The Finer Things in Life had a great post today about five routine things to make your morning productive. She was linked back to Tammy’s post “Making Your Home a Haven.” These posts both hit very close to home, because as a career woman turned stay-at-home mom, I am still learning what works for me in the way of routine. I am encouraged to see others striving toward these goals, while admitting that they don’t do it as well as they want to. I’m right there!!
In fact, the morning routine is one of the biggest battles I’m facing in my own personal life right now. The way I start each morning sets the tone for my productivity, my faithfulness with my children’s teaching and discipline, and my overall outlook for the day.
My goal is to start my mornings this way:
1. Shower, dress, hair and makeup. (This needs to happen before my kids, ages 2 and 9 months, are up. Otherwise, it doesn’t happen until naptime, and then I miss the chance to get things done during naps!) Preparing this way for my day is like getting ready for work. I am reminded that this is my work. And I’m getting myself ready to go. If I wear my contacts (instead of glasses), I feel much more productive. If I wear shoes and socks, I get so much more done!
2. Scripture reading and prayer. Like Amy, when I start the day with a few moments of stillness before God, my heart is prepared for the day, whatever He may have planned for me! When I miss this time, my heart is frazzled and it is easy to be inconsistent with the children and I am easily frustrated, rather than trusting God for everything He brings into my life throughout the day.
3. Preparing breakfast before the kids are out of bed. They are always awake, but I wait to get them out of their cribs until 7 a.m. If I get breakfast started before they are up, breakfast goes much more smoothly, and they are much happier children.
4. Getting the kids up, dressed, doing my daughter’s hair. I want the kids to come to breakfast ready for the day. This way if we need to run errands, or if someone is coming over, we are ready to go.
5. Eat breakfast and clean-up. (This includes emptying the dishwasher from last night’s dishes, and my two-year-old daughter helps with this.)
When I start my day this way, it makes a world of difference!
Check out some more ideas at Tammy’s blog! and Tackle It Tuesday at 5 Minutes For Mom!
I wish I’d done things like that. It didn’t help that they woke up at 6:00 a.m. very hungry. All I have to say is: YOU GO, GIRL! Those sound like great ways to start a morning–and you definitely need to go to bed early!