Let’s set up the day for success! Whatever your day holds, let’s reclaim the mornings. We can start the day with time to ourselves, a house that is reset for the day, and with a peaceful atmosphere. I am not a morning person. But it is particularly important to me that we begin each day well.
In our house, once the kids come downstairs it is time to start morning chores and breakfast.
I have (hopefully) had time to myself doing my own morning routine. [See this post.]
I need some time to be alone, shower, get fully dressed, have some coffee in a dark kitchen and read. It does not go well if my day begins with others needing something from me before I feel fully human.
I have so much more to give when I meet my own needs first.
Years ago I heard from Julie Bogart in the Brave Writer podcast to “let your kids begin their day on their own terms. Everyone deserves to make a choice in the morning, within reason, about what they want to do for an hour or so.” (paraphrase)
[here is her very practical podcast on homeschooling and parenting]
That was pivotal for me. It struck me that I wanted to start my day on my own terms too! I wanted to have some time before anyone needed anything from me. I began getting up earlier so that I could have some time alone.
But the kids needed space for themselves too. So, we started setting two alarms.
The first alarm is when they are allowed to get out of bed (usually around 7:30am) and the second alarm is when they have to start morning chores (at 8:30am). They have an hour to do what they would like from a list that we created together.
Morning Free Time for my kids:
- Read books
- practice piano
- draw or color
- play Legos alone or together
- build with the magnet [add link]
- do a typing lesson
- play computer games that make their brain work (like Minecraft)
- listen to an audiobook
- play with the Hot Wheels cars & the car mat
When the second alarm goes off (at 8:30) they must clean up and do their morning chores. There are some basics that everyone must do and then other household tasks that are assigned by age and ability.
Morning Chores – self-care basics:
We see these as basic activities that come with being a responsible human. I have trained my kids to do each task on their own starting at age 4.
- get dressed
- pj’s in the laundry
- make bed / clean up room
- brush teeth & brush hair
- drink water
The Morning Routine of my teenage daughter looks a bit different than the others. (or even my routine) She has created her own rhythm that works for her.
Some things that she does in the mornings:
- Gets woken up by her kitten meowing and pawing.
- Makes bed and opens blinds.
- Brushes teeth.
- Washes face/skincare routine.
- Gets fully dressed, does hair and makeup.
- Drinks a bunch of water.
- Writes out a To-Do List or Bullet Journal update.
- Goes downstairs to check her phone and send texts to friends.
Morning Chores – household tasks:
These are typically household tasks that could be done at any time of day but I choose to get them done in the morning so that I don’t have to fit them in later. No matter what the rest of the day holds, we have started on the right foot. Sometimes we skip morning chores to get out the door quickly, and that is okay too.
- change the bathroom hand towels & kitchen towels
- feed the cats / scoop out cat boxes
- feed and water dogs
- take out the trash and recycling
- get the mail
- get out the kid vitamins
- farm chores – animals watered, fresh hay, feed, and collect eggs.
- quick wipe down of bathroom sink
- unload dishwasher
- sweep kitchen floor
- fill up our metal water bottles for wherever we are going
- wash out kitchen sink
- load laundry
Each person has a list of what they are in charge of. By the time we eat breakfast, the house looks cleaner and the animals are fed. These simple routines have made things around our house more manageable and peaceful.
Each of these categories form the structure of what we want in our family life. They are the pieces to the puzzle that we have chosen. I challenge you to find the pieces that matter to you.
I am always looking for more inspiration and ideas. In fact, I am about to go through all our lists and revamp some things for summer time. We have to be flexible and ready to adjust.
I am no longer trying to find “the perfect routine”. That does not exist.
But I do find it helpful to have a list of what works for me right now, in this season.
You will see changes in your family, so you need to be flexible. There may be moments where the routine is stifling, even though it used to give you life.
If your routine doesn’t feel good, if it isn’t satisfying, if it doesn’t support the well being of the family, then something needs to change.
“The morning routine is not your master – it is your servant, and you get to decide what works for your season and stage.”
Schedule vs. Routine: While a routine and a schedule might seem interchangeable, they are different.
A schedule is a planned itinerary, a list of programs or actions tied to specific times. A routine is something that you do on a predictable basis, but that is not necessarily tied to specific times.
– from Julie Bogart, the Brave Writer Podcast [in this post]
Inspiration
These women have shown me great examples of doing my mornings in a way that works for me and my family.
4 of my favorite You Tube videos about Morning Routines:
- Farmhouse on Boone – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpS_Aqg8pC8
- Nakisha Wynn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L83MKlPdoY
- Pam Barnhill – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4I_Zs8O-2A
- Daily Connoisseur – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e-1v3wWXJQ
In our house, harmony happens when everyone knows what is expected and what is planned.
My goal here is to share some ways that I have built routines (specifically in the mornings). Tools that I use to spend time on what is most important to me. To embrace the day today with calm, planning, and what I want my life to look like.
Structure your life around what is important to you, your kids, and the lifestyle that you want to go after.
- What chores would you love to have done everyday without reminding the kids to do them?
- What are some areas of the house that get piled with random things?
- Is there a counter or spot that needs to be reset every morning?
- Do you have pets that need to be cared for?
- What daily chores can your kids do to help out with the household tasks?
- This will take training and time but totally worth it.
Do you have needs that must be met in the mornings that I have not listed?
What can you add to your morning routine?
- Packing lunches?
- Cleaning up the apartment?
- Prepping sports equipment for after school practice?
- Homework check?
- Feed the fish?
- Set out dinner ingredients?
- Make a note/send a text about evening plans?
- Check calendar
- Respond to personal email?
The Morning Greeting
Another piece of our mornings is the Morning Greeting. When we all gather for breakfast, I stop and greet Jim and my kids with a hug, a smile, and a happy comment. I take a minute to acknowledge each child and show them love.
This has radically changed my attitude and the atmosphere of our day.
It slows me down so I remember what is most important, I am centered on my kids and not the tasks to be done. It starts the day with love and kindness.
This takes me just a few minutes of time, but it sets the tone for the entire day. [check out this post to hear more]
Let’s set up the day for success! Whatever your day holds, let’s reclaim the mornings. It can be a time for you and for starting the day well.
Include your kids, if they are old enough, to help set up a morning routine that is life giving and peaceful for everyone. It will radically change the dynamic in your home.
Have a great morning!! – April
Welcome to the Productivity for Moms Series!
Here are the other posts that you might enjoy.
- Morning Routines
- Weekly Household Chores – the upkeep of the home
- The Monday Meeting – Communication with my kids about the week ahead
- List-Making – Reflection and focus are the purposes of list-making. Not getting all the tasks done.
- My Weekly Planning – My Weekly Review & Bullet Journaling: ideas and tips
- 10 Roadblocks That Stop my Productivity – Things that hold us back, slow us down, and cause us to overthink.