Recently, a popular magazine showcased the morning rituals of 12 prominent women. Their routines included:
- “4:45 AM: Wake up, enjoy a bowl of quinoa cereal, and practice an hour of advanced yoga.”
- “6:43 AM: Alarm rings. No snooze allowed. Slip into comfy sweatpants and clogs.”
- “6:50 AM: Brew fair-trade coffee and microwave a vegan muffin for my first breakfast.”
- “6:45 AM: Head to the home gym for a workout.”
- “6:45 AM: Pour myself coffee and prepare breakfast, then settle down alone in the living room with a newspaper or my phone. My breakfast could be a smoothie or oatmeal topped with nut butter.”
While these high-achieving women indulge in their delightful morning routines — sipping warm coffee and doing yoga without interruptions — many mothers experience a starkly different reality. Most of us don’t have the luxury of quiet time or the opportunity to engage in a workout. To illustrate, I gathered a few friends to share their morning routines. Here’s a peek into our not-so-glamorous mornings as moms:
1. Samantha Reed, Freelance Writer and Mother of Two
6:00 AM: My phone alarm blares. I choose to embrace the day with positivity. Just kidding! I groan at the alarm for waking the kids.
6:30 AM: Stumble into the shower. On good days, I shower. Other days, not so much. I throw on my “WhateverBrandTargetHas” sweatpants.
7:00 AM: Head downstairs to let the dogs out, only to step in a puddle of dog pee. Perfect start! Clean it up, then scramble to make the kids’ breakfast, which is usually cereal and a banana, not the kale smoothie I envisioned.
7:15 AM: Check the twins’ backpacks for extra underwear—none found. Just a plastic eggplant and an acorn. Off I go upstairs to find some. This is my version of “exercise.”
7:30 AM: Wake the twins for preschool, repeating everything twice. Get them downstairs for breakfast while championing the mantra, “Please finish eating!” Repeat it again. Try to suppress, “YOU HAVE ONE JOB—EAT CEREAL!” Supervise teeth brushing, shoe putting on, and coat zipping.
8:15 AM: Finally, I manage to get everyone out the door, breaking up countless fights along the way. I gulp coffee on the way to preschool and realize, once again, I’ve skipped breakfast. And I’m still in slippers. Today is not the day I become a “leader.”
2. Emily Carter, New Mom to a Tiny Human
4:30 AM: My baby cries. I groggily pop a pacifier in her mouth, hoping it sticks. Spoiler: it doesn’t.
5:00 AM: I feed her while brainstorming a coffee and donut delivery service for new moms. Must get a donut today!
5:30 AM: The baby cries again. She’s supposed to have an organic breakfast made from last night’s salad, right? Just kidding, it’s a Dunkin’ Donuts sandwich.
6:00 AM: The baby is wide awake, watching me change her diaper. I think she senses it’s time to wake up, but not for coffee and donuts.
6:30 AM: Hand baby off to her well-rested dad while he enjoys breakfast and scrolls through his notifications.
7:00 AM: I take a speedy shower, hearing baby screams in my head—turns out, it’s just sleep deprivation. I throw on my husband’s oversized sweatshirt and spit-up stained sweatpants.
7:15 AM: I celebrate getting dressed! Then I notice the baby is still in a milk-drenched onesie. I put her in skinny jeans because someone has to wear them today.
7:30 AM: My husband leaves for work and asks me to do four things today. I promptly forget all four because, donut.
8:15 AM: Pack up an arsenal of baby supplies for our big day trip from the bedroom to the living room. I find a leftover donut and think, “Carpe diem!”
3. Linda Hayes, Working Mother and Blogger
6:00 AM: Alarm goes off. Hit snooze. Pull the covers over my head.
6:30 AM: Alarm rings again. I grab my phone and start scrolling through Facebook while my husband makes breakfast.
7:00 AM: Finally, I get out of bed and pull on my college sweatpants. My two-year-old and I sit at the table just as my husband serves breakfast. I try to multitask between feeding her and scrolling through social media, only to be interrupted by her requests for YouTube videos.
7:15 AM: Convince my toddler to use the potty. While she stands there complaining, I read “Everyone Poops” for the millionth time.
7:20 AM: Getting her dressed means wrestling with a tiny burrito who insists on rolling on the bathroom rug. I bribe her with YouTube videos to get her in clothes.
7:30 AM: Hand her a toothbrush, only for her to decide that brushing the bathroom mirror is more fun. After some comedic antics, I finally manage to help her brush her teeth.
7:45 AM: She argues about her shoes, insisting they are “too big!” I bribe her again with videos, load her into the car, and blow kisses as my husband takes her away. Back to work for me.
2:30 PM: Finally, a break! I grab lunch and take a shower.
4. Laura Simmons, Self-Proclaimed Mediocre Housewife
6:00 AM: My kids leap into our bed, fighting over who gets to snuggle with Dad. He escapes to the shower, leaving me to manage the chaos.
6:30 AM: I get up and throw on ten-year-old sweatpants with holes from campfires. I head downstairs to brew coffee (whatever was on sale) and prepare breakfast. By breakfast, I mean sugary cereal.
7:00 AM: I consider starting a morning routine where I wake up early to exercise and enjoy a peaceful breakfast. But instead, I laugh at the thought and clean Cookie Crisp out of the cat food bowl.
7:15 AM: The kids demand a new breakfast because cereal isn’t cutting it. I blend up some smoothies, but they refuse to drink them and leave the table in disgust. Gummy vitamins it is!
7:30 AM: Clean the dishes and prepare snacks since no one actually ate breakfast.
8:00 AM: Get everyone dressed, which involves a lot of chasing and dodging. I realize reasoning with a three-year-old is futile.
8:15 AM: Get myself dressed while drinking cold coffee. Begin the countdown to bedtime.
Despite how chaotic your mornings may be, remember that you are not alone. Many moms dream of sipping hot coffee and enjoying yoga, all while still in their comfy sweatpants. For more insights on your journey, check out resources on preparing for pregnancy and fertility at this helpful site, and consider exploring fertility insurance options as you navigate motherhood. If you’re curious about home insemination, check out this post.
Summary:
This article presents the morning routines of four everyday moms, highlighting the stark contrast between the idealized routines of successful women and the often chaotic realities faced by mothers. It emphasizes the shared experiences of juggling kids, chores, and the desire for a moment of peace, all while navigating the early hours of the day.