What's your morning routine?

[HforHavana]

I'm going back to work tomorrow after 6 months maternity leave. I start work at 8am and would usually get up at very last minute and dash to work with no proper routine. Obviously now with a baby I can't do that and will have to have a more structured morning. What are your routines and do you have any tips to help things go a bit more smoothly and out the door on time?

Everything as much as possible ready the night before.

Nursery bag packed
Work bag packed
Lunch for me made (DS has food at Nursey
Clothes out ready for me
Clothes our ready for DS

not sure what your childcare arrangements are but I pay for breakfast club too for DS.

So I get up 6.20am washed (shower night before) dressed downstairs. Make cup of tea get drink usually a smoothie for DS. Put all bags in car and anything else needed.

Get DS up 6.50. DS dressed nappy changed etc. Come round have smoothie. Out the door 7.15. Drop at Nursey 7.45. Arrive work 8am. I eat breakfast there. Start work 8.30.

• get up, wake children
• stick the kettle on
• go to the loo, get washed / dressed
• feed the dog
• make breakfast for the children while having a cup of tea
• make packed lunches while the children eat breakfast
• change & dress the baby (eldest can dress herself)
• check eldest’s school bag
• empty the washing machine / hang out washing / put new load on
• empty & reload the dishwasher

That is all done within about 45 - 60 minutes then the children go off to school / childcare and I go to work. My eldest is pretty independent and quite helpful though, which makes it easier.

You do get into a bit of a pattern, you’ll find what works for you.

I feel like I need some tips too as I still struggle getting out the door in the mornings with my 4 and 5 year old! I shower and wash my hair the night before, and have their clothes, shoes, coats, bags etc all ready to go, as well as making sure my work bag is ready and my work clothes sitting out. I make sure I've as much pre-prepared for breakfast/lunch as possible, grapes and other fruit cut up etc. Feel there is probably more I could do though!

Following!

Until he is one, MIL is having DS five days a week (we struck lucky there!) so it won't be as bad now as I can take him in his PJs as he will have another sleep once he's there. But when he's one and in nursery, I can imagine it to be a different ball game trying to get a one year old sorted and out the house before 7:30!

I'm hoping we some how fall into a routine and if I get everything ready the night before then it should be plain sailing. The only thing I'm worried about is he often has a poonami in the morning and it will probably happen just before I leave but I suppose that's something I can't control!

Baby wakes about 530, comes in with us.
Alarm at 6.30, two older kids get up. They get washed and dressed themselves and can have iPad time after.
DH gets babies bottle and sorts her out.
I shower, get dressed etc.
Do older girls hair.
Watch baby while DH showers.
Me and older ones leave at 7.30 for breakfast club. DH walks baby to nursery for 8.
I get to office or back if WFH around 8/8.15.
All bags/lunches etc sorted the night before.

I’ve got 3 under 5 and have to be out of the house by 8 a few mornings and 8.30am the rest. You’ll get yourself into a routine and once you get into it, it’s very doable. Some really good tips on here xx

We have no DC so my routine isn’t as hectic as some.

I usually wake up between 7 and 8.30. I’m a big believer in rehydrating after sleep so I will have 500ml of water with half of a lemon squeezed into it. I follow the Medical Medium Lemon Water protocol religiously, I can’t emphasise enough how good it makes you feel both for digestion, energy levels and being more awake.

After a good 15 minutes of emptying the dishwasher and preparing breakfast I then make a black coffee and head back into bed whilst I eat. Once I’ve eaten I’ll then drink another glass of plain water and take vitamins.

After showering I drink at least another glass or two of water whilst doing skincare and ironing my outfit for the day. If I’m working I’ll head in to the office or do some housework etc.

@HforHavana

@HforHavana

My DS often saves his poop for clean nappy so that's quite normal.