This month, for the Real Talk Real Mom series, we’re talking about our morning routine. In case you’re new around here, each month, I team up with a group of mama entrepreneurs and bloggers and we chat about topics related to real life mothering. We’ve chatted about travel with kids, childcare, birth stories, the holidays, comparison, and so many other relevant topics. You can find them all here (and don’t miss the links to all the other participants’ blogs at the end of each post)! I’ve been so blessed participating & reading these mamas’ posts over the past 1 1/2 years…our stories are all linked by our motherhood, yet we all act that out so differently. There’s a freedom in knowing that ONE way isn’t the best way and that other moms are in the exact same boat.

Since having kids, but especially since Naomi switched to being a morning toddler, I’d had to become much more of a morning person myself. If I want to accomplish anything, or even just have some alone time, before starting the day with kids, I have to wake up early. Some mornings I choose to stay in bed and keep sleeping (especially since I’m always tired these days #preggoprobs), but I don’t really mind this new mornings shift, because it’s caused me to be much more efficient and careful with my time as a mom and entrepreneur. I’ve never been a super scheduled person, but I’ve come to love this time in the morning, especially my coffee.

Our days usually look relatively similar each week. Twice per week we have help with the girls, and three times per week I’m home with them all day. Both types of day start the same: I wake up around 6 AM. If I have a sleeping baby or two in my bed (this has become our normal recently), I skip making the bed and getting dressed, for now. I head right downstairs and put the kettle on for coffee. I’m so happy to be drinking coffee again after three months of a pregnancy aversion.

Naomi usually wakes up first, between 7-8, so this time is for me (and sometimes Joe). Devotions, finish the day’s blog post if needed, tackle my inbox, neaten any little messes left around the house from the night before, etc. I love starting the day with a clean home…it helps clear my mind and prepare me for the day ahead. Opening the windows and the curtains is a favorite morning activity; I love being able to watch the sunrise and see my home slowly fill with natural light!

Once Naomi wakes up, Zoe is usually close behind, and then we sit down and have breakfast together. It’s super important to us that we eat together as a family for breakfast and dinner! I love our times around our tiny kitchen table, together as a family of 4.  Soon we’ll be a family of 5, so I’m cherishing these last few months with just 2 babes. The girls almost always eat yogurt and granola, and Joe and I have lately been splitting an broccoli cheese omelet (current pregnancy breakfast craving). We always ask the girls how they’ve slept, and are generally trying to teach them how to have a conversation at the table! We eat together, Joe and I talk about anything that needs to get done for our family or the house that day, he unloads the dishwasher (a lifesaver!), and then he usually heads off to work.

After breakfast, the girls and I head upstairs to get dressed and get ready for the day. We’re starting to neaten their room and make their beds every morning, with lots of help from me. They’re young, and yes, it’d be easier if I just did it while they played downstairs, but I want to try to instill this habit in them while they’re young! I wrote more about teaching kids how to clean here.

On childcare days, we’re either out of the house or our babysitter has arrived by 8 or 8:30. But on days where I’m with the girls all day, at this point we’d either bust out the crafts or head outside (thank God for warmer weather) for a walk around Purcellville or playtime. The girls would play outside in their dirt pile all day every day if they could. Sometimes we’ll leave the house early for errands or whatnot. But we’re always back for lunch (unless it’s a Chick-Fil-A day) and afternoon nap time…my sacred work hours!!

That’s it for the first 5-7 hours of our day! As a mom and as an entrepreneur, the biggest “trick” I’ve learned is to wake up early, before my girls. It’s the best way for me to stay ahead of my day rather than let my day get the best of me, AND it sets the tone for the day. When we’re dressed and ready to go by 8 AM, I know it will be a good day! And the girls get excited, too, when we’re on more of a schedule! What does your morning routine look like?

Don’t forget to read the other mamas’ stories today:

The Effortless Chic
Freutcake
Hey Mama
The Fresh Exchange
Design Addict Mom
Oh Lovely Day
The Life Styled
Ave Styles
Parker Etc
Sacramento Street

And read more about Working-From-Home!

Thanks so much to my dear friend Paula Bartosiewicz for capturing these beautiful morning photos of our family.