Morning Routine Checklist Tips To Be a More Productive Mom
Mornings can be a whirlwind for us moms…
Between getting the kids ready, managing breakfast, and trying to squeeze in a moment for ourselves, it’s easy to get dragged down by the mental load of motherhood and feel overwhelmed before the day even begins. But what if your mornings could feel more peaceful and productive? That’s where one of my favorite mom hacks, a well-planned morning routine, comes in. Whether you’re looking to create a few minutes of calm before the chaos or set a positive tone for the entire day, this morning routine checklist is here to help you find balance, one step at a time.
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Morning Routine Checklist
In case you don’t have time to read through the whole post, here’s my morning routine checklist. You can jump to the items that you want to learn more about.
Feel productive with this morning routine checklist!
Back in June I left my full-time Corporate job so I could focus more on being “Mom” and eventually find another job that works better for my current priorities. My old morning routine checklist was pretty similar to this one but it’s changed a bit over the last few months. Below is the morning routine checklist I currently follow.
1. Rise and shine with the 5-Second Rule.
When the alarm goes off, follow Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule. If you’re not familiar, the 5 Second Rule is this: if you want to act on something you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will convince you not to do it. By counting backwards from 5 and taking action, you can bypass those negative thoughts.
When the alarm goes off, it’s very easy to hit snooze and get a few more minutes of sleep. I count backwards from 5, and either get out of bed or do something else that helps me wake up, like take a sip of water, before I get down to zero. It helps me get moving and start the day. Getting a bit more sleep may seem like the better option in that moment, but then the rest of the morning ends up being rushed and I feel more stressed.
It takes practice. You may not master the 5 Second Rule the first time you try it, but it will get easier as time goes on.
2. Put on some lights.
Light helps to signal the start of a new day, so I like to either turn on a lamp or open the blinds to let some natural light come in. Once my bedroom is well-lit, I feel more alert. The early morning grogginess starts to go away!
3. Make the bed.
I hated to make my bed when I was younger, but now it’s a must in my morning routine checklist. For one, my bed just seems so much more inviting at bedtime if it’s nice and neat. In the morning, making the bed creates some orderliness, signaling the start of a new day. Studies have shown that people who make their beds are more productive.
4. Splash some water on your face.
Splashing water on your face is another habit that can help wake you up. I like to do it the first time I go into the bathroom each day. It helps my mind feel fully awake and more clear.
5. Prioritize your physical health.
Some people prefer to exercise at the end of the day, but I find that if I don’t work out in the morning it just doesn’t happen. I feel less guilt about it if I get it done when my kids are still sleeping, plus morning exercise gives me the energy I need to tackle whatever is going to come up during the day.
If you’re not someone who regularly works out, don’t pressure yourself to do daily workouts. Start with a day or two and then gradually add more. I target 5 morning workouts a week, and like to alternate between Peloton rides and strength classes on the Peloton app. I find that on the weekends, my kids keep me busy, so I’m still doing some physical activity even if it’s not my typical morning workout!
6. Shower and get dressed.
Next, I shower and get dressed. On the days I don’t get that morning shower in, I definitely feel more sluggish.
7. Get started on breakfast and school lunches.
Once my husband and I head downstairs we start to tackle breakfast and school lunches. My husband usually gets breakfast ready for all of us while I work on our daughters’ lunches. There was a time when I would do some of the lunch prep the night before, but I found that I was duplicating work and that it would be more efficient if I just did it all at once in the morning.
8. Wake the kids up.
Once we have the breakfast and lunches ready to go, it’s time for the chaos to begin! We wake the girls up, if they haven’t woken up on their own already. We help them pick out outfits for the day (some days that goes better than others!) and we get them downstairs so they can start their days.
9. Review planner and to-do list.
Next, I like to review my daily planner while having breakfast. I absolutely love my Clever Fox Planner! It really helps me stay a more organized mom. I plan out my weekly tasks over the weekend but each morning I like to review my tasks for the day and prioritize them. It helps me get set for the day and feel more prepared. After I finish reviewing my to-do list I read a bit if I have time before needing to get my girls out the door.
10. Get the kids dressed and out the door.
Next, the girls get dressed and we help them with anything else that needs to get done to get them out the door. My husband does the drop-off for my 3 year old and I take my first grader to her school.
11. Start tackling the to-do list.
Then I get home, and I can let out a breath! That’s when I start whatever is on my to-do list for the day. If it’s a regular day with no special appointments I usually start with my weekly cleaning schedule tasks and then I move on to my work tasks.
Overcoming obstacles with the morning routine checklist
Establishing a morning routine checklist that works for you can be a work-in-progress for a while. Here are some tips to help you overcome any obstacles that come up:
- Don’t tackle too many changes at once. Going from having no morning routine to a routine with ten or more tasks may leave you overwhelmed.
- Start with a few achievable goals. Begin with a few habits that don’t take as much time and effort such as waking up earlier and making your bed, and then gradually add more as you get comfortable.
- Prioritize sleep. Make sure you are getting enough rest. If you’re getting up so early to tackle your morning routine checklist that you’re ending up sleep-deprived, then get more sleep. Most people need 7-8 hours of sleep a night, but some can get by with less.
- Empower yourself with self-love mantras. Saying things like “I can do this” gives you more confidence and makes you more resilient.
- Be flexible. Be kind to yourself and adjust your morning routine checklist (and evening routine checklist) as necessary. A morning routine that works for me may not exactly work for you, and that’s okay! Don’t feel bad when you have to make changes. Be proud that you’re recognizing what works best for you.
Creating a morning routine that works for you can be a game-changer.
Especially in the busy life of a mom! By following this morning routine checklist, you’re not just checking off tasks—you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, more productive day. Remember, it’s not about getting a ton of tasks done and doing them perfectly; it’s about finding what helps you feel grounded and ready to take on whatever comes your way. So take it one step at a time, adjust as needed, and most importantly, be kind to yourself. You deserve a morning that makes you feel set to take on the rest of your day.
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