How’s your new morning routine going? I’m encouraged at the slow and steady progress I’m making each day in following my New Morning Routine.
Here’s how this morning went this morning:
5:45 a.m. — My alarm clock goes off. It’s raining outside and I’m still tired, so I lie back down to sleep “for a few more minutes” (ahem).
6:13 a.m. — I roll over and look at the time and realize that “a few more minutes” was actually almost 30 minutes… oops! I get up and go downstairs to the kitchen to make some coffee. While the coffee is brewing, I unload the clean dishes out of the dishwasher and re-load a few dirty dishes that were left in the sink last night.
6:30 a.m. — While I’m thinking of it, I gather the dirty laundry from the various hampers (everyone has a hamper in their room) and start a load of laundry.
6:43 a.m. — How did 30 minutes already go by?? I read my Bible, write in my Blessings journal, and read 4 chapters from Pursue the Intentional Life (the chapters are short, so that’s not as ambitious as it sounds!)
7:21 a.m. — Jesse arrives home from the gym. I head upstairs and wake the kids up. While they get up and around, I make our bed, clean up our room, and do a quick clean of our bathroom.
7:35 a.m. — The kids and I sit down at the kitchen table and I read a few pages from Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing to them, as well as a chapter from Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines. Jesse makes bacon and eggs while we’re reading.
8:00 a.m. — I head out to the garage to run on the treadmill. I read a chapter from Love Idol while doing my walking warm-up and then listen to Romans 1 on the YouVersion Bible app while running.
8:23 a.m. — I come back in and get some water to drink and notice Jesse has a plate of bacon and eggs set out for me (yes, he’s such a great guy!). He’s already sent the kids upstairs to take baths, get dressed, and do their morning chores. We chat about the day while I eat breakfast and then I head upstairs to take my shower and start my morning computer work.
It feels good to get so much done by 8:30 a.m. and I’m excited because I manage to keep the laptop off until after 8:30 a.m. today. Yay!
How did you do on your morning routine today? Let us know in the comments!
Sheri says
I love this post. Would you mind listing the chores each of your children do in the morning? I am only asking for specifics because my three children are the same ages as yours and summer vacation begins here in two weeks. I really want to have a fun and productive summer this year.
Congratulations on your recent move. So happy for you and your family. God is good!
Molly says
I love your routine and thanks for keeping us posted on how it is running! I do have a question: When you start your computer work time, what are your kids doing? Are they just playing on their own? Do they have specific activities you give them? We have entered summer vacation at our house and the concept of “playing all day” is not going to work, so I would love ideas of what keeps your kids busy and learning. Thanks!
Crystal Paine says
They have specific chores/projects/homeschooling work they do during my morning computer work time — and Jesse oversees it/teaches them during that time. And then I take over during his work time. So far, us taking “shifts” has been working well and is giving us lots of quality time with the kids as well as time for us to get focused work done.
Meredith says
We have a great routine for school mornings (I’m a teacher), but now I need to start thinking about one for the summer. It’ll be so nice not to have to rush out of the house….
Christine says
Curious why the kids bathe in the morning. I have two boys (11 and 8) by 7:00 pm they are filthy, sweaty and stinky.
Are girls cleaner? 🙂 I’m guess Silas is still too young to be completely filthy by the end of the day.
Leah says
OK. I have a question about the bath thing, too. Do you really just send them up for a bath? My kids are almost exactly the same age as yours. I would love to just tell them, “go take a bath”, but I still help wash my 8 year olds waist-length hair, and I help the boys (5 & 6 yo) do everything. Please share!
Crystal Paine says
We started the habit of morning baths when the girls were little because they had such curly hair that if we didn’t wet it completely down every morning, it was a mess. So it was just easier to stick them in the bathtub and wet down their hair every morning. The habit has continued and I think it’s nice to start the day all fresh and clean… that said, we often end up having to baths again at night if they’ve been playing outside. 🙂
Sarah Joy says
What morning chores do your kids have? Now the summer vacation has start I would love to have a routine with my girls. The oldest is 14, 9, 3 1/2. Most day I fell I drowning in mess and yelling. Do they have evening chores too. Thank you will work on a morning routine after this week of chemo.
Crystal Paine says
{Hugs!} It sounds like you have a LOT on your plate!
You can see some chore ideas here: https://moneysavingmom.com/2013/09/free-printable-chore-ideas-for-kids.html
Morning chores at our house are: make beds, clean rooms, quick clean of bathroom, help clean up the kitchen, help start the laundry, help clean up the main areas of the house, vacuum/sweep floors. My goal is that after morning chores, the main living areas of our house are all cleaning/picked up. We often do a quick clean/pick up in the evenings, as well.
Amie says
Okay, I think I was meant to read this post. I am off for the summer and my un-planned routine has been: nurse the baby, get up, let the dogs out, clean up after my dog (poor guy is under veterinary care, but continues to have diarrhea issues), make my boys breakfast, feed the baby, pump, dress everyone, and do whatever random things come up. It seems to take forever. I know I can’t rush everything (like nursing and pumping), but I can get some laundry going or throw together some dough in the bread maker before I settle in to pump. I would love to feel like all the “work” is done by lunch time so that we can enjoy the rest of the day. I think it is definitely do-able. I just need to put together a plan. I love this blog. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Yay! I’m so glad you were inspired!
Kim Angely says
I haven’t been able to get into a routine yet 🙁 My kids are still in the last couple of days of school (virtual school at home) and it keeps throwing me off. I love the idea of a written plan. Going to do that today in hopes of making it a little easier.
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
I saw this post at 6 am today and was going to comment that my morning routine didn’t go well. By 6 am, I had dealt with a child who woke up wet and needing a bath, another child who woke up really hungry (crying), and felt worn out. But then, as I went to comment, I realized that my morning routine usually only starts at 6 am. I got up from the computer and completed my morning routine. I’m glad I pushed through even though I had lots of extras this morning.
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo! Go you!!! I love your attitude — it inspires me!
Jody says
I’m really enjoying seeing your mornings and inspired to get more done. I have a simple routine set up but Ive had some challenges following it (new baby) BUT having it written down and trying to follow it as this season allows has made a big difference! One thing is working on getting the dishwasher emptied as early in the day as possible. Ive found doing that one task early makes the evening go way smoother (and no more scrambling to wash bottles with a hungry baby in the middle of the night:-).
I’m really enjoying the direction of the blog. I have always loved your blog but I find I’m loving it even more lately!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement! And I’m so happy to hear how well your mornings have been going!
Jenni says
Did it again today. It was way harder today. I’ve had a hard time falling asleep and getting up in time. Hoping my body will adjust soon.
Chabree says
I love this stuff for inspiration and I dream of being accomplished before mommy duty, but I’m still in the regular night time wake ups stage. That typically leave me sleeping until he wakes up for the morning-sometimes 6, usually 7-730 and some days gloriously 8 🙂 I’m curious if and how you worked the morning routine when you had one still getting up in the night…
Jennifer says
Anybody have a routine they follow when their children wake up on their own between 6:30-6:45 in the morning? My husband leaves by 6:40. In order, to have my quiet time, run, shower before they wake-up . . . I’d be staring hard at a 5:15 alarm time. Which is just rough. My girls are 4 and 8.
Crystal Paine says
Have you tried having certain things for them to do in the morning… like maybe have them do Busy Bags or read or do a craft while you do your Quiet Time, have them play something while you exercise, and then have a chore for them to do while you shower. Or something like that? If you started out slowly and just added one new thing at a time, I think they are probably old enough that you could make it work… maybe?
Jennifer says
This is my eldest daughter’s last week of public school. Next week starts summer for us. I have done a better job over the last week of using my time wisely. My husband has even noticed and I feel better about the results. I will try some of your suggestions to see if I can squeeze in the exercise.
Can’t run outside until school in the fall (4 yr old too tall for jog stroller). We do have a treadmill. I really want to avoid using the tv to babysit them while I run.
Sonia says
I have an almost 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. I push the 2yr old in the jogging stroller and the 4 yr old rides his bike next to me. We mostly walk, but occasionally I race him so that I can jog too. Then at the end I do some walking lunges while pushing the stroller. I’ve only done this for 2 days so far, but it’s working well! I’m encouraged!
AmazonsRock says
During the weekends and summer, we have a rule that says no coming out of the bedrooms until 7:00 a.m. The girls share rooms so they can chat with each other, look at books, play with the quiet toys they have in their room, write or doodle in their journals, or just lounge in bed.
We originally had digital clocks in the girls’ rooms, but it was much easier for the girls to recognize 7:00 on an analog clock by showing them the little hand needs to point to 7. We find that many times they are having such fun with each other in their rooms, they don’t venture out until after 7:00. (It’s usually their growling tummies or the sounds of mom and dad in the kitchen that bring them out.)
Misty Nicole Overstreet-Roberts (The Lady Prefers To Save) says
This morning was a very rough morning for me, luckily I work from home and bag my blogging and work assignments down ahead of time, as I could not get out of bed this morning on time. As of the past few days, my grandmother who lives with our family, the woman who was my only family for most of my life due to her deteriorated short-term memory, has forgotten who I am for longer and longer periods of time. I felt bad for being 31years old and feeling like an abandoned child, but this morning I felt less than myself. I am hoping tomorrow morning will be better and more productive.
Kari says
What time do you go to bed to get up that early? I am not a morning person but would love to become one!
Crystal Paine says
I’m working on going to bed by 10:30 p.m. Still working on that, though. 😉
Jessica says
I have been getting into a new morning routine that allows me some quiet breathing time.
5 AM- Wake up, go for a walk.
545 AM- Make coffee, change clothes, get breakfast going, get kids clothes out and allergy medications (they are horrible here in OR).
645 AM- Write a note to the Husband and give he and the kiddo a kiss goodbye as they sleep and I head off to work.
The thing that can make this routine tough is my commute to work which can vary anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour. When those days are too much, I give myself permission to sleep in a little longer. We all need to give ourselves some grace 🙂 Thank you for sharing your routine and updates with us. I love the personal posts!
Christyn says
I love this! I recently found your blog and love reading about these day to day activities that make me remember you experience real life too! A morning routine is something I struggle with. I’m currently expecting our 3rd child while taking care of the older 2 and working a full time job outside of the home while my husband is working a new job 5 hours away until we can relocate and be together again. I can’t wait to try and implement some of these ideas to possibly make my mornings go a little smoother!
Amie says
Oh my, you certainly have your hands full! I work full time during the school year and have 3 children ages 6 years to 9 mos. My husband is anticipating a promotion that will likely result in 2 weeks away for training and then a year or so on 2nd shift before moving back to 1st shift with another likely promotion. Honestly, I am very excited about my husband’s career taking off since he has been so supportive of my career, but I am also terrified about what it will be like to manage so much by myself. My husband would pick my oldest up from school, do homework with him, and prep dinner before I even finished work and picked up the other two from daycare. I think developing a routine is definitely in order. I hope that you can join your husband soon. 🙂
Shelly says
Today even though I was so tired I got up on time. It was really hard. My kids helped me clean and do the laundry after breakfast. So we were able to accomplish quite a bit by 9. Much better than last week.
Crystal Paine says
Way to go!!
Kellie says
Sounds like a wonderful morning!
I’ve been struggling with my routine. My problem is that my hubby’s mornings vary, so it’s hard to say I’m going to exercise, take a shower, and throw in a load of laundry if that ends up being the time he needs to take a shower. So I think I’m just going to have stick with a list of things that need to get done before 9:00 and just do them in whatever order works best that morning. This challenge has helped me to start getting up earlier, though — so I’m still getting a lot more done. : )
Crystal Paine says
Yes! That sounds like a great plan!
Kim says
I love this series Crystal! I’m struggling with building a routine too. I’m a nurse and I have to be at work at 5:30am. I am working on a big weight loss goal. I have committed to getting up at 3 am on my work days so that I can exercise. I’ve tried to do it after work, but I find too many excuses. I’m finding that I actually struggle more on my days off. I’m going to do just what you said and create a written routine for my off days too. Do you hold to the same routine every morning or do you have a different one for your “down days”? Then again, you are quite the busy lady! Do you have any down days?
Crystal Paine says
Wow! Your dedication is so inspirational!
To answer your question: The weekends are definitely down days for us… we’re usually really low key and laid back on weekends, especially Sundays.
Jennifer says
Congratulations on staying off the laptop until it was time for computer work! I know it makes such a big difference in my day’s productivity and household organization if I get other things done first.
Crystal Paine says
YES! It does make such a difference!
Em says
Crystal:
Do you wake your children up all year round, only on school mornings, on weekends? How long do you homeschool?
I am jus curious. We are all on summer vacation at my house and I allow my kids to sleep until they get up…or I wake them up if they sleep past 10:30 or if we have somewhere to be.
Crystal Paine says
We don’t wake them on weekends or on mornings when they’ve been up late the night before… It’s typically only one particular child that needs to be woken up. The other two are usually up and around fairly early in the morning. 🙂
Julie says
I did it!!! Today was my first day for success!
1. 5:30–up, coffee, Bible, journal (didn’t pray…bad 🙁 )
2. 6:18–start laundry, exercise
3. 6:45–quick shower, dress
4. 7:15–talked my 9 yo son thru making pancakes while I took care of the baby
5. 8:30–school with my 5 and 6 yo kindergarteners
I am thrilled to have gotten all that in this morning before I started school with the older three children. Now I’m looking forward to going to bed at a decent time and having another good start tomorrow!
Thanks, Crystal, for the motivation to do something I’ve been needing to do. Your morning challenge came at just the right time! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
WOOHOO! I’m so excited for you!
Miriah says
Crystal, can you elaborate on Pursue the Intentional Life? I clicked the link & checked out the site a bit..looks like something I need!
Crystal Paine says
It’s a book written by an older woman encouraging younger women to live an intentional life that matters. Very inspiring and motivating! So glad that I picked it up! Incourage.me is doing a book study on it right now with videos with the author.
Tiffany says
I can not eat first thing in the morning, weaher I work out or not. My 18 month old on the other hand wakes up yelling bite bite
Jennifer says
These posts are so inspiring…for future me! I’ve got a 17 month old boy and had another baby yesterday, so my routines will be based around whatever the kids need each day for a while… But I too am curious how you can wake up so early and not eat breakfast for a few hours. Both my toddler and I are instant breakfast eaters, though my husband needs more time between waking and eating, like you.
Miriah says
The power went out soon after I woke up so it put a kink in our morning! Loving these posts & I’m inspired to be more efficient right when I wake up!
Kristen says
I’m really enjoying these snapshots into your daily life. They infusing reality and self-grace into the all-to-often picture perfect world of blogging.
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you for this sweet comment. I’m so grateful!
KS says
So you workout first then eat breakfast? I’ve heard people say you should eat a little something first before a workout to get your metabolism going- just wondering cause I’m tryin to start exercising in the am 🙂
Crystal Paine says
If I run soon after I’ve eaten, it’s not pretty! 🙁
So yes, I run then eat. I’m always impressed with the people who can eat and then run 5 miles 30 minutes later. I’m definitely not in that camp!
KS says
Ok thanks 🙂 yeah I don’t think I would want to eat before either. You have inspired me to start running – I did in high school years ago and loved it- then got married and had babies….need to exercise and it’s a good stress releaver!
Kelli@Taste&See says
I think it’s a personal choice – I couldn’t tell you exactly what is “best” for metabolism regarding eating beforehand – though I do know that it’s recommended to eat soon after you exercise, but I think you may need to experiment a bit to find what works for you. My “perfect” balance for early morning exercise is about half of a granola bar or about half of a piece of string cheese, maybe a little less. More than that, and it’s not pretty for me either! Less than that, and my stomach starts twisting and hurting.