The Real Morning Routine for Moms of Little Ones

Every time I read articles on “how to optimize your mornings as a mom,” I can’t help but laugh (and maybe cry a little inside). These tips sound great in theory, but for moms with tiny humans running around, they’re like asking me to run a marathon before my first cup of coffee. Let’s break down this so-called “perfect” morning routine for moms, shall we?

1. Get up early

Apparently, if I wake up before the kids, I’ll have time to “center myself.” Ah yes, the elusive concept of quiet time. But here’s the thing: my kids already wake up early enough to beat the sun! I can barely function because my sleep has been interrupted a gazillion times during the night—whether it’s by bad dreams, mysterious cries, or a 3 a.m. request for a glass of water that they barely touch. And when I do try to wake up earlier? They seem to have some super-sensory ability to detect this and wake up even earlier. So, the idea of getting up early is off the table, my friend.

Want to know how I really feel about the pressures of being a “perfect” mom? Check out my post on I’m Not a Supermom—because no one has time to fake it!

2. Get some exercise

Ah, exercise. Isn’t running after a toddler enough cardio for the day? My morning “workout” consists of lifting 30-pound children, dodging flying toys, and doing squats every time I bend down to pick something up (which is approximately every 30 seconds). So forgive me if the thought of a serene yoga session sounds like a far-off dream. What I really need is a large cup of coffee and some extra rest.

Besides, there’s nothing more exhausting than trying to clean up the aftermath of a meal with toddlers (especially when food goes flying everywhere!).

3. Do something for yourself

Ah yes, the golden advice: “Do something for yourself before the kids wake up.” In theory, this sounds fantastic. Maybe some yoga? Meditation? Journaling? But let’s be real—if I manage to wake up before the kids, the most I can muster is sitting still for five minutes, zoning out with a cup of (cold) coffee, or scrolling through Instagram without a toddler climbing on my lap. That’s my self-care. Because let’s face it: the moment I attempt anything more, the little ones will somehow sense my moment of calm and come bouncing into the room.

But sure, let’s say I could muster some energy before dawn. I could read, write, or maybe even do a face mask. But guess what? Most mornings, sleep is the best self-care I could ever give myself. Because the truth is, self-care looks different when you’re sleep-deprived, and that’s okay!

If you need more of that realistic view on balancing personal time, check out my post The Village That Wasn’t: Motherhood Away from Home.

4. Clean the house, just a little

The advice goes something like this: “Unload the dishwasher, wipe down the counters, make the bed, tidy the bathroom, start a load of laundry.” You know, all before 8 a.m. because apparently, we live in a parallel universe where kids are quietly playing while I scrub the floors.

This tip always gets me. Clean the house? With kids underfoot? Hilarious. Most mornings I barely manage to have breakfast. Sure, I try to make the bed, but by the time I’m done, someone’s already unmade it by jumping on it. At this point, if I manage to brush my teeth and get out of the house without a stain in my blouse, I consider it a victory.

The thing is, cleaning doesn’t have to be perfect. If your kids are alive and your floor isn’t sticky, you’re winning. Prioritize what you can, and don’t sweat the rest.

Honestly, I’d love a little time to relax and not have to worry about scrubbing the floors every day.

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So, What Does My Real Morning Look Like?

My mornings don’t include pre-sunrise meditation or cleaning in quiet. They’re chaotic, loud, and full of surprises. And that’s okay. The best thing we can do is embrace the mess (and maybe find a tiny window to sip some coffee while it’s still hot).

If you’re a mom like me, let’s give ourselves permission to skip the “perfect” routine and create our own rhythm. We don’t need fancy to-do lists. We just need to survive with a little laughter and grace.

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