How to Create Your Best Morning Routine Ever
Last Updated on July 19, 2024 by Alicia Michelle
A few years after becoming a mom, I realized I needed massive help with my morning routine.
Well, at first I didn't know that a lack of a morning routine was the culprit. All I knew was that I was so tired of feeling like my days as a stay-at-home mom were pure chaos.
What I eventually realized is that I needed a way to find refreshment and replenishment as a mom. And I found that a simple morning routine gave me the right attitude to start the day.
Do you want to have a more peaceful, joy-filled day as a mom? Let me help you develop your best morning routine that will bring harmony to your home (and joy to your daily rhythm)!
How a Morning Routine Changed My Mothering
Before I had a regular morning routine, I regularly woke up to the sound of children bickering over a toy (which meant I instantly became a referee); or to a child that needed to be nursed, bathed, fed and played with (you know the drill all too well, mama).
Before I created a helpful morning routine (that prepared me for the day ahead) I felt guilty nearly every day. You see, I loved being a mom and helping my kids… but, all of their needs first thing in the morning brought me immense stress and started the day off on the wrong foot.
Finally I realized my big problem: I'd been waking up to a household that was already happening.
Some how, some way, I needed to start my day off ahead of my kids.
I don't wake up to chaos anymore. Truly.
I made some small shifts to create a morning routine that has made all the difference in my mothering. And these are shifts that you can make too.
Every mom should feel equipped and ready to start her day off on the right foot, and I've found it starts with a good morning routine!
Let's help you get your morning routine in order too by asking a few simple questions.
Why Isn't Your Current Morning Routine Working?
First, what's the biggest source of your morning chaos? Start by asking yourself what you regularly get most frustrated about.
As I shared, my biggest issue was that I woke up to helping and serving others without giving myself any prep time for that service.
I didn’t bemoan the fact that my kids needed me to be their mom (with four kids, I’d kind of signed myself up for the job of boo-boo-healer and squabble-solver). I just needed some time—before the kids woke up–to put on the right attitude for motherhood’s challenging call.
How I Created My Best Morning Routine
The kids weren’t into staying in bed until 8:30 or 9 (go figure) so I knew that it was me that needed to change the morning routine.
First, I decided to start my morning routine earlier. Much earlier.
I started small. At first, I woke up half an hour earlier than normal. The kids were up when I woke up, but they at least were still somewhat zombie-like and were willing to let me close my bedroom door for a few minutes.
But just even this little bit of time gave me the ability to organize my thoughts and feel semi-human before the day started.
Second, I decided to do something soul-enriching as part of my morning routine.
Along with the basics (bathroom, shower, washing my face), I began spending 10-15 minutes reading my Bible (learn more here about how to have a daily quiet time). Time in God's word brought clarity and purpose to my day. It also reminded me that, yes, I was more than a mom and wife: I was a daughter of the King with an incredible purpose in this world!
(On the days when I need extra inspiration on what to study, here are some of the women's Bible studies and devotionals I reach for.)
I discovered that making Bible time part of my morning routine grounded me, and it gave me hope to know that my Savior cared about all my struggles (1 Peter 5:7) and even planned to use them to bless others in the future (2 Corinthians 1:2-7).
Then, a few days a week, a woke up a bit earlier and did some sort of exercise. Often it was simply going through an exercise video like this one (or this one–one of my favorites for Christian yoga) or walking on the treadmill.
But even investing this 15-30 minutes made a huge difference in my attitude. If nothing else, the endorphins that come from working out improved my outlook and made being a mom just a little less difficult.
Aim for Refreshment Not Perfection In Your Morning Routine
We all need something different in the morning to make us feel ready to approach the day. I've shared with you my ideas, but truly, see what refreshes you!
Write down some thoughts and just play with some ideas. Dream a little.
Can I make one other suggestion? Instead of jumping on a rigid schedule immediately to help with your morning routine, I suggest that you make tiny shifts toward change and then celebrate each one.
Maybe you start by just waking up a few minutes earlier. Let that change settle in and notice how you feel. Then slowly, over time, add in other things if you feel they would help you have better mornings.
Above all, give yourself grace as you feel through these changes. Real life is just that–real life–and it changes everyday! Kids (or moms!) get sick. Husbands travel and we need to pick up more responsibilities.
We can't expect ourselves to have the same schedule everyday, but we can aim for some general pillars in our day to keep us grounded.
Challenge yourself to get up before your kids for even one week and notice the difference. Then (once you’ve realized that it is humanly possible), do it for 30 days and make a new habit. It’s a great gift for you (and your kids) this year!
Other Helpful Posts on Starting a New Habit and Morning Routine
- 8 Ways to Stay Emotionally Replenished in Every Mothering Season
- To the Mom Who Wants Peace and Quiet: 10 Ways to Combat the Noise
- 4 Ways to Cope When Motherhood Feels Relentless
- How to Have a Quiet Time with God
Free 3-Day Bible Study to Create a Consistent Quiet Time + Grow Closer to God as Part of Your Morning Routine
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Agree with Alicia. Making a habit of waking up early in the morning and spending that time wisely is vital. You can spend that time into reading or writing blogs as well. I am a content writer at a growing IT firm, and usually schedule most of my blogs for writing in the morning when the mind is all fresh and where a lot of thinking needs to be done. Certainly a great blog.
Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing!
Awesome! I hope you were able to find some new ideas to get you into a healthy morning routine that starts your day off right!
Hi Tiffany! Thank you so much! Yes, getting up before the kids was a HUGE game changer for me too! Such a great way to start off the morning right! I’m so glad you discovered it too! Thanks again for stopping by!
Great post!! I recently made a similar change to help with my morning routine. I was waking up at the same time my kids needed to get started and I always felt ‘pushed’. Once the New Year started I been waking up 30 minutes before them… life changer! Things are so much easier now. Thanks so much for sharing your How To with us at Turn It Up Tuesday! We always love great content…
Love this post! I need to change up my morning routine. It is so stressful and I feel like all I do is yell at my kids to hurry up. There has to be a better way.
you have some valid points in this post. I work outside of the home and this makes it hard to have structure as I leave for work and my husband stays home I come home early afternoon. I am going to try to use your tips on my days off
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Hi Candice! Thank you! It really can make a big difference when we can find a routine that works for us first thing in the morning. I know when I’m “off” my routine, the rest of the day feels off kilter.
Love this post! I recently revamped my morning routine and it was so worth it.
Hi Crystal! Thank you! I agree. Getting into a strong morning routine was one of the best things I ever did for myself as a mom. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
This advice should be given to all mothers before they have their kids. It does honestly make a HUGE difference in how well a morning routine goes. I love waking up with time spent with God too.
Thank you for linking up with the #HomeMattersParty. We hope to see you again when we open our doors on Friday at 12AM EST.
Hi Hannah! A good morning routine can make all the difference! And the best part about it is that we can make that routine whatever inspires and encourages us! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
I love this, Alicia! Having a good morning routine has been one thing that has really helped me this past year. And you’re so right, small steps are the way to go, even just getting up 15 minutes earlier makes a big difference! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty!
Thanks, Jamie! Yes, sometimes just shaking things up a bit makes all the difference, doesn’t it? Thanks for your encouragement and for stopping by!
Great tips!! I think that sometimes you need to change up your routine a bit. Most of us have that certain list of what we have to do, but we shouldn’t be overwhelmed by it. Love your ideas! 🙂
Yay! Hi, Rebecca! I’m so glad you found it helpful! Yes, ’tis the season for planners and big goals! Woo hoo!
Oh, yes. Night owl here too. But I’ve come to really, really love the morning hours. Is it possible to be both a night owl and early riser?! Oh, wait, I’m a mom… isn’t that part of the job?! LOL Seriously though, switching to a morning routine (and doing my best to go to bed at a decent time) has made a big difference in my mothering and sanity, for sure.
I’m a morning person, but this is good advice, especially for night owls (like my daughter) who have to change up their routine to accommodate the needs of the family.
Yes!! This is such an important post for me right now as I’m getting our routine down and creating a checklist for my planner. Thank you!! 🙂
Oh, I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough morning. We’ve all been there!! I think it makes all the difference to have that time to yourself in the morning. I for one feel so much more human. 🙂 The great news is that you are determined to make a change… and you have God on your side to help you do just that! I haven’t always been an early riser either but I am a firm believer now. Take small steps (maybe get up 30 minutes earlier?) and commit to doing it for a week, and notice the difference. I enjoy spending that time reading the Bible, praying (and, if I’m able, writing). Find what works for you and reset your routine. Yes, we have to set the tone for the day! 🙂 Let me know how it goes!
Thanks, Alicia! Yet another morning of yelling (me) and crying (one kid and me) and feeling guilty (yes, me, again) while trying to get the six kids out the door for school led me to search for help on morning routines. I felt like God was telling me this morning, “YOU are the grown-up here. YOU set the tone for the day.” I do not enjoy getting up and dislike early mornings so I’m always trying to get that last 15 minutes of snooze time in. I was inspired by your advice and hope to have a better heart next week when I try to get up earlier to prepare myself. I’ll be looking for the early-to-bed blog, too!
Ha! Love the bunny clock idea, Lisa! I have one of those kids who has ALWAYS been an early riser, and I think we had something similar for him at that age. 🙂
I know my day goes a whole lot better if I’ve had my own “morning quiet time!” It can be hard to beat my youngest two though. So I got a special clock for my 4 year old that is set for 7:00. He’s not allowed to come out of his bedroom before his bunny clock “wakes up.” Now if I can just convince the baby that he doesn’t have to get up as soon as I do! 🙂