Mornings with kids can feel like a three-ring circus. I wake up, and before I can even get my contacts in, one kid needs a school paper signed, another can’t find their blankie, and the little one is yelling “eat, eat, eat!” Meanwhile, we’ve got 30 minutes to get dressed, pack lunches, and get out the door.
The water bottles are dirty in the sink, shoes are missing, and I’m kicking myself for not doing the dishes the night before. By the time the kids are finally at school or the babysitter’s, I feel completely frazzled. And then comes the mom guilt: How terrible is it that I feel relieved to drop them off?
But here’s what I’ve learned: mornings don’t always have to feel that way.
When I started doing small things for my future self—even if that future self was only eight hours away—everything changed. It seems so simple, but wow, what a difference it makes.
Here are some of the little things that have been game-changers in our house:
- Run the dishwasher at night. That way you wake up to a clutter free and clean kitchen!
- Pack lunches during dinner prep. While stirring at the stove, I pull out lunch boxes and pack them up. The mess is all in one go, and I’m already in “kitchen mode.”
These reusable lunch prep containers have been a lifesaver—easy to pack clean.
- Lay it all out. Clothes, shoes, coats, diaper bag refills, work bag, and signed school papers are prepped and waiting by the door.
- Wake up a little earlier. Even just 20 minutes to stretch, sip coffee, and pray sets the tone for a calmer morning. I also empty the dishwasher while my coffee brews so it’s ready for another day’s worth of dishes.
- Gentle wake-ups for the kids. A few minutes before it’s time, I open their doors and blinds to let natural light in. By the time I come in singing (usually something silly), they’re already stirring. Mornings are so much sweeter.
Little Things I Don’t Do Anymore That Made Mornings Lighter
It’s not just about the things I do—it’s also about the things I’ve let go of that have made a huge difference.
- Hitting snooze. (Okay… this is still a work in progress 😅.) But on the mornings I resist the snooze button, I realize how much smoother everything feels. That extra ten minutes of “sleep” never leaves me more rested—it only makes the whole house more rushed.
- Driving in silence (or chaos). On the way to school and the sitter, we blast WBCL, our local Christian radio station. It sets a God-first mindset for all of us, and it’s the sweetest thing to hear my babies singing along to worship songs in the backseat. It changes the entire tone of our morning.
- Wasting the quiet drive. Once I drop the kids off, I use that drive to work to pray. Sometimes it’s simple—asking the Lord for safety over my girls and my husband. Other days I pray that He would use my hands, heart, and mind for His service. I ask for His light to shine through me at work, and that I would approach everything I’m asked to do with a joyful heart. This quiet time allows me to walk through my work doors ready to greet people with a joyful “good morning.” You’d be surprised how something as simple as a cheerful hello can shift the mood of someone else’s day.
Doing these little things doesn’t just make mornings smoother—it makes me more present, less frazzled, and honestly a kinder version of myself.
To my fellow working mamas reading this: Here’s your reminder: take care of your future self. She’ll thank you for it tomorrow morning.
To my girls: One day when you’re juggling school, work, or even little ones of your own, I hope you remember that life doesn’t have to be chaos. The little things you do today will always bless the you of tomorrow.
I love you more than yesterday but less than tomorrow.
With love,
Mama ❤
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