5 Simple Routines for Moms That I’ve Found to Work
Motherhood is unpredictable.
Gone are the days when you wake up and know exactly how your day will pan out.
Now there are many variables, many opportunities for messes, and changes to the plan.
Caring for children creates a bit of chaos and with that makes it difficult to fall into a routine.
It’s ironic because kids thrive under routine, but they are often the ones to throw off your routine to begin with!
(Those kids!)
That’s why, as a mom, it’s important to have a steady but flexible routine to guide your days.
I promise it makes it easier.
It doesn’t have to be hard either.
Why do routines work?
Routines are proven to decrease stress, it’s science!
Having routines in your life (such as a sleep schedule or morning routine) affects your “mental sharpness, emotional well-being, and energy.” (1)
What does this mean?
Having routines makes you happier.
You feel more put-together and ready to face the day. You have more time to relax with less anxiety.
Think about it.
If you are actively planning ahead and putting simple routines in place, you won’t feel out of control.
Everyone is different, but I’ve come up with five routines that work for me.
(Also, science thinks they’re pretty good too).
Daily Mom Routine #1:
Make Your Bed
If you Google “the science behind making your bed” so many studies pop up.
People are fascinated with this seemingly mundane, simple task and its power to alter an entire day!
This continues to be studied again and again, and proven (for most people) to give you an early sense of accomplishment in your day, setting a positive tone (2).
Why should you make your bed?
It…
Only takes 5 minutes
Calms your sleeping space
Makes you feel more productive
I promise, this small task every morning is such a game-changer.
If you ask me, making your bed goes deeper than feeling accomplished. It also gives me a deep sense of honor for my sleeping space.
As a mother, your personal space becomes less and less. Your little ones need you. They are close to you often, limiting your personal space.
(If I’m being honest, I can’t even make dinner without someone tugging at my leg).
Creating a space of beauty I can enjoy (by myself) is absolutely necessary.
Lately, I’ve decided my bedroom isn’t a place to shove clutter, but a place to enjoy and wind down.
I’m not perfect – some days my bed doesn’t get made.
But I will say—I feel the difference when it isn’t.
I feel more anxious, irritable, and quick to anger.
All I can say is… It’s psychology folks.
Try it out for a week, and see if it makes a difference.
Also, if it helps, buy yourself some new bedding. After I decluttered and organized my bedroom, I bought some fresh bedding I enjoy looking at.
My bedroom is far from perfect—adorned with old farmhouse wallpaper with maroon carpet from 1990. It’s not Pinterest-esque.
But guess what…
My bed is now beautiful and I enjoy lookin’ at her.
Daily Mom Routine #2:
Wake Up Before Your Kids
Okay, this is a hard one.
Those precious hours of sleep are so important, especially as a mom to young children. Kids are built-in alarm clocks and trust me, there isn’t a snooze button.
But, I’m telling you…
If you set that alarm clock (the actual one) just one hour before your kid’s normal wake time, it makes all the difference.
You can:
Enjoy your coffee.
Read your book.
Listen to your podcast.
Go to the gym (or your basement) to squeeze a workout in.
However you want to start your day, do it. Before your kids get up, your time is yours.
Already being awake and ready for the day before your kids get up makes you feel more patient, flexible, and ready to take on the challenges of the day.
I feel a difference on days when I don’t do this.
You should try it too! Tell me how it goes.
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Daily Mom Routine #3:
Make Bedtime a Priority
Now, this leads me to bedtime!
It’s hard work to get kids to sleep, believe me, I’ve been there.
But it is a magical thing when it all comes together.
Right now, I have a toddler and a newborn. Because I made sleep a priority for my son when he was a baby, I don’t have to worry about him staying asleep while I’m working on my daughter’s sleeping routine.
It is such a relief.
But it’s not a perfect system.
And it’s different for everybody.
I will admit, I didn’t learn a good sleep routine on my own. Consider looking into taking a course on baby sleep, and start early!
It’s important to learn about each sleep stage, as each one is different.
I learned all about it when my son was born at Taking Cara Babies. They have a course you can pay for but also have free resources on their blog.
I paid for the course, and I have to say, it’s worth every penny.
I can confidently say this course made all the difference in allowing my son to develop a solid sleep routine.
Daily Mom Routine #4:
Daily Journaling
Can you find a spare five minutes during your day?
Because that’s all you need.
Get a favorite notebook, a pen, and a cup of coffee, and take five minutes to journal.
That’s it. Five minutes.
I made this a habit in November 2022, and I haven’t looked back.
Every morning, I list out things I’m thankful for, and sometimes I write my random thoughts, and prayers, or copy down Bible verses.
I love a good hardback, spiral-bound notebook. Here’s one of my favorites:
Starting your morning with gratitude bleeds into every aspect of your day.
According to one of my favorite books, The Slight Edge, writing about what you are thankful for trains your brain to “hunt for the positive”.
This simple task compounded over days and years creates more happiness and less anxiety.
Try it out, it can’t hurt!
Daily Mom Routine #5:
Use a Calendar
I know it’s simple, but sometimes simple things are solutions to complex problems.
In my kitchen, we keep a large calendar front and center where we keep all important dates and appointments so we don’t forget anything.
We can be extremely forgetful, so writing down events and dates is a must.
I also keep a personal planner, which helps. But having a large family calendar keeps everyone on the same page.
I like calendars I can write on with a pen, but dry-erase calendars are useful too, and save money.
Be less stressed, and get a calendar!
I found this dry-erase calendar on Amazon you can custom-make for your family! (So cute!)
Progress Over Perfection
Remember, creating new routines and habits is a process.
It doesn’t happen overnight—good things take time.
You don’t have to get it right every day.
Because no one is perfect, and motherhood is messy.
Focus on adding a new routine little by little. Once you master one routine, add another. Don’t add them all at once!
You have the ability and drive to make it happen, I know it.
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