Mornings as a parent are anything but predictable. Forget the peaceful, slow-paced wake-up routines you see on social media—real parents know that mornings can be a whirlwind of chaos, coffee, and trying to get everyone out the door on time. Whether you’re juggling work, school drop-offs, or just trying to survive until nap time, this Get Ready With Me (GRWM) is a look at what a real parent morning routine actually looks like.
6:00 AM – The Early Wake-Up Call
The day starts when my little human alarm clock decides it’s time to wake up. Some mornings, I’m lucky enough to wake up before the kids and have a quiet moment to myself, but let’s be real—that rarely happens.
If I do manage to wake up first, I take a few minutes for a quick stretch and a sip of water before the madness begins. But usually, I’m woken up by my child either crawling into bed with me or calling for me from their room.
6:30 AM – Breakfast & Coffee (A Lifesaver)
The first non-negotiable of the morning? Coffee.
While the coffee is brewing, I start getting breakfast ready. Depending on the level of morning cooperation, it could be anything from eggs and toast to a bowl of cereal on the go. I try to keep things balanced, but sometimes, a banana and some crackers are as good as it gets.
Meanwhile, my child is either happily eating or protesting the existence of breakfast altogether. Parenting is an unpredictable sport.
7:00 AM – Getting Everyone Ready
Now comes the real challenge—getting everyone dressed and ready to leave the house.
This usually involves:
- Negotiating what outfit my child wants to wear (yes, the superhero cape is fine as long as they wear actual pants).
- A game of chase because someone doesn’t want their diaper or clothes changed.
- Brushing tiny teeth, which is somehow harder than a full workout.
- Detangling hair while my child protests as if I’m performing a life-threatening procedure.
- Finding missing shoes, socks, or a favorite stuffed animal that MUST come along.
In between all of this, I attempt to get myself ready. Most days, that means throwing on leggings, a T-shirt, and a messy bun. Makeup? Maybe some tinted moisturizer and mascara if I’m feeling ambitious.
7:30 AM – Quick Clean-Up & Packing Bags
While my child plays (or unpacks everything I just packed), I do a quick tidy-up of the breakfast dishes and make sure we have everything for the day: ✔ Diaper bag or school backpack ✔ Snacks (because a meltdown is inevitable without them) ✔ Water bottles ✔ Extra clothes (because accidents happen) ✔ My sanity (optional, but helpful)
8:00 AM – Out the Door (Hopefully on Time)
This is where the real test begins—actually leaving the house.
It usually involves multiple rounds of reminders:
- “Put on your shoes.”
- “Did you go potty?”
- “Where is your backpack?”
- “No, you can’t bring five stuffed animals.”
- “Okay, just ONE stuffed animal.”
By some miracle, we make it out the door. Some days we’re on time, other days we’re running out in a mad dash. Either way, we made it, and that’s a win.
8:30 AM – Drop-Offs & The Start of My Day
If it’s a daycare or school day, we do drop-off with hugs, goodbyes, and sometimes a few tears (from both of us). If it’s a stay-at-home day, we transition into whatever adventure awaits—playdates, errands, or simply surviving the toddler tornado.
Once drop-off is done, I take a deep breath and sip my now-lukewarm coffee. Even though the morning felt like a marathon, there’s always a moment of gratitude. These mornings are messy, chaotic, and exhausting, but they’re also filled with love, giggles, and memories I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Real Parent Morning Routine
A real parent morning routine isn’t picture-perfect—it’s a mix of messy, funny, and sweet moments that make up the daily rhythm of life with kids. It’s about survival, love, and doing the best you can each day.
So if your mornings look anything like mine—filled with spilled cereal, mismatched socks, and a battle over brushing teeth—just know, you’re not alone. And as chaotic as it is, one day, we’ll miss these little moments. Until then, let’s just enjoy the ride (and drink more coffee).
What does your morning routine look like? Let me know in the comments!
