Do your mornings drive you absolutely crazy? Whether you’re a morning person or not, waking up to a crying baby and having to rush to get out the door on time just isn't fun.
I'm sharing one big secret to making mornings easier: it's all about the night before.
I know- by the time the kids are in bed, all you probably want is to put your feet up and relax. If you're willing to trade some of that to prep for the next day, your mornings (and the rest of your day) will be much smoother.
Whatever your situation is, the benefits of prepping at night are far-reaching. Here are 5 tried-and-true tips to banish your morning stress:
Plan weekly meals based on the day of the week. For example, Mondays and Wednesdays are always pasta for dinner and Fridays are pizza nights. No second-guessing, no stress.
Bonus: Want to feel super organized? Check out these snack organization tips from A Bowl Full of Lemons. If your kids are old enough, let them help themselves to a mom-approved snack for their lunch bags!
The weather can play a big role in how your mornings unfold, and you’d be better off searching for a raincoat and umbrella in the pm than am. Check the weather for the next day to make sure you’re well-prepared!
Go on and multi-task, momma -- ask Alexa for the forecast while meal-prepping meals and cross two things off your list at once! You can thank me later for a stress-free morning.
Do you place your keys in the same place every time you come home, or are you constantly trying to remember the last place you plopped them?
Create a station in your entryway, and you create new, organized habits. Let it become the place for everything you need before you walk out the door. Then make sure you leave the same items there when you get home!
Bonus: You’ll be teaching your kids this habit too (a major level-up for any momma who has spent 30 minutes looking for a missing shoe!).
Being overscheduled and underprepared is stressful for mommas everywhere. You can eliminate the struggle by setting aside 15 minutes every Sunday night to look at the week ahead. What events are on? Do you need extra support from your partner/family? What are your to-dos and when/how will you get them done?
When you take that few minutes to sort out the logistics of the days ahead, it can work wonders for your entire week. Avoid the panic when you realize you are supposed to bring snack to school today, or that your baby has a doctor’s appointment. Who knows, you might even be able to drink your morning coffee while it’s hot!
Before you protest, let me remind you that waking up to a fussy or grouchy child is not a great way to start the day. Many a momma has called it life-changing to get up before her kids.
If you struggle with mornings, start by going to bed 15 minutes earlier and getting up 15 minutes before your kids wake up. Use those extra minutes to read, take a shower, or wake up slowly. Gradually adjust until you have a morning routine that works for you!
See if you feel a difference in a week or two. Is the change to your routine worth it? Give yourself grace too. If you were up all night with a teething baby, don’t stress about your morning routine. You make the rules, momma-- and you can break them, too.
Bonus: This book might change your life.
Your morning routine is meant to bring you peace, not stress, so you have to do what works for you. With an intentional plan, you can put a stop to the morning rush (and maybe even find some extra “me” time).
What is your favorite sanity-saving tip for mornings? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
P/S: Do you want to know how to get better sleep for your baby and you? Here are 12 tried-and-true habits.
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