Let’s be honest, mornings with small children and a dog can feel a little chaotic sometimes. While every morning doesn’t always go as smoothly as I would hope, there are three things that consistently help our days start off on the right foot.

1. Wake Up Before the Kids

This has been the biggest game changer for me.

Even if it’s only 15–20 minutes (30 minutes is my ideal), having a little bit of quiet time before the kids wake up helps me show up as a calmer, more present mom.

I don’t usually get fully dressed right away because, let’s be real, there’s a good chance someone will throw their breakfast on or at me, but I do wash my face with cold water to help me wake up, brush my teeth, put my hair up, and take a few moments to just be before jumping right into taking care of everyone else.

If I have a little extra time, I love to spend it reading a devotional, journaling, praying, or simply sitting with a hot cup of matcha. Whatever fills your cup spiritually and emotionally, I encourage you to make space for it. Taking care of yourself first isn’t selfish, it helps you care for your family from a full cup.

Disclaimer: If you are in the newborn season or your littles have inconsistent sleep patterns, make getting rest your priority. There are certainly times where my kids are my alarm clock, but the days I wake up before them, things are much smoother.

2. Prep Breakfast Ahead of Time

One of the easiest ways I’ve reduced stress in the mornings is by having breakfast ready to go.

Whether it’s homemade egg bites, healthy oatmeal bites, sourdough pancakes, or waffles that I’ve made in batches and frozen, having something I can quickly heat up means I’m not scrambling to figure out breakfast while everyone is hungry.

Future me is always thankful when past me spent a little time prepping! I usually like to do this on Sunday afternoons to prep for the week ahead.

3. Keep a Predictable Morning Routine

My kids thrive on knowing what comes next, specifically for my toddler.

Our routine is simple:

• Wake up
• Go potty
• Eat breakfast
• Get dressed
• Brush teeth
• Head out the door

Of course, every morning doesn’t go exactly as planned, but having a consistent game plan helps reduce power struggles and gives my toddler a sense of control because he knows what to expect. The baby at this point is pretty go with the flow.  At the end of the day, my goal isn’t to create the perfect morning. It’s to create peaceful ones and I’ve found that these three things make a noticeable difference for our family.

I’d love to know—what’s one thing that makes your mornings run more smoothly? Share it in the comments so we can learn from one another!

With Gratitude,
Angie
Moved by Motherhood