh and clean before facing demands makes a huge difference. You’re prioritising your basic hygiene, not just reacting to theirs.
- Drink a coffee/tea in silence for 5 minutes: No phone, no TV, just you and your warm drink. This is a moment of pure, unadulterated peace.
- Do a quick 5 minute stretch: Just enough to get your blood flowing and feel a bit more limber.
You’ll be amazed at how those small, intentional minutes can shift the entire trajectory of your morning. Give it a try
Be consistent, and you’ll soon train your body to wake up at that exact time. Your system will naturally get used to the routine, making early mornings much easier.
4. Involve the kids
Your kids, even little ones, are more capable than you think. Give them tasks and chores according to their age.
They can dress the bed, bring their breakfast plate to the sink, put dirty pyjamas in the hamper and even get dressed on their own.
It empowers them, teaches responsibility, and takes a few things off your mental and physical plate, making your morning calmer.
Some common morning challenges and how to solve them
1. The chronic lateness problem
- Identify what exactly wastes your time: Are you spending 15 minutes looking for keys? Get a key hook. Are you making elaborate lunches? Prep them the night before.
- Build in buffer time: If you think something takes 10 minutes, allow 15. If you need to leave by 8:30, aim for 8:20.
- Create accountability: Set timers, use apps, or have a partner help keep you on track.
- Working with slow movers: If your child is naturally slow, start their routine earlier rather than trying to rush them.
2. If you have picky eaters
- Keep it simple: Offer 2-3 options that you know they’ll eat. Don’t turn breakfast into a negotiation.
- Prep ahead: Have accepted foods ready to go. If they only eat waffles, keep frozen waffles stocked.
- Don’t stress about nutrition: If they eat a decent lunch and dinner, breakfast doesn’t have to be perfectly balanced.
- Have backup options: Keep granola bars, fruit pouches, or other portable options for really difficult mornings.
3. Not finding items when you need them
- Designate homes for everything: Shoes go in the basket, backpacks go on the hooks, permission slips go in the folder.
- Do nightly prep: Check that everything is where it should be before you go to bed.
- Teach kids to prepare: Even young kids can learn to put their backpack by the door and lay out their clothes.
- Have backup plans: Keep extra socks, underwear, and a spare outfit in your car.
4. The Toddler meltdown morning
- Prevention is key: Keep routines consistent, give warnings before transitions, and make sure they’re getting enough sleep.
- Have de-escalation strategies: Distraction, choices, humour, or sometimes just acknowledging their feelings.
- Adjust expectations: If your toddler is going through a difficult phase, lower your expectations for smooth mornings.
There was a time my daughter went through a phase where she screamed every time she tried to brush his teeth. I started letting her “brush” her stuffed animal’s teeth first, then her own. Problem solved.
Here is a sample of a simple mom morning routine
5:30 AM – My Time
- Wake up 30 – 60 minutes before the kids
- Drink a glass of water
- Quick bathroom routine (wash face, brush teeth)
- Get dressed for the day
- Make coffee/tea and enjoy 10 minutes of quiet, pray and meditate.
6:00 AM – Prep Time
- Start breakfast (something simple like oatmeal, toast, or cereal)
- Prepare and pack lunch boxes if needed
- Quick tidy of kitchen counter and dining area
6:30 AM – Wake the Kids
- Gentle wake-up routine for each child
- Guide them to brush teeth and wash up.
- Help them get dressed
- Encourage independence where possible
7:00 AM – Breakfast Together
- Sit down for family breakfast
- Review the day’s schedule with kids
- Keep conversation light and positive
- Clean up together (kids can help with simple tasks)
7:30 AM – Final Prep
- Kids grab backpacks and shoes
- Quick hair brushing/styling
- Apply sunscreen if needed
- Mom grabs keys, purse, and any work items
8:00 AM – Out the Door
- Load into car or head to bus stop
- Give hugs and positive send-offs
- Mom heads to work or begins her day at home
When it all goes wrong. Don’t give up, one bad morning doesn’t ruin the whole routine. Just take a deep breath, reset, and try again tomorrow. Don’t beat yourself up.
How to wake up early when you’re not a morning person
But let’s be honest, for those of us who are truly not morning people, the idea of consistently waking up before the chaos can still feel like climbing Mount Everest in your pyjamas.
Understand your body and then make smart plans and strategies to make your morning routine both effective and sustainable.
You can start small and gradually push back your wake up time. Move your wake-up time back by just 15 minutes each week until you reach your goal. Your body needs time to adjust, and this prevents the shock of a dramatic change.
Use the night before and prepare everything you need. Since mornings are tough for you, do as much as possible when you’re more alert in the evening. Set out clothes, pack lunches, prep breakfast ingredients, charge devices, and put everything by the door.
Open curtains or turn on bright lights as soon as you wake up. This helps your brain understand it’s time to be alert. Have your coffee maker ready to go so you can start brewing immediately.
Motivate yourself. Give yourself something to look forward to in the morning, maybe a few minutes of exercise, a special coffee, a few minutes of reading, or your favorite music. When you have a small reward waiting, it’s easier to get out of bed.
Your daily routine will change as your kids get older. The schedule that worked great when your child was 2 years old probably won’t make sense when they’re 7. And what you did with your baby will be completely different from what you do with your toddler.
Don’t expect to create one routine and stick with it forever. You’ll need to make small changes, try new things, and sometimes throw out the old routine entirely when it stops working.
The goal isn’t to love mornings. it’s just to make them work for you and your family.
You may also see:
How to wean a toddler off pacifiers without meltdowns
How to help your Baby through a Sleep Regression (without creating bad habits)
How to get your baby on a schedule even if you have no routine yet
