10 simple morning routine ideas for mums

Mornings can often feel rushed and overwhelming, but starting some simple morning routine ideas will help you feel more in control, less stressed, and better prepared for whatever the day brings.
Whether you’re juggling school runs, work commitments, or trying to carve out a few minutes for yourself, a morning routine can set the tone for a calmer, more productive day.
In this post you’ll discover 10 simple morning routine ideas that you can mix and match to create an ideal morning routine that will support your needs, not add extra pressure to already busy mornings.
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Why creating a morning routine matters
There are many benefits of routines, the best ones about creating a morning routine is that it helps you feel organised, calm, and ready to tackle the day ahead.
Here are 10 routine ideas to help you create your ideal morning routine that you can adapt to your needs, energy levels, and family demands.
Prepare the night before
Preparing for the morning the night before is one of my favourite morning routines.
Here are some things I prepare the night before, that you may like to consider as well:
- Lay out school clothes
- Fill water bottles
- Prepare school lunches and place them in the fridge
- Prepare breakfast items such as cutting fruit, making overnight oats, or boiling eggs
- Pack school bags and leave them at the door
- Load and set the dishwasher for a clean kitchen in the morning
Write a to do list for the day
Spending a few minutes writing a to do list the night before, or first thing in the morning, helps you prioritise tasks so you can make the most of the time you have.
When writing your to do list you can use a to do list notepad, a daily planner or sticky notes.
RELATED: How to write a to do list for maximum productivity
Get a head start on the morning
Another thing I like to do as part of my morning routine is to wake up 15–30 minutes before my family.
If this is something you’re interested in, you can use the time to:
- Get ready for the day
- Have a quiet breakfast
- Do a quick stretch
- Read or journal
Tackle quick chores
Tackling some quick chores in the morning means you don’t have to do them when the day is busier.
Some quick chores you can do include:
- Making beds
- Wiping surfaces
- Planning meals
Setting a timer for 10–15 minutes can help you stay efficient, without feeling overwhelmed.

Create a kid friendly morning routine
Having a morning routine for your kids is a great way to teach them to get ready themselves, so you can continue with what you need to get done.
One of the best ways to do this is to create a kids morning routine checklist that your kids can follow, which can include things like:
- Brushing teeth and hair
- Getting dressed
- Putting shoes on
Make time for yourself
Making time for self-care, allows you to meet your own needs, as well as everyone else’s.
Starting with just 10 minutes self-care time each day helps you feel relaxed, and ready to handle the day ahead.
Some quick self-care ideas include:
- Reading a few pages of a book
- Planning your week
- Setting your intentions for the day
- Doing some journaling
Start the day with gentle movement
Gentle movement is a great morning routine idea because it helps wake up your body and mind.
Your movement doesn’t have to be intense, even gentle stretching, yoga, or a walk can help.
There are plenty of free YouTube videos that you can use if you’d like to do this in the comfort of your own home, which is how I fit gentle movement into my mornings.

Enjoy a healthy breakfast
A healthy breakfast fuels your body and mind for the busy day ahead.
Some healthy breakfast ideas include:
- Overnight oats
- Yoghurt and fruit
- Whole grain toast with eggs
- Smoothies
Practice mindfulness
A few minutes of calm at the start of the day can have a big impact on your mental health, and mood.
Consider adding the following mindfulness practices to your morning routine:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Listening to calming music, or a podcast as you get ready
Review your day
Reviewing your day can mean looking at your to do list and prioritising your tasks, thinking about what to do when you have time with your family, setting goals for the day, or anything else that allows you to be productive.

How to create a morning routine that works
The best way to create a morning routine that works is to be flexible.
Choose 2–4 of these morning routine ideas, and see how well they work for you.
You don’t need to do the things you choose every day; adjust the amount you do depending upon the time and energy you have. For example, perhaps you only do morning routine activities during the week, and not weekends.
Give your morning routine time to work. It takes time getting used to new routines, but after a while your morning routine will feel natural.
Additionally, if something’s not working change it. For example, I used to wake up 1 hour before my family, which meant I wasn’t getting enough sleep, so now I wake up 30 minutes earlier, which still allows me to get a head start on my day.
Morning routines aren’t about perfection, they’re about building a routine that works with your lifestyle, time, and energy levels.
Morning routine ideas – a recap
Creating a morning routine doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect to be effective. The main goal is to find routines that support you and your family’s needs.
Whether it’s enjoying some quiet time before everyone wakes up, moving your body for a few minutes, or preparing the night before, small, consistent routines can lead to meaningful changes.
What’s one morning routine idea you’re going to start this week?
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