I’m a total morning person. I love the mornings. I love waking up when it’s dark, watching the sunrise, and feeling like I’m the only person on the planet for a split moment. I’m also a mom and a pretty productive person. I have a lot of things I like to do. Several years ago, you would’ve caught me writing about why getting up at 5am is the *only* way to live… puh-lease. Oh, my sweet younger self. If only I could show her that she still has so much to learn.
From the ages of 25 to 28, I feel that becoming a parent has resulted in a serious maturity upgrade. My more seasoned perspective transcends a lot of old beliefs, and that feels really obvious when I’m scrolling Youtube or the ‘gram and see content that former me would’ve lapped up. It’s even more obvious when I hear peers saying certain things and I cannot relate. My days of relating to anyone who doesn’t have kids are completely over. I wish it weren’t so but it is, so let’s get into it!
When it comes to mornings, I’ve done it all. All kinds of “perfect morning routines”, from the 6am gym sessions to being a member of the 5am club and reading any and all material about why getting up early is a virtue. Spoiler: it’s not a virtue and no one is waiting at the end of the morning to give you an award. So if that’s what you’re striving for, disappointment abounds! With my newly developed understanding of life and balance and all that, my morning routine has changed to reflect this. And I think I’ve cracked the perfect morning routine! I really think this is The One.
The Perfect Morning Routine
Let me tell you how it looks and then I’ll explain:
5.45 am – Coffee machine timer goes off and starts brewing a fresh pot
6 am – Wake up and lie in bed for 15 minutes while the smell of coffee wafts upstairs
6.15 am – Go downstairs, feed the fish, and pour myself a hot cup of jo
During this time, I journal, make a to-do list, look out the window… whatever I want.
7 am – Game face! Time to put sausages and bacon into the oven, cook some eggs, and make school lunches.
7.30 am – After my breakfast and second and third cups of coffee, I go back upstairs to get dressed. Workout gear if I’m working out, and normal clothes otherwise. I do my makeup.
7.50 am – I get the girls up. Usually awake and playing quietly in bed. Pyjamas and nappies come off immediately. Beds are made. We head downstairs where I’ve laid out their breakfasts in the living room on a blanket to protect the rug and turned on cartoons. Yes, they are typically unclothed for this part.
8 am – Fresh nappies. I dress my eldest for school while she eats breakfast. I dress the baby after breakfast because she’s so messy, it’s unbelievable. I do their hair.
8.20 am – Wash up the dishes and sit down for some cuddles.
8.30 am – Everyone piles into the car for school drop-off.
It’s really important to me that mornings in my home are peaceful, loving, and orderly. It’s the whole reason I get up a little earlier than I need to prepare breakfasts and set the scene for a harmonious morning. I think my kids thrive in these mornings. Everyone’s needs and wants are catered for without compromise. And as you can see from this routine, I’ve struck that chord pretty well! I like taking off their pjs straight away because it says “today is a school day, we must leave the house early” and the kids just… get it! It’s a way of communicating that they understand without any friction. And then everything else gets easier. My 3 year old happily lets me dress her (because she’s cold haha) and do her hair! It’s a miracle.
The best part is that I still have a morning coffee to myself and it doesn’t need to be 5am! AND I leave the house feeling like my best self. I even accessorize. Another great part of this morning routine is how flexible it is! Sometimes, I get dressed immediately upon waking and can get a workout in before cooking breakfast, or I can write blog posts. Sometimes, I put the girls into the shower first thing and then I get dressed while they’re playing together. Other mornings, I’ll use my extra time to put some laundry on. The girls get to wake up on their own terms, playing peacefully. I get my coffees, everyone gets fed. It’s a win win win situation.
In the past, my mistake was trying to make every day look the same. That’s why waking up at 5am appealed to me. All the successful people do it, right? Yeah, I don’t care about that anymore. What matters is feeling at ease and sharing that ease with my children, showing them that living doesn’t equal dreary. I used to fool myself into believing that I wasn’t going anywhere if I didn’t tick certain boxes. Now, the bar is a lot lower but my scope for productivity is much higher. It’s a little counter-intuitive but it works, trust me.
Oh and if there’s a morning where my toddler is reaaallllyy slow at eating breakfast for some reason, I just bring it in the car and she eats on the way. This really saves me from stressing out and yelling about how we have to leave for school !! I mean, really, what’s the big deal?
