Morning Routines are Good for Everyone!

I dream of mornings where I can sleep until I wake (no alarm), stretch in bed, get out and put on my slippers, wander downstairs, have a cup of coffee, and take in a nice quiet view of the woods behind my home.

This is not my reality. In fact, I don't know anyone who has this kind of life. My life is busy with children and getting up early and trying to get everyone ready and off to school. This means waking up to alarm, no stretching, and no quiet time with coffee in hand.

However, I have crafted 2 morning routines for my kids and myself in the last few years. And I would say that they are both life-saving and life-giving routines. My kids (and I do also) thrive on routine. Knowing what to do when and knowing what to expect each morning calms the chaos and keeps them on track.

Morning Routine for School Days (KIDS):

My kids know this is what we do every morning.....

1. Mom wakes me up with a Good Morning song.
2. Get dressed
3. Use bathroom
4. Downstairs for breakfast
5. Gather school snack & water bottle
6. Put on shoes
7. Brush hair
8. Back upstairs to brush teeth
9. Jackets & backpacks
10. Out the door!

*A key to this routine is we get up an hour before we need to leave. Yes, it is early and we could do this with less time if we hurried but with more time, we don't rush and the morning is more relaxed.
**Backpacks are usually readied with homework, signed forms, etc. the night before.

Does this always go smoothly and with ease in the morning? Nope. My son can do this routine with his eyes closed and in very little time. My daughter, on the other hand, likes to take her time. So she may play while she gets dressed. Then she may tell me a long story while she eats breakfast. She is my youngest so I give her lots of reminders to help her along in the morning.

My morning routine begins after the kids are off to school. I am fortunate enough to stay home so I have time after they leave. However, if I worked, I would try (really hard) to get up earlier in the mornings to have my routine. It is not long and helps start my day with a calm, happy heart.

Mom's Morning Routine :

1. Healthy breakfast eaten sitting down at my kitchen table
2. Prayer & bible study time
3. Check email / read blogs
4. Write
5. Exercise (yoga, run, strength train)

If I get all of these things accomplished early in my morning, I am in a better mood, calmer, more joyful, more peaceful, and also more energized. On those days where my morning routine is complete (meaning I don't skip a part because of some appointment or obligation), I find I am able to accomplish many more tasks or chores that day. It is an amazing feeling!

So what are your routines? Do you have a morning routine for your kids, but not yourself? Do you have a "plan" but it never actually happens? I would encourage to work toward putting some of that into action. Just start with one thing, like a healthy breakfast. Do that one thing until you feel you can add another. Build up. Just do it!