What is your morning routine?

9 minutes ago

4 min read

Sunset over a grassy park with a pond, trees, and a curving sidewalk under glowing clouds.

A well choreographed morning routine takes some trial and error to find a rhythm. By this time in the school year, we’ve got it down to fairly well-oiled (albeit messy somedays) routines. Each situation is different - from kids that drive themselves, take buses or walk, from when the alarm goes off to what’s for breakfast - no two routines are the same. Ashley shares a tip for complete focus, Rebecca shares a streamlined evening prep and Jen shares how she finds time to connect with each kiddo. Read on to hear all that goes down before school even starts.

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

Bowl of oatmeal topped with blueberries, strawberries, peach slices and peanut butter, beside a mug reading Goal Digger.

I won't bore you with my step-by-step process, lol. However if you're feeling like your mornings are all over the place or you're rushing out the door and forgetting things, my best tip is to keep your phone in your room for the first 30-45 minutes. If my phone is within an arm's reach I will immediately go on social media and start scrolling or checking emails or respond to texts. I like to sleep as late as possible (usually hitting snooze 2 times, I've factored these in to my morning) so I need complete focus.

I have it down to a science on when I should wake kids up, make lunches, make my coffee and workout drink, feed them breakfast, make my breakfast and send them off to the bus. It definitely helps to have backpacks mostly packed the night before but that may not always happen if we have a late night of sports. One thing I really look forward to is sitting down and eating my breakfast before I go to the gym. It's probably my favorite time of day. My family is already gone, house is quiet and I have about 20-25 min of peace!

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

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Kim, Interior Designer from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

Toasted sandwich halves on a dark blue plate with a banana on top; a hand with red nails holds it in a kitchen.

My morning routine depends on the day to some extent, but by and large I’m an early riser with my alarm going off in the 5:00 hour. First, my thyroid medicine and B12, then I sit with a red light cap for 15 minutes. I’ve lost so much hair following surgical menopause, that I’ll do anything - even with a small promise of effectiveness. And, those 15 minutes have turned into the perfect time to do a mediation on the Peloton app or spend a little time with the bible. Funny how those moments have become a silver lining.

Then, I'm off for a run before my kids are awake - preferably outside for the 6-7 months of the year that the sun rises early. My husband makes sure our kids get up with their alarm clocks (bless him!), and then I make breakfast. This is the first year that I’m not walking with one of my kids to school (our middle school has a bus!), so I’ve replaced that time together with making breakfast. Once they head off to school about 7:15, I either hop in the shower before getting my work day started or squeeze in a yoga sculpt class.

Jen, Bespoke Travel Planner from @GlobalOnDemandTravel

Sports-themed lunch bags labeled LLBean and LPV on a marble counter beside a wicker tray and YETI tumblers.

I wish I had an admirable morning routine. Instead, I get up around 5:45 to 6:00 am and fit in some work before I am off to the office.

I do, however, make it a point to spend a moment with each kid in the morning. Going over last minute studying for a test, helping pack a lunch, or when it comes to my youngest, cuddling with him in bed for just a few moments.

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

Nespresso machine on a marble kitchen counter beside a Fairlife protein drink and aqua tumbler, against a black-and-white backsplash.

The evening includes: Getting the coffee ready for the morning, making overnight oats, moving laundry to the dryer, washing my face, laying out my clothes, and hounding the kids to get to bed!

Now that my kids are teenagers, I get to focus a little more on myself in the morning. I still get up before them and make them breakfast, but the rest is up to them.

6:30 - I’m awake. First things first. I make my protein iced coffee - double espresso added to a protein shake over ice. I refill my water bottle, take my vitamins, and start the coffee pot for my husband.

6:45 - I make sure the boys are awake and getting ready. This may require a few gentle reminders. I feed the dog, let him out, and start making the kids’ breakfast. Lately it’s been bagel bites, chicken tenders, or leftover dinner from the night before. Yes, I know, it’s strange, but my kids aren’t really “breakfast food” people.

7:15 - Food, drinks, and vitamins are on the table, although they sometimes run out the door with it in hand. I don’t pack lunches - they both get hot lunch.

7:25 - Kids hit the road - my senior drives his freshman brother, so no school drop-off for me!

7:30 - I’m either getting ready to go to the gym or I’m showering to start my day.

8:00 - I eat breakfast - overnight oats or yogurt parfait are my current rotation.

8:30 - I’m at my desk officially starting my work day, (although I’ve probably already checked my email on my phone and checked social media).