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- I've never loved mornings, but as a teacher and mom of four, I've made my peace with them.
- I've learned that preparing for the morning hustle and bustle really helps.
- I also make sure to save time for self-care at night.
I have always hated mornings. My grandparents raised me, and I remember them waking me up and humming and smiling as they got dressed and prepared for the day. I could never figure out why they were so happy to rise with the sun. My grandmother even went to morning mass at 7 a.m. each day. During my teen years, as I rolled out of bed each day, I promised myself that I would find a job that didn't require me to participate in the morning grind.
Now, a few decades later, I'm a mother of four, ages 19, 18, 13, and 11, and getting a head-start in the mornings has become necessary. For years, my kids woke me up to help them dress for school. A few years ago, after returning to school to become a teacher, I understood that my dream of avoiding mornings would never come to be — at least not until my retirement, at least half a decade away.
While I may never love rising with the sun as my grandparents did, I have found a few things that help to make my mornings both successful and, more importantly, bearable.
I've learned that preparation is everything
Benjamin Franklin said, "If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail." This adage continues to drive my morning routine. Each evening, I lay clothes out including everything like socks, shoes, and sweatshirts for myself and my youngest. I have learned that searching for socks and shoes in the morning is a sure way to miss a bus or roll into work late.
Another essential step in preparing for the hideous quack of ducks ringing out at 6 a.m. is meal prep. I make sure breakfast and snacks are thought out and ready. Preparing grab-and-go snacks and meals has been a game changer not only for mornings but also for the afternoon/evening crunch, filled with kids' sports and homework.
Another time saver has been creating a shower schedule for myself and my youngest two. I alternate between night and morning showers so that I can sleep a bit later on my no-shower mornings. While cleanliness may be next to godliness, it certainly does not trump sleep.
I reserve time for self-care
One of the most important things I do to make mornings easier for myself is to engage in a bit of self-care the night before. The last hour of the day belongs to me and me alone. I set aside this time and protect it, fiercely. Once the rest of the family goes to bed, after I check the doors are locked I allow myself to shut down. Usually, this involves a snack.
I also pick a show that I wouldn't ever watch with the kids. This is often a guilty pleasure or something scary. A little midlife rebellion is good for the soul. Not only does this final hour help me to let go of the day, but it also allows me to prepare for the next day. It eases any anxiety I feel, which makes falling asleep much easier.
I create a schedule and manage it
Scheduling is another must to keep mornings running smoothly. We have a large whiteboard in the kitchen that everyone can see. Each month we write down everything we have going on for school and work. I have a color for each of the kids and one for my husband and myself.
Every Sunday evening and throughout the week, we review the schedule and add anything new. Knowing what is coming and having a plan each week to deal with who needs to be where and when helps not just in the morning but also after school and work.
Mornings have always been hard, but with a few simple steps, I have figured out how to make them bearable. I guess that's the best I can hope for — at least until retirement.