Designing a Morning Routine for Real Life with Kids

Mornings in our household blend activity, laughter, and sometimes a dash of chaos. As a mom of two little girls, I’ve discovered (with my husbands help) that creating a family-centered living space is vital for a smooth morning routine. The goal? To design our home in a way that welcomes the beautiful mess of life while ensuring we all get out the door with ease.

The Launch Pad for Our Morning Routine

One effective strategy I've adopted is developing a dedicated launch pad for our mornings. This space, for us, is our mudroom. It acts as a crucial entry point for our family. It stores backpacks, shoes, folders, lunchboxes, and everything else needed for the day.

our favorite mudroom design

By designating a specific area for our essentials, we eliminate frantic last-minute searches for missing items. Each girl has her own hook for her backpack and a cubby for her shoes, which helps them grab their items quickly. This simple organization has reduced our morning scramble a significant amount.

Tips for an Organized Morning

Prepare the Night Before: Preparation is key. We lay out outfits - including socks and hair bows, pack lunches as much as we can (anything non refrigerated), and homework in folders ready to go. In our case, a little the night before goes a long way in the morning.

Create a Visual Schedule: Kids thrive on routine. We use checklists that outline our morning tasks, from brushing teeth to putting on shoes. For example, we all check off tasks as we complete them. This system helps the girls to take ownership of their responsibilities and takes some of the weight off moms shoulders.

Incorporate Fun: Mornings are not just for rushing out the door. and not everyone is a morning persons, so sometimes we need to have something to brighten the day. Dad likes to do his part in the morning routine and change up their alarm clock to play music while the girls are getting ready, just keep in mind that for some this could just cause distraction.

Stay Flexible: Routines are important, but flexibility is equally vital. Some mornings will be chaotic, and that's perfectly okay. Embracing the unpredictable nature of family life helps us appreciate its beautiful messiness, adding life to our routines.

Embrace what the day brings you

Designing for real life with kids means creating spaces and systems that truly work for us. My husband is the systems guy. He's a software engineer so for him everything has a pattern, structure and place. I, on the other hand..... am the creative chaos by nature. However, I love that he can give me a system to design around. And knowing what the system is helps you to design for the space. A routine tailored for kids fosters independence and responsibility, which is so essential.

Here’s to more organized mornings and the beautiful mess that comes with raising our little girls!

Garage entry with baskets for backpacks and a space to sit and unpack