A Mom’s Lazy Girl Guide To a Stress-Free Morning Routine

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #DunkinPumpkinToGo

We have all heard of those unicorn super moms that wake up at 5 am, run 3 miles, squeeze in a meditation session and still have time to shower, blow dry their hair and make their kids a homemade breakfast. I am NOT that Mom, and I think most women aren’t. Now just because I am a lazy Mom, does not mean I am not efficient. There are ways to still get some sleep and have a smooth and stress-free morning every day.

My Guide To a Stress-Free Morning:

1. Get up earlier. Ok, I know I said you were going to get some sleep, but hear me out. If you just wake up 5, 10, or 15 minutes earlier than normal, you will see just how much more relaxing and enjoyable your mornings can be. I don’t always do this, but when I do, I sometimes even have time to squeeze in some light reading before my son wakes up.
2. Put your stuff in the same place everyday. This seems like common sense, but it took a couple of weeks of me reminding my son to leave his backpack by the front door when he gets home from school. Put your kid’s backpack, your purse, your sunglasses, keys etc in the same place everyday so you know where everything is.
3. No phone or TV. I had the bad habit of checking my phone as soon as I woke up. I would lay in bed and get sucked into Instagram or Pinterest world and would frantically realize I was supposed to wake my son up 10 minutes ago. Now I don’t check my phone until I have gotten ready, gotten my kiddo ready, and our shoes are on, ready to go. If I have a few minutes to check emails, I will.
4. Set alarms. I have several alarms that go off every single weekday morning. One to get up, then one 10 minutes later because I know I will hit snooze. I set an alarm to know when we should be getting our shoes on and when we should be physically be walking out the door to walk to school. This has helped us IMMENSELY.
5. Never run out of coffee! OK, again, a no brainer right??
6. Pack those school lunches the night before. We all hear this one, but do we really do it? I would honestly say I make his lunch the night before about half the time. If I have to make it in the morning, it’s not a big deal. I set up a basket in the fridge with all his favorite cold foods and a basket in the pantry with the non-perishables. He picks them out when we go grocery shopping so I know he will always eat his lunch. I just grab a couple from each and throw it in the lunchbox. Protein:check! Cheese: check! Fruits and veggies: check! I throw in a chocolate milk and a freezer pack and I am done in less than 5 minutes.
7. Keep facial cleansing wipes on hand in your bathroom so if you are running late you can at least wipe your face down and feel refreshed.
8. Hats can be your best friend if you are wanting to look just a tiny bit pulled together when dropping your kids off at school.  Even a baseball cap can help hide those dark circles and the unwashed hair! I like headbands to push my hair out of my face, too. They can hide the craziness of my hair.

 

Our Morning Schedule

6:20 AM my first alarm goes off.

6:30 AM my second alarm goes off because I hit snooze on the first. I get up and get dressed and put on my face. (Which typically consists of just BB cream and maybe mascara)

6:45 AM I wake up my son and drag him out of bed. He gets dressed with clothes I have set out the night before while I make his breakfast.

6:55 AM My son is eating breakfast while I am unloading the dishwasher and feeding the pets.

7:15 AM my alarm goes off to tell us it’s time to put our shoes on.  I grab my Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee from the fridge for me to enjoy on our way to school. This is something I seriously look forward to in the mornings! Give me ALL the pumpkin spice while it lasts!

7:20 AM My alarm goes off to tell us we need to be walking out the door.  I keep a post-it on the front door that says “Backpack, water bottle, lunch, snacks” to remind me to double check I have all those things.

 

After I walk my son to school, I take my time walking back home and sipping on my iced coffee. All the trees in my neighborhood are starting to change colors and I really savor those few minutes alone in the crisp morning air.

I love that these Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffees are grab-no-go, no-mess and delicious! Not only is it a huge time saver and convenience, it’s also a little treat for myself during the week. #TreatYourself this Fall mama!

You can grab these from your local Circle K and stock up like I do! You’re welcome.

Once I am home, I have just 10-30  minutes before kids are being dropped off at my home ( I am a childcare provider). I finish the rest of my Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee and snack on a protein bar, peanut butter and banana bagel, or some oatmeal. The house is completely still and quiet while I answer emails, check my social media channels, and jot down blog ideas in my notebook. I even get to catch up on some of my magazines some mornings and I cherish these moments!

Now obviously all our schedules are going to look a little different. Some of you may be headed to work or have younger kids who will be home with you all day. Either way, writing out a timeline of how you want your morning to go and making things as easy and simple as possible is key.

 

What are some things you do in the mornings that are part of your routine?

What is your favorite fall flavor? Tell me, are you team pumpkin spice??

 

We went to the pumpkin patch this weekend and I brought my Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee along! (OK, and my letter board so I could get this shot! Don’t judge my crooked “I”) It was great to throw in my purse and go!