Why Your Mornings Feel Rushed: 5 Mistakes Every Working Mom Should Avoid
Do your mornings feel like a shit show? I know that feeling..
You're not imagining It—mornings Are tough. Mornings can be really busy. You're trying to get breakfast ready, find missing backpacks, answer work messages, and get to meetings—all before you've had a chance to sit down. At work, you're great at solving problems- but at home, mornings feel like a puzzle you can't figure out. Between no set routine and too much stuff in different places it is hard to think straight in the morning.
But there's an easier way. Implementing one of these 5 simple tips in the morning is a way to get your energy and focus back. And when your kids help out, it becomes even better.
Morning Menu- End the Breakfast Battle
Instead of reinventing breakfast daily, create a “Morning Menu”—3-5 item options that requires no prep (think protein waffle, cereal/banana, peanut butter toast) that is simple and repeatable. Store kids plates/bowls/silverware in an accessible place like a lower drawer or cabinet so kids grab items themselves.
Quick win: Create space in your pantry to store these breakfast items together (bonus if you can contain in a bin labeled breakfast!) so it’s easy for kids to find and start to help.
The Drop Zone – Eliminate Entryway Clutter
Instead of treating your entryway as a catch all storage closet, it should be a space where everyone can quickly find what they need and use daily before leaving the house. Give each family member their own small area with just the essentials they use every day. Use baskets to hold smaller items like gloves or sunglasses. This helps keep everything in its place and makes mornings less stressful.
Quick Win: Gather all the items you use last minute before leaving the house—like your daughter's hairbrush or sunscreen—and move them to one central place. Free up room by moving infrequently used items elsewhere.
Create a Capsule Wardrobe for School Days
Instead of having too many clothes to choose from each morning, you can set up a simple system to help your child pick out outfits quickly and learn to dress themselves. Here’s how:
Pick pants or shorts in solid colors like black, gray, or blue that can match most shirts.
Keep pants, shirts, socks, and underwear in separate bins on shelves that your child can easily reach.
Each morning, your child can grab one item from each bin to create an outfit.
Quick Win: Pull out 5-7 articles of clothing that can be used to start the capsule wardrobe for the week. Shift nicer “weekend” or off season outfits more out of reach.
Do Now What Will Save You Time Later
Instead of doing it all in the morning, spend just 15 minutes in the evening doing simple tasks to save time in the morning.
Here are some ideas:
Set up the coffee maker so it's ready to brew when you wake up.
Lay out dinner items that don't need refrigeration, like pasta or canned sauce. Fill a pot with water for boiling pasta later.
Put your work snacks in the car so you don't forget them
Quick Win: Set a timer for 15 minutes and commit to doing 3 quick things that can save you time for the next morning.
Let Technology Help with Morning Checklists
Instead of adding to your mental load, use smart assistants like Alexa or Google Home to make things run smoother. Set up a routine that gives a reminder to your kids 15 minutes before it's time to leave. This reminder can go through a checklist to ensure everything is ready asking questions like:
"Is your snack packed?"
"Is your homework in your backpack?"
"Did you brush your hair and teeth?
Pass the mental load of remembering the morning to do’s to your smart assistant!
Quick Win: Set up an Alexa or Google Home in your kitchen or usual gathering place before heading out the door
Want These Wins—Without Doing the Work?
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If you’re ready to stop managing the mess and start leading your day—with energy, clarity, and ease then let’s talk.
Book a complimentary consult and reclaim your time, energy, and mornings.