5 Reasons Why Moms Need & Deserve a Morning Routine

Yes, I’m a mom of 2 with a 5:00 am wake up time. And I love it.

I’ve been waking between 5-5:30 am consistently for about 2 1/2 years since my friend (you might know her…Amy Landino) suggested it. She knew I was struggling to build my business and needed more focused time to work. When she first suggested waking earlier I was incredibly resistant. Which might be an understatement.

I told her I needed every minute of sleep that I could get. That if I went to be earlier I would never have time with my husband. That I am not a morning person. But I agreed to try for a couple of weeks. Just a half-hour earlier. None of this 5:00 am stuff.

I learned immediately that while I may not think of myself as a morning person…I do think of myself as a productive person. And those extra minutes I had before my kids woke up allowed me to work on my priority projects in a focused way. Within weeks I was hooked and slowly backing up my alarm.

Creating a mom morning routine finds you time you didn’t think you had for self-care, building a business, or home tasks. Can you commit to making waking incrementally earlier? Creating a plan for your morning? Then you too can see and feel the benefits of a morning routine.

As a mom to 2 young boys, I realize that sleep is a precious commodity akin to wine and chocolate. You might think “I’ll just fit it in”. I’m here to say that, unfortunately, that magical time never appears. You have to make time for your priorities. And this is why starting your morning routine as soon as possible is crucial. Because as your kids get older, it only gets harder to find pockets of time during your day.

Your mom morning routine allows you to control time versus time controlling you. Of course, there are variables in your schedule that are out of your control. But that’s why waking up early to address your priorities matters. You’ll cross more off your to-do list when you can work uninterrupted. You can stay present during family activities because you aren’t thinking about what you didn’t complete. And you may even sneak in some time for yourself like a shower or a quiet cup of coffee.

And in addition to having a more present mom during family time, your kids benefit by learning structure and routine. Kids brains love to work within a regular framework and thrive on routine. If you can practice developing a routine, you can pass your skills on to them.

Did I convince you yet? Are you ready to start waking earlier to start your day your way? If you’re still on the fence, here are my 5 reasons why you need and deserve your morning routine:

Work Focused

It’s no secret distractions kill productivity. A 2014 study from George Mason University found distractions not increases the amount of time it takes to complete a project and decreases the quality. Waking early allows you to focus on those priority projects…Before anyone asks for a snack or needs the WiFi password.

Get More Done

And when you can work focused, you get more done. According to Gloria Mark as UC Irvine, it takes around 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track when you’ve been distracted. And I don’t know about you but I have a lot on my to-do list. I cannot afford to lose 23 minutes and 15 seconds. Wake early, work focused, get more work done.

Self-Care Time

One of the biggest complaints I hear from moms is “I don’t have time for myself.” Guess what? I do! And I do it first thing in the morning. I’m not resentful towards my kids or husband that I don’t have time for me. I make time for me. And it makes a noticeable difference in how I show up for my family and my clients.

Sets Your Day Up

Ever had that panicky feeling while you’re trying to get everyone ready while shoving Cheerios in mouths, looking for backpacks, and screaming “that’s why I told you to leave your shoes by the door” at the same time? Yeah, me too. My neighbors can tell you all about it. But waking early allows me to get myself ready so I can just focus on my kids. And I don’t know about your kids, but mine respond much better to calm mom than crazy mom. Crazy mom causes them to move slower and forget everything I tell them.

Stay Present During Family Times

Finally, waking early helps you get your work done so you can just be with your family. No more working on a laptop during movie night. No more checking email between your turns during Chutes & Ladders. You got work done. You woke early, completed your priorities, and now you’re ready for your family.

Do you think waking up early mom is just a sleeping grumpy mom? I beg to differ. Waking up early mom is a productive mom who actually spends time on herself. She shows up more relaxed, patient, and present. And everyone in the family benefits from that mom.

Are you ready? You got this…just set that alarm 30 minutes earlier tomorrow morning.