This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you click on the link, with no cost for you. It’s one of the ways I support my blog. You can read more about this here.
If your mornings look like a mix between a military operation and a mild meltdown, you’re not the only one. Between trying to remember if you packed your lunch, where you put your keys, and whether you actually brushed your hair (or just thought about it)… it’s a lot.
And if, like me, you’ve got a toddler in the mix, it’s a whole new level of chaos. My 20-month-old can go from adorable snuggles to climbing the furniture and throwing blueberries faster than I can say “where are your socks?”.
That’s exactly why I started waking up at least one hour before he does. That quiet pocket of time before “mum mode” kicks in is sacred, my time to hydrate, stretch, and just breathe before the breakfast storm hits.
The truth is, most of us don’t need a perfect morning routine, we need a realistic one. One that helps us feel calm, clear-headed, and ready for the day without a 5am alarm or a 40-minute meditation session.
In this post, we’re breaking down how to design realistic morning routines that fit real lives, ones with kids, commutes, deadlines, and the occasional cereal explosion.
Let’s turn your mornings from “barely surviving” to thriving.
1. Start Small – Tiny Wins Add Up
Forget overhauling your entire morning at once. Start by adding one or two manageable changes, like drinking water before caffeine or doing a quick yoga flow while your toddler’s still snoozing.
That early hour is when I get my head straight, even if it’s just sipping coffee in silence or doing a few daily yoga stretches on my mat before the chaos starts.
Try this: Swap your morning scroll for one daily yoga workout or a 3-minute stretch routine. You’ll instantly feel more grounded and patient (and that’s worth its weight in gold on the days your toddler decides pyjamas are the enemy).
If you need some inspo, read “Morning Mindset: 5-Minute Habits to Boost Positivity Before Breakfast.” It’s full of micro-habits that actually move the needle on your mood.
2. Create a “No-Brainer” Morning Routine Checklist
Mornings with a toddler mean unpredictability, some days, it’s all giggles and cuddles; other days, it’s a full-on wrestling match over who gets to butter the toast. That’s why I rely on a morning routine checklist, a visual reminder that keeps me sane.
Think: hydrate, stretch, breakfast, supplements, out the door. Simple, clear, doable, even on the mornings where someone’s trying to eat playdough.
For bonus points, keep it visible: a planner, fridge sticky notes, or a spot in your gym workout planner. The fewer choices you make in the morning, the more mental space you save for the real tasks (like finding the missing shoe).
Keep your mornings fool proof with a chic planner like the Papier Daily Wellness Journal – it’s where I jot my checklist and mum brain reminders before the day takes off.
3. Hydrate Like You Mean It
Your clean girl aesthetic water bottle isn’t just for Instagram, hydration literally lowers cortisol and boosts energy.
Whether you’re up before your kids or rolling straight out of bed into mum mode, drink water first. It’s the simplest way to rehydrate after a night of broken sleep, and helps stabilise your mood before caffeine takes over.
If plain water feels boring, add some fruit or pop in electrolytes if you’re running on fumes. It’s such a tiny act of self-care, but it sets the tone for the day.
4. Move – But Make It Manageable
Let’s be honest, squeezing in a full workout with a toddler around can feel impossible. That’s why I keep things simple: a few morning stretches, a relaxing yoga flow, or a 10-minute walk pushing the buggy.
You don’t need a full morning workout routine to feel good. Even five minutes of movement helps shake off that morning fog (and the toddler-induced back ache).
If you’ve got 10 minutes before the house wakes, unroll your mat and try a morning yoga routine or easy yoga workout.
For inspiration, check out “7 Energising Stretches to Kickstart Your Positive Morning Routine.”
📌 Pin this for later! ⬇
5. Design Calm – Not Chaos
When life with a toddler is noisy, your environment matters even more. I’ve learned that a calm start doesn’t magically happen, you have to create it.
I keep the lights soft, diffuse relaxing essential oils, and play something gentle. Those sensory cues tell my brain it’s time to start slow, not sprint.
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup, just small things that make your space feel like yours again. Even sipping coffee in silence counts as a ritual.
If you love this idea, you’ll really enjoy “Morning Rituals That Reduce Stress and Keep You Grounded All Day.” It’s packed with calm-inducing rituals you can actually fit into real life.
Waking up before my 20-month-old is the only reason I still have a shred of sanity, and I make that early hour feel indulgent with a NEOM Wellbeing Pod gently diffusing calm before the chaos. It’s like instant serenity, without needing a spa day
6. Have a Back-Up Plan
Some mornings? Absolute carnage. You spill your coffee, your toddler refuses breakfast, and the universe decides to test your patience.
That’s when I switch to my “Plan B”, a shorter early morning routine schedule that still hits the basics: hydrate, stretch, eat, breathe. That’s it.
Realistic morning routines aren’t about being perfect; they’re about flexibility. Some days you’ll tick everything off, other days you’ll survive on vibes and dry shampoo. Both count.
For mornings that go off the rails, I keep protein sachets and greens powder in a kitchen drawer. A quick shake on the go beats skipping breakfast when life (or your toddler) gets chaotic.
7. Don’t Copy – Customise
It’s easy to get sucked into the “perfect morning routine” videos online, but let’s be real, what works for a 25-year-old influencer with no kids doesn’t work for someone chasing a toddler who’s hiding behind the sofa with a banana, or someone who has a 2 hour commute to work or school.
Your routine should reflect your reality. For me, that’s waking up early to protect an hour of peace before the chaos.
For you, it might be a slower start, a cozy morning coffee ritual, or an autumn morning routine that involves more warmth and less rush.
If you need help making it truly stick, read “How to Create a Morning Routine That Actually Sticks (Even If You’re Not a Morning Person).” It’ll help you personalise your routine and keep it realistic through life changes.
Read These Next
- Morning Mindset: 5-Minute Habits to Boost Positivity Before Breakfast
- Morning Rituals That Reduce Stress and Keep You Grounded All Day
- How to Create a Morning Routine That Actually Sticks (Even If You’re Not a Morning Person)
Conclusion
You don’t need a picture-perfect start to have a productive day, you just need a plan that fits your reality.
Realistic morning routines are about calm, not control. Start small, protect your peace, and remember, some mornings will be messy, but that doesn’t mean they’re not meaningful.
Next Steps
“You can’t pour from an empty cup, but you can fill it before the little one wakes up.”
- Read This Next: Morning Mindset: 5-Minute Habits to Boost Positivity Before Breakfast
- Check out the full series: The Positive Morning Routine Reset
📌 Pin this for later! ⬇
