Mindful Morning Routine for Busy Moms

Helpful Tip: Wake Up Before the Rest of the Household

Mindful Morning Routine for Busy Moms

One of the best gifts I give to myself and my children is waking up before the rest of the household. Developing this habit ensures that I have time to prepare myself—mind, body, and spirit—before taking on my roles as a wife and mom. Without this precious time in the stillness of the morning, my mind and heart wouldn’t be ready to serve with love. Although I’ve always been a morning person, it took intentional effort to decide to rise before dawn.

Leadership is one of my favorite topics to read about, and I’ve read countless books authored by John C. Maxwell. One quote from Dr. Maxwell that helped shape my morning routine is:

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

It was after leaving my career as an educator, when I no longer had to wake up at a specific time, that I realized if I didn’t take control of my day, my day would control me.

Forming a new habit requires both a desire to change your current situation and time for that change to take root. As the first summer after leaving the classroom was coming to an end, I found myself facing the responsibility of being my own boss. August was approaching, and I was now a homeschool mom who had to create a schedule for the entire household. It took some trial and error to figure out what worked best, but I’ve found a routine that suits my family. Below is what I’ve discovered works for us.

I wake up every morning by 6:00 AM.

I shower and get fully ready for whatever the day may bring. This includes getting dressed in “real clothes.” (Okay, so my outfits mostly consist of workout clothes, but no PJs allowed.) Getting dressed sets the tone for the day—I can’t lounge around after all; I have a job to do. While I do my hair and apply mascara (yes, that’s the full extent of my makeup routine Monday through Saturday), I listen to an audiobook. This allows me to consume something useful first thing in the morning.

I try to be in my prayer chair by 7:15 AM.

Yes, I have a specific spot where I begin my day with prayer and Bible reading: a big, green, fluffy chair in the corner of my master bedroom. If I start by 7:15, I have nearly 45 minutes before my oldest son is out of the shower and ready for breakfast.

All the kids are up by 8:15 AM.

Once all the boys are out of bed, we’re ready to begin our day. We eat breakfast and then tackle our morning chores. Each child has their own assignments to contribute to the family. Morning chores include unloading the dishwasher, taking out the trash, starting laundry, and cleaning their bathroom. Part of homeschooling in our family is teaching them how to maintain a household. These simple chores don’t take long but help them understand the value of keeping things in order.

We begin our school day around 9:00 AM.

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There it is—my family’s morning routine. It’s not perfect, and there are times when we don’t follow it exactly, but it works for us. The biggest encouragement I’d like to offer to all moms and wives is this: waking up before the rest of the household will provide you with much-needed quiet time.

Psalm 46:10 NIV says:

"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'”

Reflection Questions and Path the Action:

1. What is your current morning routine?

2. Does it offer quiet time to prepare your mind for the day ahead?

3. What changes do you think you should make to begin your day more smoothly?

4. Pick one day this week to begin your day before the rest of the household.

   1. Set aside time for prayer and Bible reading.

Scripture Source:

(n.d.). BibleGateway. Https://www.Biblegateway.com/Passage/?Search=Psalm%2046%3A10&Version=NIV. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2046%3A10&version=NIV

Plan your morning routine for success!