When I Wake Up First vs. When the Kids Do
Some mornings, I wake up before my kids after a decent night of sleep.
The house is quiet. My thoughts feel clearer. My coffee stays hot long enough to finish it.
Other mornings… someone is whispering “MOM” directly into my face asking to watch a show before I’ve even opened my eyes.
So instead of pretending I have one perfect morning routine, I’m sharing the two real versions of my mornings as a mom with young kids:
- the calm version
- and the chaos version
Both are normal.
Both count.
This isn’t a full, color-coded, all-day schedule.
It’s just the first stretch of the day — the part that usually determines whether everything feels manageable… or overwhelming.
☀️When I Wake Up Before the Kids (a calm morning routine)
These mornings feel rare and a little magical, and I don’t take them for granted.
Here’s what they usually look like:
- I drink a full glass of water.
- I wait an hour or two before having coffee (supposedly it helps cortisol levels — and honestly, I’ll try anything that might help).
- I read my Bible.
- I write in my prayer journal or spend time praying. (Lately I’ve been using my Be Still Journal — it’s simple and quiet, which is all I can handle first thing in the morning.)
- I look over our appointments for the day in my planner — errands, commitments, or whether we’re staying home.
- If I wake up early enough, I get my workout in before anyone else is awake.
Sometimes the kids wake up while I’m finishing. Sometimes right after. Either way, we shift into mom mode.
Once they’re up:
- My two oldest unload the dishwasher so it’s empty for the day. That way dishes can go straight in instead of piling up in the sink.
- Breakfast is already decided — something simple like oatmeal, cereal, toast, or bagels with milk.
- I used to work really hard to add protein to every breakfast… but after three kids, I stopped. It was taking too much effort first thing in the morning, and peace felt more important than perfection.
- We read a short story on the couch or do quick Bible time while the kids drink their “coffee milk.”
(It sounds Pinterest-y… but in real life it lasts about five minutes.)
(This is the Bible we’re currently using — The Biggest Story Bible Storybook — it’s simple and actually keeps their attention.)
Then we move into school while I try to make sure the toddler doesn’t completely tear the house down.
It’s not silent.
It’s not aesthetic.
But it’s steady.
And I start the day calmer.
Sometimes the kids wake up while I’m finishing. Sometimes right after. When they do, we shift into mom mode
And I start the day calmer.
When the Kids Wake Me Up (survival mode)
This version usually starts with a tiny human whisper-yelling:
“Mom… can I watch a show?”
I stumble to the bathroom half asleep while cartoons turn on in the background. The kids usually watch until I can function enough to make it downstairs.
Then:
- They eat something simple.
- I drink coffee immediately.
- My two oldest unload the dishwasher.
Instead of thoughtfully planning the day, I:
- do a quick mental checklist
- or glance at my phone to see what’s on the calendar
This is also why I rely so heavily on reverse planning later — when the morning goes sideways, I reflect and reset at the end of the day instead. (find my Reverse Planner here)
What usually gets skipped:
- Read-aloud time (I try to fit it in later)
- Bible time (again, squeezed into other moments)
- Starting school when I planned to
School still happens — just about an hour (or two) later than I hoped.
If I missed my workout in the morning, I fit it in during naptime instead.
No guilt.
Just adjustment.
The difference between the two
On calm mornings:
- I feel centered
- I pray and journal
- I move my body early
- We read together
On chaotic mornings:
- I survive
- We adapt
- The kids are fed
- Learning still happens
Both are valid.
Both are motherhood.
Simple systems that make our mornings easier
Nothing fancy — just small systems that lower the chaos level.
1. Empty dishwasher every morning
My two oldest unload it first thing so dishes can go straight in all day. This one habit saves my sanity.
2. Simple breakfasts only
Oatmeal. Cereal. Toast. Bagels.
Less thinking = calmer mornings.
3. Flexible planning
On calm mornings, I check our plans in my planner. On chaotic ones, I do a quick mental list or check my phone. Both work.
4. Workouts can move
Morning if possible. Naptime if not.
Progress > perfection.
5. A weekly reset before the week starts
At the beginning of each week, I do a simple reset to clear my head, plan easy meals, and organize what actually matters.
It helped so much that I turned it into a printable + digital planner you can use at home.
👉 Grab The Gentle Weekly Reset Planner here → Buy for $8
It clears my head, plan simple meals, and get organized before the week starts — and it helps so much that I turned it into a printable planner you can use at home or digitally.
A reminder for other moms
You don’t need one perfect routine.
You need something that works most of the time.
If you wake up early and feel human — that’s beautiful.
If you wake up to chaos and start late — you’re still doing a good job.
Your kids don’t need flawless mornings.
They just need you.
Want a calmer start to next week?
👉 Send me the free weekly reset checklist💌 Want simple systems that actually work for real life? Get gentle routines, tiny wins, and realistic tips for busy days — sent to your inbox weekly(ish).
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