Mornings in our house used to feel like a sporting event. However, instead of running hurdles, I was dodging last-minute lunch requests, searching for missing shoes, and refereeing who got the “good” spoon for cereal. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Mornings aren’t necessarily fun, but they can at least be enjoyable. And most importantly, they set the tone for the entire day. Over time (and after many chaotic mornings), I’ve learned a few tricks that have made our mornings smoother, calmer, and yes, even enjoyable. But my children have gotten older, so hopefully it will not take you nine years to come up with a morning routine that makes sense for your family.
Here are a few tips to consider when establishing a morning routine in your household:
1. Prep the Night Before
This one is an absolute game changer. Make sure those clothes are laid out, the backpacks are packed, and the lunches ready. Nothing kills the morning vibe faster than realizing the lunchbox is still sticky from yesterday or someone has zero pairs of clean socks.
2. Wake Up 15 Minutes Earlier
Yes, this one is painful for me because I am not a morning person. But I have noticed that giving myself some time in the morning decreases my chances of crashing out exponentially. By giving myself just a little extra time for coffee and little quiet makes me more patien…and less likely to yell, “WHY AREN’T YOUR SHOES ON YET?!”
3. Keep Breakfast Simple
We rotate between three or four options: cereal, waffles, yogurt and fruit, or scrambled eggs. No fancy Pinterest breakfasts here. If everyone’s fed and semi-happy, I call it a win. Consider grabbing grapes and a smoothie and dine in the car on the way to school too!
4. Kid-Friendly Checklist
We have a little chart by the door for the kids. Are your teeth brushed, hair done, bed made, shoes on, and backpack ready? The kids love checking it off and I love not sounding like a broken record every five minutes.
5. The “Last-Minute Basket”
Also by the door, I keep a basket with socks, hair ties, and snacks. Because somehow socks disappear between the bedroom and the front door. And then someone always remembers they need a snack right before leaving.
6. Embrace the Imperfection
Some mornings, it feels like we’re in sync while others we are basically running out the door with mismatched socks and half-brushed hair. And that’s okay. I’ve learned not to aim for “perfect” rather just “good enough to get us all out the door.” Remember, there are no bonus points for yelling everyone out of the door. Continue to practice that patience so that no one leaves with hurt feelings.
Bonus Hack: I set a playlist for our morning to get in our feels. Michael Jackson is always a crowd favorite and occasionally I mix in some Prince and Beyonce too!
Your mornings set the tone for the whole day. I want everyone to leave lighter and look forward to coming home after school. This requires a great amount of teamwork, and when everyone feels like they are a part of the team, we all win. Start with a little structure (and a lot of grace) and everyone leaves with lighter shoulders—and hopefully, a smile.
So here’s to surviving the morning routine chaos, one coffee sip at a time.
