My Morning Routine

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As someone who likes to stay relatively organised (ok, a lot organised), it amazes me that it’s taken so long to come up with a weekday routine that really works for our family, and that gets the day off to a good start. We’re a family of larks generally- the children are up early, too early to be honest, but it means that there is no excuse for us not to be totally ready and raring to go come 8.30am when we have to leave for the school run.

I can’t stand rushed, stressy mornings, and they really put me in a grumpy mood. Which in turn isn’t fair on the children, who then have a mother who’s growling at them to put their shoes on quickly and to hurry up and have a wee. I find that if either Adam and/or myself don’t get out of bed and get going by 7am (tops) then we are all rushing around. Some of you might find this bonkers if you get yourself and a whole family ready under less than an hour (and I also salute you!), but for us it just doesn’t work, especially when there are a few other things that I like to do before we leave the house. 

I’ve been trying this new routine out for the past month or so, and you know what? It really does work, and my body is now in a routine of getting up at a similar time each day (I’m even trying to stick at it on the weekends, as to be honest our kids don’t sleep in regardless!). I’ve been using the ‘Sleep Cycle’ app for the past week too, having seen it recommended on another website, and I’ve become addicted to seeing how well I’ve slept that night when I wake up in the morning. Just before you go to sleep at night, you also choose a time to wake up within a half an hour period  (so 5.30-6am for me), then tracking signals your body sends out whilst sleeping wake you up within this half hour period during your lightest sleep, meaning it’s much, much easier to bounce out of bed. 

Anyway, I digress, but I thought I’d share my current week day morning routine as a mum of a 4 and 5 year old, and one who works one day in the office on my digital marketing job, and then 2 days at home. I don’t pretend that everyone will be massively excited about this, but the nerdy side of me loves reading about other people’s routines, and tips for getting stuff done, especially those who freelance/work from home/own their own business! 

What is your morning routine?

My app alarm goes off between 5.30 and 6am. If that sounds horrific, the aim is so I can get at least showered and dressed before a small person strolls in the bedroom, and ideally get some emails answered/a bit of work started/a blog post written. However, Freddie currently thinks sleep is for wimps, and hovers over my bed grinning, just as my alarm begins to go off (it’s like one mind!). I think the light mornings are getting him up, as whatever time he goes to bed the result is the same.  

I drink a pint of water with lemon, before dry body brushing all over and jumping in the shower. In the shower I alternate between hot and cold water to fully wake me up, before jumping out, cleaning teeth/moisturising/getting dressed/make up. I then go down to my office (our bedroom is in the loft) and fire up my laptop, before going downstairs and having a coffee and getting any awake child a drink. I will sometimes go for a run first thing, but usually stick to going to the gym 3 times a week on my working days once the kids have been deposited at school/preschool. If I’m lucky, I get half hour on the laptop to myself, and I make sure everyone is up by 7am for breakfast (although I DREAM of the day when I actually get to do this!). 

Breakfast for the children is usually juice with porridge, Shreddies or eggs on toast, all with fruit. I either have chopped apple, greek yoghurt and almonds, or if the children are having eggs I’ll have 2 poached eggs on toast with avocado and/or tomato. 

After breakfast I’ll get the children dressed, teeth cleaned and hair de-birds nested, and will listen to Freddie read, as often he’s too tired after school to focus- morning tends to be his most productive time too! 

Once this is done, the children play or watch a bit of telly (but ONLY if they’re ready!), and I put a load of washing on, hang a load out to dry, and empty the dishwasher if Adam hasn’t had time to do it (he often leaves the house quite early once he’s had breakfast with the kids). 

The it’s bags packed, water bottle’s filled, shoes on and out the door for 8.30am! 

How long have you had this routine?

I’ve been doing this slightly earlier-rising, more organised routine for about a month now. 

How has your morning routine changed in recent years?

Obviously having the children has made a BIG impact, although when I was commuting into central London to be at my desk for 8am pre-kids, I was up about 6am then- just with a bit more quiet ‘me time’ first! I’ve also realised since having children that often even if you think you’ve got loads of time before you have to leave to go anywhere, you don’t- being prepared is key! Like I said before, I hate rushed mornings, it puts me in a bad mood before the day has even begun!

What time do you go to sleep?

In order for this routine to work, I’m trying to make sure I’m asleep by 11pm tops so I get roughly 7 hours, although I can survive on 6. Always better with 8 though! Luckily Adam is on the same page as me, so we’re never like ships in the night.

Do you do anything before going to bed to make your morning easier?

I make sure I check the weather forecast so I can plan roughly what to wear myself. I also make sure any preschool/school forms are dealt with/cheques written, shoes are polished and uniform ready before going to sleep. I’m anal like that, but it works!

 

What does your morning routine look like? I’m nosy so would love to know! 

 

 

 

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3 Comments

  1. Lucy
    July 7, 2016 / 9:54 am

    So funny you published this today as I have had a hellish morning…I’ve just started a job 3 days a week, and although I used to work 3 days pre Henry, getting ready with an additional child has really thrown me! I love a bit of organisation but always find I need some time to actualyl get myself organised. After a battle of shoes/clothes….the list goes on, I decided that this weekend is for an organisation overhaul! Loved reading you post and particularly like the sound of the sleep app!
    Lx

  2. July 7, 2016 / 9:17 pm

    Wow you are very organised! Our morning routine isn’t anything like this. I’m definitely not a morning person and get up as late as I think I can get away with. I’d love to be more organised like you though.

    It’s nice to hear of someone else who dry brushes, I swear by it 🙂

  3. July 16, 2016 / 4:36 pm

    I love to be organised in the mornings, my days need to get off to a good start in order to set my day off on the right track!!!
    I’m not a morning person, but I’m usually up around 6ish. Before the little one wakes up I get up, get dressed, check my emails, nip to the farm to sort the horses out and aim to be back by 7am. By then my little one is usually up and my hubby has given her some breakfast. So then he goes to work at 7.30 and then I jump in the shower and get ready properly. If we have my step son we are then out the door at 8.30 to get him to school and then I take my little one out somewhere. That’s just mon-fri so at the weekends my routine goes out the window!!! Especially if i’m working as well as I have so much more to fit into my mornings!!

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