I create routines in our home to reduce friction. They help avoid the having to turn the car around moments, the overtired tantrums, and we left the house twenty minutes late moments.
Maybe you, too, are seeking ways to create structure without losing your mind or wanting to end some of the morning battles.
When I was a working mom, my schedule was determined by my job. So, my routines started with backwards math, figuring out what time I needed to be out the door.
And if you ever ran around the house telling the kids to hurry up or put your shoes on a hundred times. Then these tips will help.
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Having raised my oldest, who has ADHD and struggles with executive function, I learned that a realistic morning routine can bring structure, reduce stress, and help kids become more independent.
According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, routines help children (and even adults) develop self-regulation, which is fundamental to both academic success and personal well-being(Harvard Graduate School of Education)
But according to this mama, routines just work.
Two of our non-negotiable routines are our morning and bedtime routines. The morning routine truly sets up the day.
Tips for creating your morning routine with kids
Create your morning routine checklist
Think about the things you want your kids to get done each morning.
Ours kinda works like this:
- Wake up
- Eat breakfast
- Get dressed
- Make your bed
- Brush your teeth
- Comb your hair
- Get your book bag together
- Leave for school
Then, I have a list of things I want to get done, which are my five non-negotiable cleaning tasks.
We all lead different lives, so your list may look different. But the goal is the same.
Set your time frame
Now, I mentioned above the backward math of figuring out what time I want to leave the house.
I set a two-hour time frame for all of these things to happen.
But it may be different depending on how many kids you have and your life.
But leave yourself enough time for the last minute. I have to poop moments, or I can’t find my shoes.
Create a visual routine for kids
When my daughter was younger, her therapist suggested a visual routine to help keep her on task.
It was pivotal in her success. Back then, it was just a hand-made poster on her door that was color-coded for each task.
When I had more kids, I started using pictures on a sheet to describe what came next in a checklist format.
Perfect for kids to visually see what they were supposed to be doing.
This helped tremendously. Now, my youngest is in elementary school, and I use Google Home routines and gentle reminders. I will explain more about that later.
Mornings can be chaotic, especially when you’re juggling breakfast, backpacks, and everyone’s schedules. However, I learned that mornings could run smoothly, with your kids knowing exactly what to do—without you having to remind them every five minutes.
That’s why I created my Customizable Morning Routine Cards.
These cards turn the morning rush into a simple, visual game plan that your kids can follow on their own. Whether it’s brushing teeth, packing lunch, or getting dressed, these cards help your kids build independence while saving you time and stress.
If you want to start this immediately, download my visual routine printable cards. You can create a routine and arrange the cards to show how you want the morning to go.
Use Google Home or Alexa as your assistant.
Once you have a visual routine, you have to start practicing it over and over to get your kids to learn how it works.
You can use rewards to motivate them or set times to keep them on task.
But I also just use Google Home to remind my kids verbally what they should be doing.
I currently have four that I use to help guide both our morning and nighttime routines. See the image below of my Google Home app. I love this feature because the speaker will announce what part of my routine. For example, at shower time, Google says, “Here that chime, it’s shower time!” And to get ready for school, it says, “It’s time to go to school. Grab your watches, shoes, lunches, and tablets too!”
Another fun idea is to grab dollar store puck lights and put them under each routine. When the kids finish the task, they need to tap the light to say it was complete.
Everything starts the night before
My mother-in-law loves to say that when we talk about mom’s life and what she did to keep her house running smoothly. I am also a firm believer in this.
Before bed each night, I do prep work for the morning. I pack their book bags, pack most of their lunches, ensure homework is inside their bags, and sometimes even pick out their clothes.
Think about prepping the baby’s diaper bag before you go anywhere. You want to do that each time.
The less I have to figure out in the morning, the faster it all goes.
Using habit stacking to create a smoother routine
You can change or add a few things to your morning routine. The habit-stacking method can help. Instead of starting an entirely new routine, use what is working and add to it.
Say the kids watch TV, and then you turn it off to leave. Keep the TV time, and then say that once the TV goes off, you must make your beds. James Clear explains it this way. (after/before (Current Habit), I will (New Habit).
Don’t wait on this. The faster you create these routines when your kids are young, the easier your life will be now and even in the future when they are older. Imagine the kids making their beds each morning without you asking. That is how I got my kids to do it.
If you are ready to start your day off on the right foot with a simple, affordable solution that works, grab your morning routine card set today for only $5 and make your mornings easier—for good! They’re digital, so you can print them as often as needed!
I hope this helps you, mama friend!!