20 tips to a morning routine

Having a set routine will not do away with this altogether but it should reduce the morning mayhem significantly.

I have previously written about creating a daily routine for children http://kasheringyourlife.co.za/good-mornings-and-good-nights/ and thought it was time to focus on the parents. I have thought about this carefully and even ‘mostly’ tested it myself during these summer holidays.

The routine has been made to cover parents who have domestic help and those that don’t; this includes parents who work outside the home.

The use of the word parent instead of mom is deliberate, this is because I know that there are fathers out there who are raising children on their own, it is not only the moms. There are also those lucky families where both mom and dad are involved in the morning routine.

Here are 20 tips for creating a successful morning routine for parents

1. Decide on an appropriate time to wake up

It is recommended that adults between the ages of 18-65 require 7-9 hours’ sleep a night. Truthfully I don’t think I get anywhere near that, except on Friday, when I get my 9 hours and maybe Saturday night if I am lucky.

By the time I have finished doing what needs to be done for my blog and business and managed to have a little time to speak to my husband it is usually midnight. Then I get up between 5 am and 6 am. My husband and son both leave the house at around 6 am, my son for work and my husband for synagogue.

Did you know that South Africa is one of the earliest rising countries in the world?

2. Get moving

I am not big on exercise, so going to the gym isn’t likely to happen anytime in the near future.

Exercise is an important part of self-care. I do a few exercises from my biokintisist that can be done on the bed and then there are a few old tips I remember reading about many, many years ago in a ‘Reader’s Digest’ magazine. 

Moving up and down, from flat feet onto my toes, in repetition while I wait for the kettle to boil, or swinging my arms out at the side while walking between rooms are two of the exercises that I do.

3.Wash

Have your shower in peace and quiet before the household is awake. If you shower at night then you just need to wash your face and hands in the morning.

4.Get dressed.

Once you are dressed, it gives you a sense of purpose, staying in your PJ’s can make you feel like going back to bed.

4.Prayer/meditation/coffee

Whatever centres you for the day, now is your time. Take time to meditate, read your bible, do your morning prayers or just have that cup of tea or coffee.

5.Hair and makeup

Doing your hair and makeup is such a simple thing. Whether or not you wear full makeup or just some lip gloss it can often lift your mood.

I don’t wear makeup often but I do know that most of us look a little brighter with a touch of colour. Wrapping my hair in my scarves can take me a while though, I am often all thumbs!

6.Lunch prep

I have actually stopped making school lunches because my two teenage girls don’t eat it.

The rule is now that if they want lunch for school they make it themselves. I can get away with this as they are nearly 16 & 18 respectively, definitely old enough to pack lunch for themselves, they are also only at school till 1:30. My husband and son will take leftovers from the night before and up until recently, my oldest daughter was at home for lunch. She will now also take leftovers.

7.Make breakfast

Make yourself a decent breakfast and eat it in peace.

This is also a good time to put out the cereal bowls and cereal for everyone else to have breakfast. Recently I saw a suggestion that we should pour the correct amount of cereal into each bowl to prevent children from pouring out too much and wasting it.

8. Take any medication you need

Whether they are vitamins or supplements or chronic medication a lot of them need to be taken with or after a meal.

9.Afternoon lunch or snack

I meal plan all our meals so lunch is already decided. All I need to do is any prep work so that my domestic can put it together for the girls, while I am at work. http://kasheringyourlife.co.za/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-being-a-working-parent-and-meal-planning/

10.Dinner prep

Not only do I meal plan but I have recently started prepping for the week on a Sunday, it takes me about 2 hours. http://kasheringyourlife.co.za/dinner-theme/

In the mornings I will take out anything that needs thawing and either put it on the counter if it is winter and cold or in the fridge if its summer and hot.

If you don’t meal plan this is a good time to think about what’s for dinner and ensure that you have all the ingredients.

11. Empty the dishwasher

With a large family like mine, a dishwasher is a necessity for me, not a luxury. Once the dishwasher is unloaded it is ready for the breakfast dishes, this means that even my domestic worker has one less chore to do. She definitely has more than enough to keep her busy.

12. Start the first load of washing

Getting a load of washing going is one way to stay on top of the laundry. http://kasheringyourlife.co.za/dirty-laundry/

For those that go off to work, I recommend a small collapsible laundry stand that can be opened in the bathroom or kitchen and your washing can dry safely while you are at work. 

Once again if you have domestic help, then the washing is ready for hanging and there will be time for ironing too.

13. Tidy up

Tidying up before you go to bed is better for some as it means waking up to less mess, but this isn’t always possible. 

The morning may suit others better as you have more energy to put away the bits and pieces left out the night before.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ynnzh2yrmfe9whi/2020%20housekeeping%20Calendar%20%282%29.pdf?dl=0On the monthly cleaning calendar I have broken down the housekeeping chores into a routine and clutter is listed as one of the daily tasks.

This doesn’t mean you should be doing all the work, tidying up after playing is a chore that every child should learn to do.

14. Check your calendar/diary/bullet journal

Keeping a calendar easily accessible is a great way not to miss out on important events. http://kasheringyourlife.co.za/family-calendar-2/

15. Collect everything that needs to leave the house when you do

To reduce the chances of something getting left behind, take your bag and the lunches you have made to the door through which you will leave your home. http://kasheringyourlife.co.za/the-launch/

Wherever your entrance/exit is, I suggest setting up an area where the schoolbags and other relevant paraphernalia, keys, jackets, etc. are kept.

16. Now it is time to wake the rest of the family

Your peace and quiet is now at an end. It is time for the rest of the family to join the party.

With everyone following their own pre-determined routines and you monitoring, the need for you to stress should be at a minimum. http://kasheringyourlife.co.za/routine-mornings/

If your routine is already done, it is one less thing to worry about.

17. Feed your family

Their bowls of cereal are ready and waiting. An almost fuss-free mealtime, we hope!

18. Help those that need assistance

Smaller children need assistance getting ready in the morning; older ones usually just need a little nagging nudging.

19. Load the dishwasher

Once breakfast is done, get the dishwasher loaded. Each family member gets to rinse their bowl and spoon and put it in the dishwasher.

20. Out the door

With one final check that everyone has everything they need it is time for the school run.

If this means you are off to work as well, then hopefully the morning routine will allow you to have a productive day.

If you are coming back home to housework then some of your daily chores are already either done or underway.

Don’t worry!  I won’t leave you hanging for the day!  A night routine is just as important as your morning routine!  Just read next week’s post!