How To Create A Morning Routine If You’re A Stay At Home Mom

Alessandra | Posted on January 3, 2025 |

January is the perfect time to start over! Here’s how to create a morning routine that sets you and your children up for success. If you’re a stay at home mom, this is perfect for you. Let’s start your year (and mornings) off right!

If one of your 2025 goals is getting into a better routine, but you’re finding yourself wondering how to create a morning routine that will actually work, you’ve come to the right place! My name is Alessandra, I’m a stay at home mom (SAHM) of 3 awesome kids and I truly believe routines and structure are the key to a happy at-home life. I also understand it can be difficult to get started with routine-life, but there’s no better time to start than a fresh new year! So if you’re ready to add routines to your life, keep reading.

Mornings can be a seriously chaotic time for stay at home moms, especially when juggling the needs of little ones and trying to find a moment for yourself. Crafting a stress-free and productive morning routine thought can really transform your day, helping you feel more in control, energized, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. If that sounds good to you and is getting your pumped up, then you’ll want to keep reading this blog as I walk you through the essentials of starting a routine, overcoming common struggles, and developing a daily plan that works for you! Plus you’ll get my morning routine checklist for FREE at the end of this blog.

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Why Do I Struggle With Routine?

Before we dive in, let’s touch on this common problem many moms face: struggling with routine. This is especially common for SAHMs whose schedules often revolve around completely unpredicted days of staying home. Here are a few reasons you might find it difficult and how to address them:

1. Unrealistic Expectations

If you’re attempting to make your routine perfect, it’s never going to work. Trying to cram too much into your morning can leave you feeling defeated before the day even starts and that’s not helpful. Don’t let unrealistic expectations and other moms routines fog your own routine attempt. Routines are about you and your family only, so simplify your routine to focus on the essentials.

2. Lack of Consistency

Consistency is key and routines take time to become habits. The keyword there is “habit!” Starting a new routine is hard work, so give yourself grace as you adjust. Make sure to aim for small, incremental changes rather than an overnight overhaul. It doesn’t need to be an all or nothing thing, starting small and setting simple goals is best.

3. Distractions

Unfortunately, we live in a world of constant distractions. Between our own kids, phones, tvs, and household tasks it seems they just want to derail your routine. I actually think distractions are the biggest hurdle in creating routines and falling out of your routine. But don’t worry, you can do something about it! Setting boundaries can help, such as limiting screen time or designating certain times for chores.

4. Burnout or Overwhelm

This can feel like a catch 22, because if you’re exhausted, it’s hard to stick to any plan, but you’re also probably exhausted because you don’t have any plan.🙃 The good thing is, with a really great routine, you can make sure to prioritize rest and self care in order to recharge. So if you’re sick of feeling mom burnout, then a routine might be just what you need, so keep reading.

How Should I Start My Morning Routine?

Ultimately, you need to start your morning routine with something that works for you! With that being said, starting your morning routine actually begins the night before. A little night time preparation can make your mornings run way more smoothly and reduce decision fatigue when you’re tired. Here’s how to get started:

1. Prepare the Night Before

Prepping each night can be a gamechanger, so I dare you to try it! Pack lunch boxes, lay out clothes for you and your kids, prep breakfast ingredients, and even write down your top priorities for the next day. When you’re ready to start your morning before it even starts, you’ll feel more motivated to keep going!

2. Wake Up When You Want To

Many experts will suggest waking up before your kids. If that’s your jam, then totally give it a shot, but it’s not for me and I don’t ever do it and my mornings still go smoothly and I still get stuff done. If you want to wake up before your kids for some quiet time then definitely try it out and see how it works for you!

3. Include Movement

Even if you’re not big into exercising, a quick moment to move your body in the morning can make a huge difference in your mood. A short exercise routine, a walk, or even a few minutes of stretching can energize you and boost your mood. Plus you’ll feel better!

4. Take A Shower

I’m going to be honest here, I hate how social media glorifies not showering and/or sitting in pajamas all day in motherhood. It’s not helpful, it’s not healthy. You need and deserve to take a shower daily. So take 10 minutes to take one every morning and then get dressed into real clothes. When you look better, you feel better, and you’ll do better!

How To Create A Morning Routine

Now that you know a few ways to start your day for success, let’s talk about how to create a morning routine! This is the good stuff, mama. First off, building a daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. It actually shouldn’t be complicated because then you won’t do it! This stuff needs to be simple, easy, and exciting. Make sure to start small and tailor it to your family’s needs!

1. Identify Your Priorities

You have to determine what’s most important to you in the morning. What do you WANT to get done? Whether it’s a clean kitchen, quality time with your kids, or a quiet moment for yourself, write it all down. This routine will help you get everything you want done, done!

2. Start With Three Anchors

Choose three activities to anchor your routine, (learn more about anchors and routines at the link ahead of this sentence.) These activities can be making your bed, eating breakfast, and tidying up for 10 minutes. This will create a foundation for your day and help you stay on track.

3. Be Flexible

Life can get a little wild and life with kids is unpredictable, as I’m sure you know already. It’s important to be a bit flexible for when things don’t go as planned, like someone is sick or there’s a snow day at school. Build in a “buffer time” and be willing to adjust as needed. Even those most type A moms need to go with the flow sometimes.😉

4. Track Your Progress

Keep track of everything! Use a checklist or journal to monitor your routine. This will not only help you stay on track, but also allow you to get a visual of all you get done. Who doesn’t like a checklist, am I right?! Celebrate those small wins, mama, because this will help you to stay motivated.

5. Make It Enjoyable

This is so important! You won’t stick to your morning routine if you don’t enjoy it. Make sure to incorporate activities you love, like listening to music or enjoying a favorite drink. Add it all to the morning routine to make your mornings something you look forward to and have fun with.

Final Thoughts

A well-crafted morning routine can be a gamechanger for SAHMs by setting the tone for a smoother, more productive day. I’m confident that creating this change in your home will help you and your family in the most positive ways! Imagine smoother mornings, less tears, and more bonding leading to a happier family life. Remember, the key is to start small, stay consistent, and adapt your routine to fit your unique needs. Routines don’t work unless they work for you! By taking control of your mornings, you’re investing in your well-being and creating a ripple effect of positivity for your entire family. So, take a deep breath, start where you are, and give yourself the gift of a calm and purposeful morning. Below, get my Morning Routine Checklist for FREE to help you begin your morning routine journey.

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