Unfortunately, if my day doesn’t start out right, my panties get in a wad.
Sad, but so TRUE! I don’t want to be like this, but the fact of the matter is….I am this way. And if mama ain’t happy nobody is happy! Yes, I am working on this, but after 17 years of being a parent, I still struggle. There are 6 simple, but smart things that I strive to do before my 6 kids wake up, now of course, sometimes they all don’t happen, but at least I feel I have some sort of a head start on my busy day. Waking up before my kids does not come naturally, I have to set my alarm. And getting myself up is the hardest task, everything else is down hill.
5 Smart Things to do Before Your Kids Wake up
- Pour Yourself a cup of coffee/Tea – I preset my coffee maker to go off 15 minutes before my alarm goes off. It’s hot and ready when I get up. It’s such an incentive for me to get up. Truly, it’s harder for me to get out of bed, if I know my coffee isn’t waiting for me. Also, during this time, I apply my essential oils. If you take medications, get them out-of-the-way with your first sip of coffee/tea.
- Check your planner – revise anything that needs revision on your To-Do List and add those tasks that you thought of when you couldn’t sleep last night.
- Pray and study God’s Word – I have a prayer app on my phone that is very helpful in remembering my daily prayers, I pray over my To-Do List for the day, and I love to be encouraged with God’s Word. This is key to my day! Read my routine here.
- Make Your Bed – Yes, I am a bit insane when it comes to this topic. I can’t stand for my bed to be unmade. It makes me happy when my bed is made because there is less clutter. I also have this rule…You don’t have to make your own bed if mom doesn’t make hers.
- Put a load of Laundry On – Trust me, on this one. It’s such a good feeling to know you have (1) load of laundry washed before your kiddos eat. Right before breakfast, I put the load in the dryer. If you are one of those weirdos (like me, lol) that love to check things off for the day, this is one of my favorite checks. Whoot, Whoot!
Of course, you will need to implement your own list to meet your needs or change the order you do these things, but the key is to not get discouraged when you wake up late and don’t tackle all your tasks before your kids wake up. I am not always successful, but at least I have some sort of plan to start my busy day. You have to give yourself some grace and just start fresh the next day.
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What are a few smart things you do before your kids wake up or are you one who wants to implement a few tasks before your kids wake up and need some encouragement?
Looks like my list (minus the laundry since I do that all in one day). I feel like my day is off to the right start if I’m dressed, read my Bible, made the bed, and swiped the bathroom. Sometimes that might be about it but I always feel more ahead of schedule than if I sleep in until the kid gets up. (And I love that few minutes of quiet time!)
I love this. I think its so great that you get up before the kids and get a few things done. but I don’t know how you do it!! I have 3 little boys under the age of 3, and I just can’t seem to make myself get up early….I set an alarm, but just knowing that I have more time to sleep before they wake up makes me go back to sleep….every time! I don’t know what to do to help with that. maybe the coffee idea! 🙂
Hi Jen,
I really try hard to have the lights off by 10pm. Trust me, I am a snoozer, too. It is just retraining your body to go to sleep earlier to arise. However, your situation is different, I don’t have a baby.
Love your thoughts on waking early…I just can’t seem to achieve it! I have a 11 month old….and like another poster I just can’t seem to get up early!!! I look forward to achieving more self discipline!!
Hi Erin,
Like I mention, it doesn’t come naturally. It took months to get into the habit. Try accomplishing 1 task per week and keep adding another each new week. The hardest for me, is going to bed at a reasonable time. Eventually, your body will get in the habit.
Don’t forget to give yourself some grace. We are all in different seasons.
These are good ideas! I actually put the clothes in the washer before bed, then in the morning just turn it on! Also pre-cutting extra veggies the night before when making dinner and using them for omelets/frittatas etc. help.
My next goal is to complete all computer work before she gets up so I have time to devote to my 4 yr old!
I love the precutting vegetable idea! Thanks for sharing, Melissa.
I take a shower…if I don’t then I won’t get one until my husband gets home from work.
I write in my journal,than my children’s mommy and me journals and the letter of the day.I also spend time in praising God.
If I am up before my kids, I go check to make sure they are all still breathing lol!!! And if by some miracle they are all still asleep, as soon as I turn on a light or flush the loo, at least one wakes up and we have a snowball effect! (We have five gorgeous babies aged 10 to 3) and 2 are early risers (as in at the moment it is school holidays and they have been awake before 5am most mornings!) and I am not a morning person! I need to prep the night before so I don’t need to think when I get up! About anything! Early mornings I like to – drink water & a green tea, exercise (usually a u-tube yoga routine), bible reading, eat breakfast (& coffee!) and if I achieve all that before my hubby leaves for work – shower! Otherwise that has to wait till after the kids get to school… And that makes me sound really organised! And MOST mornings only one or 2 of those things happen and they nearly always include at least one child! 🙂 But that is my aim!
Hi Lenore,
You are very organized! Trust me, you will not be able to wake them when they are teenagers. Mine would sleep until noon if I would allow it.
I like to do all of those too… I also like to empty the dishwasher too. One trick I have is if I can remember, I can set my laundry up to run on delay so it completes when I get up -then I move it to the dryer…
So wise to begin your day in God’s word. I started this when my kid’s were little. I would set my alarm for an hour ahead of them so I would be prepared to meet all the demands of being wife and mom .The habit follows me to this day and my kid’s are grown. Now I set the clock so I can have the time with the Lord before my grand kids arrive for the day over summer break. Their mom is single and has to work so I’m on round two in child rearing. What a privilege, although it wears me out.
First of all, I love your blog my kindred spirit! God is leading me to begin writing by starting a blog (I have NO idea what I’m doing! LOL). I have been getting more organized with our schedule and to do lists and after reading many of your posts about time and home management, I’m wondering… when do you personally make the time to write and work on your website? So many of your ideas have been things that I do and things that I know will work for me, so I was hoping to be able to pick you brain with that question! Sorry if there is a post you already addressed this in and I missed it! Thank you for all you do for moms and women like me! 🙂
Hi Rachel,
I am now a new single mom. My website is my sole income. It’s a full time job for me. I have specific daily work hours. I do have the gift of organization and time management. Thank the Lord, but I struggle everyday. There is never enough time in the day for me to get everything done. My house is defintely not spotless, but that’s just something I’ve had to come to accept.
Many blessings to you on your new website!
Jill
Drink a glass of water! Always drink a glass of water as soon as your feet hit the floor. I suck mine down while fixing my coffe. It will make you feel better and more energized all day. Your body wakes up dehydrated and if you start off by drinking a diuretic such as coffee or tea, you won’t be at your best all day.
Great tip!
Thank you for this post. God has been working on my heart about waking up before my children. I have been reading Proverbs 31: 10-31 everyday this week on top of me daily reading. The verse that has struck me heart the most is verse 15 about rising early. I firmly believe the day should start at noon, LOL, so mornings are a challenge.
Hi Amy,
God will honor your efforts. Don’t give up, but just start with baby steps. Maybe jsut 10-15 minutes might motivate you.
Jill
Top tip for breakfast. I always make masses of extra side veg for dinner so I can chuck left over veg in the food processor/chopper, along with about 6-8 eggs and use it for fritatta for breakfast. While the kettle is boiling for my cup of tea (I’m English:-) I pull the plate of leftovers out of the fridge, blitz it up, chuck it in the glass tray and pour egg over. 180degreesC in the oven for 30 mins. While it cooks I get showered and do laundry. Then we all get to sit and eat together. One of my rules is that you must be dressed before you come to breakfast! When they miss family breakfast they are more motivated to get moving next time:-)! Well done all you great mums. Doing great. “Drops of awesome” from all of you.
Awesome idea! Thank you for sharing, Zoe!
I am the same way- gotta have my coffee ready, bible reading done and gotta make the bed! The sad part is my kids are early risers so I have to rise even earlier. Which means I need a nap by 2:00 or my panties get in a wad over that too. I also homeschool… Which I love love love but some days I’m just too tired. But the good thing it’s flexible so I waited until after my nap today to get it done.
Hi Kelly,
I take daily naps too! Feel blessed you are able to!
Jill