A Simple (Realistic) Morning Routine for Working Moms

Morning routines. I know, the word “routine” can make you say “ugh”. It sounds so rigid, doesn’t it? Like you’re about to sign up for boot camp. So, let’s reframe it. Think of it as a game plan.

A strategy to get your day started with less chaos and more calm. Because as a working mom, you need all the calm you can get.

I don’t know what season you are in. Maybe you’re wrangling toddlers, getting school-aged kids out the door, or making sure your teenagers wake up sometime before noon.

Regardless, we all know that mornings can be a whirlwind. But here’s the thing—your morning routine doesn’t have to look like the highlight reel on Instagram. It just has to work for you.

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Finding What Works for You in Your Daily Schedule 

I know some of you might read this and think, “I’m not a morning person, and a set routine feels impossible!” And that’s okay. We all have different rhythms. For some, it’s about blocking out time and for others, simple to-do lists can be just as effective. If that’s you, don’t overthink it.

Make a list of the tasks that are most important, and tackle them as the day unfolds. Just knowing what you need to get done can take a load off. I use a combination of both. 

And let’s not forget—quality time doesn’t always require hours. It doesn’t need to be some big event to feel like you’re checking in with yourself, your family, or your home. A little goes a long way, especially when you have a solid evening routine that helps set the stage for the next day.

Think about it: if you do a bit of prep at night—whether it’s folding laundry or laying out outfits for the next day—your mornings will feel more relaxed, and your day will flow a whole lot better.

Add Meal Planning to Your Morning (or not)

Here’s a little bonus: while you’re in your groove, it’s a great time to think about the meals you’ll need for the day. You know how easy it is to forget that you need to take something out of the freezer or that you have a crockpot meal you could throw together. Incorporating this kind of thought into your morning routine (even if it’s just five minutes) can save you time and stress later on.

I will set the crockpot out on the counter the night before to remind me that I was planning on throwing dinner in there before work. 

Remember, I get it—it’s a lot to juggle. But that quiet time in the morning? It’s one of the best ways to set yourself up for success. By taking a few minutes for yourself—whether it’s for quiet reflection, writing, or even planning meals—you’re setting the tone for a smoother day ahead.

Creating Your Own Daily Routine

Finding a routine that works for you might take time, and that’s perfectly fine. You don’t have to have it all figured out in one go. But start by creating a daily to-do list with specific points. Over time, you’ll get a better sense of what helps you feel organized and prepared. Whether it’s time-blocking, lists, or a combination of both, the goal is to make sure you’re moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.

Step 1: Know How Long Things Take

First up: time management. You’ve heard it a million times, but let’s break it down. Do you actually know how long it takes you to do your morning tasks? I didn’t. For the longest time, I thought I could pack lunches in five minutes. Spoiler: It takes ten.

Take a few days to time yourself. How much time does it take to make coffee, get the kids dressed, or fix your hair? Knowing this is like having a cheat code. It lets you plan a realistic schedule, instead of one that turns into a mad dash the moment you oversleep.

Step 2: Work in a Logical Order

Here’s the golden rule of mornings: don’t make it harder than it needs to be. Start with what makes the most sense. For me, it’s getting dressed. Always getting dressed first. 

Here are a few routine tips to help you take the morning decision making out of getting dressed: 

1. Pick out what you are going to wear the night before. I always pick out a top and hang it right out in front of the rest of my clothes. I mentally pick out the pants and shoes that will go with it. That works for me. Feel free to lay out the entire outfit if that is what will work for you. What I consider the best way, might not be right for you. Make small adjustments. 

2. Only have what you will actually wear in your closet or drawers. That means getting rid of things if they are itchy, uncomfortable, never worn, or don’t fit. This take the “decision fatigue” out of this part of your morning routine. 

3. Use a uniform approach and have a simple weekly rotation of clothing. You might end up wearing the same top every Monday, but with a different pair of pants. I have the same shirt and pants that I wear every Friday and no, I don’t care if people know it. I call it my Friday outfit. 

4. Group your clothes by categories and seasons. You could have all the short sleeves items together, but group them by casual, workout, and dressy. 

5. If you are going to wear accessories, keep them simple, and lay them out as well. Boring, well, we are trying to keep this realistic. 

Think about the flow of your morning. If you’re packing lunches, does it makes sense to grab the kids’ backpacks at the same time? Where are items located? 

My closet is right there, so the first thing I do is to get dressed. Why wander around in pajamas when you can feel a little more human right away? I do want to stay in my PJ’s sometimes (a lot of times), but getting dressed for the day does help move you in the right direction. 

From there, I head into the bathroom to tackle hair, skin care, and all the “let’s try to look put-together” business. And while I’m at it, I tidy up a bit.

Basically, I try to put things back where they go and don’t leave them on the counter. If it makes sense for you, put away the bathroom stuff you’re done with—like your curling iron or hairbrush.

But if you’re short on time (because mornings happen), wait until after breakfast when you’re back to brush your teeth. By then, your curling iron’s cooled, and you can pack it up without setting the drawer on fire.

Now, let’s talk beds. If your bed is staring you down as you’re getting dressed, take two minutes to straighten it up. Seriously, it doesn’t have to be perfect—just pull up the covers. But if someone’s still snoozing in it (been there!), no worries.

At my house, my husband makes the bed for us. It’s amazing—I come home to a clean bathroom and a made bed. Talk about starting and ending the day on a win!

The key here? Work with what’s right in front of you. Do little things as you go so you’re not staring at a tornado of chaos when you get home. You’ll thank yourself later, I promise.

A logical order keeps you from backtracking. And less backtracking means more time to sip that ice cold water before it gets hot, lol, well, for you all hot cozy coffee before it gets cold.

Step 3: Break It Into Bite-Sized Tasks

Some people think a morning routine has to be this epic, two-hour event with yoga, journaling, and a four-course breakfast. Let me tell you—it doesn’t. It’s okay if it does though, imagine!

Instead, focus on small wins. Maybe you unload the dishwasher while your coffee brews. Or you put the laundry in the dryer while the kids are brushing their teeth. These little tasks add up, and before you know it, you’ve knocked out half your to-do list without breaking a sweat.

Step 4: Wake Up Before Your Family (If You Can)

This one is tough. Waking up early isn’t easy. But trust me, those 15 or 30 minutes of peace and quiet can set the tone for your entire day. I can sleep, and I love to sleep in. But, I think I love sleep and waking up before others more. Here are some tips to help achieve this. The real secret is that it all starts the night before.

Use that time for whatever you need most. Maybe it’s a quick workout, reading a devotional, or just sitting in silence with your coffee. The point is to give yourself a head start before the chaos begins.

• Go to Bed on Time. This one’s non-negotiable. I know there are a million things calling your name after the kids go to bed, but if you’re staying up till midnight scrolling on your phone, waking up early will feel like climbing Everest. Pick a bedtime that gives you enough sleep and stick to it. I know that 9:45 PM is my sweet zone! 
• Create a Restful Sleep Environment. Make your bedroom a haven. Think soft covers, cool sheets, and maybe even a white noise machine. I love curling up in bed when it feels like a cozy retreat. It’s amazing how much better you sleep when your space is inviting. Oh, and we use an actual box fan for background noise. Hey, it’s what works for us. 
• Wind Down Without Screens. This one’s tough but so worth it. Trade the phone for a book or a journal before bed. Scrolling social media keeps your brain buzzing, while reading or writing helps it slow down. Bonus points if it’s a light, uplifting read that makes you feel good. I highly suggest Joanne Flukes, Hannah Swensen Series. It’s like melatonin on a page, in a good way. They are easy to read, lighthearted, and good every time. 
• Set your alarm clock and don’t hit snooze. I made a choice, get up the first time my alarm goes off so I don’t have to hear that terrible noise again. I also say a prayer the night before that I will wake up before my alarm. Putting my feet on the floor is the harder step, but it can be done. 

Here’s the thing—waking up before your family isn’t about becoming a morning person overnight. I don’t know that I am really a morning person, but I do love waking up before everyone. It’s about giving yourself the chance to start the day on your terms. It doesn’t have to be perfect, either. Some mornings you’ll wake up early and conquer the world. Other mornings, you’ll hit snooze. And that’s okay.

But on the mornings you do get up early, you’ll feel it. That little win at the start of the day can carry you through anything—well at least a good five minutes. And trust me, it’s worth it.

Step 5: Tailor It to Your Stage of Life

The truth is, your morning routine will look different depending on your kids’ ages. When mine were little, mornings as a working mom were really tough. Side note, you are not alone, it is hard, and try to take just take one baby step at a time. Now that I have teenagers, it’s more about making sure they are awake before I leave, but it is so much easier in regards to my personal morning routine involving kids at this point. 

But no matter the stage, there are some universal truths. Waking up before your family, having systems in place, and knowing your goals for the morning can make all the difference. It sets the stage for the rest of the day. Work-life balance is hard! Is there actually a balance? That’s a conversation for another time.

If you are a stay-at-home mom or a mom working outside of the home, it is a struggle and we all are looking for the best tips to start our busy day on the right foot. 

A Sample Schedule (My Routine)

I know we all have system, or not, but after my very intensive research (talking to other moms) I know that we all see the benefit of finding a morning system and schedule that works and that we love being up before everyone else. 

This simple routine works for me because it’s predictable but flexible. It is mindless. I’ve built in pockets of time to take care of my home, my family, and myself. I hope this helps you to find something that works for you. 

Here’s my realistic morning routine: It’s realistic, because it is what I really do.

6:00 a.m. – Alarm goes off. (I try not to hit snooze. I can’t stand the sound of it.) This wake-up time works well for me, but not if I didn’t go to sleep on time. Yikes!

6:02 a.m.- Head into the closet and get dressed for the day. 
6:07 a.m. – Bathroom time: freshen up, get ready for the day.
6:20 a.m. – Sit at the counter with my Bible. Read the chapter of Proverbs that matches the day. Pray and reflect.
6:25 a.m. – Tidy up: put away dishes from last night or fold a load of laundry if needed. Not much to do, because I have a pretty good night time routine in place as well. I have this, because I’m in my forties and I’ve had time to work out some kinks. 
6:30 a.m. – Five-minute wake-up exercise routine. Nothing fancy, but it gets my body moving.
6:35–6:50 a.m. – “Me time” (aka-free time): write a blog post, plan out daily tasks, or work on something creative. I write all of my goals and to-do’s in a notebook and then I number them based on importance. This keeps them from taking up space in my brain all day.
6:50 a.m. – Prep lunches or snacks for the day. My teen still in high school, packs his own lunch, but I will put the container in the top of the fridge and remind him about it.  
7:00 a.m. – Transition into the day: check in on those who need to wake up, handle breakfast, or tie up any loose ends.

7:10 a.m. – Out the door and off to work. I grab my work bag, my lunch bag, and now I am ready to start my work day away from home. 

This routine keeps me sane. It’s simple, practical, and gives me space to start my day intentionally. Plus, it’s totally adaptable. 

A Few Final Thoughts on Creating a Good Routine 

Your morning routine doesn’t have to be perfect. Some days will go smoothly, and others will feel like a circus. That’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress.

So, whether you’re a mom of toddlers, tweens, or teens, remember this: you’re doing amazing. And if your morning routine involves reheating your cozy cup of coffee three times, you’re in good company. 

What’s your go-to morning routine tip? Share it below—I’d love to hear what works for you! It might inspire others as well. What is your best advice when it comes to a good morning routine? 

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