What is a morning routine anyway?

So, what is a morning routine anyway? You’re probably thinking you already have one. You get up, make up, pick up, and do school. Right? But, hold on there mom! What about a little bit of self-care time for you? I’m not talking about frittering away your morning on social media while the kids eat cake and play with legos. (Hey- we all have those days, so no judgement here!)

I’m talking about serious attention to yourself, to those things that make you feel like human being while you’re tending to all the little humans who are going to pull from you all.day.long.

Isn’t self-care just another word for selfish?

No, it’s not. Unless you mean neglecting everyone and everything in life to focus on you. But that’s not what I mean by self-care. Self-care isn’t bonbons and bubble baths. It’s a form of accountability with yourself. A decision you make every day to bring the best version of yourself to your mothering and homeschooling. If your homeschool is chaotic and you’re feeling overwhelmed, self-care can give you direction and put the spunk and spark back into life (and learning!)

Defining self-care

Let’s get to the nuts-and-bolts of self-care. What is it anyway? Self-care is creating an agreement with yourself to honor the things in life you must do (responsibilities) in such a way that you are the best you for the people who count on you.

For you, homeschool mama, that’s the little faces across the kitchen table waiting on school to start.

For you, as a woman, it’s showing up in your friendships, relationships, and family connections in a way that allows you enjoy them.

It’s taking time to populate your online calendar for the month, because this will free you up to say “yes!” to things you want to say yes to. , It’s setting aside time for that work out you’re always meaning to get to, because this will give you confidence and energy. It’s making time for fun, for fun’s sake. And most importantly it’s forgiving yourself when you don’t get those things done, because you’re busy living life.

How to integrate self-care into your morning routine

I confess, I tricked you. There is no “best” morning routine for the homeschool mom. You’re welcome. The best morning routine is the one that you’ll do. If you’re thinking that your mornings are too busy to incorporate any type of self-care into your routine, then your routine might start the night before.

• First, I’m going to sound like your mother first and tell you the number one thing you can do to take care of you is to get your beauty sleep. Seriously- have a bedtime. I’m as free-spirited more than as the next girl, and having a regular bedtime and wake time has been a huge expression of self-care.
• Turn your phone on Do Not Disturb from a set time at night to a set time in the morning. Own your phone- don’t let it own you.
• Set boundaries with your family about morning meals. I promise cereal for breakfast isn’t the end of the world if it’s a meal they can do for themselves while you sit in peace.
• Get dressed. I know it’s all the rage to homeschool in your PJ’s, and while that’s a freedom blessing, it can leave you feeling unkempt and like you’re having a “sick day” rather than a “homeschool / work day”. No need for formal attire. Or shoes. But, do wear something that you enjoy wearing.
• Make a list the night before of your homeschool to-do’s for the next day. You can create a “sticky note” on your laptop to give you direction for things not on the lesson plan.
• Morning is a great time to work in caring for your physical body. Unless you’re a night owl. Just pick a time when you will do it, then do it.

Helpful tools to keep you motivated

Since the best morning routine is the one you’ll actually do, here are some helpful tools to help you get it done.

• Trello. If you’re a list maker like me, you can move all the sticky note clutter to an online digital list. Here’s a handy tutorial to get you started. Warning: this is addicting and you might start creating Trello boards for everything. That’s great- just include one for self-care. 🙂
• 7 Minute Workout. No more excuses for not taking care of your body! Scientific, quick, and everyone has seven minutes!
• Bedtime Reminder. I know- you’re a grown up girl. But, having an app let’s you blame the app when it says it’s time for bed. You can’t argue with a device. And neither can your kids.
• Grocery Delivery Services. Using Amazon’s, Walmart’s , Kroger’s , or whatever grocery store you have where you live, online ordering service to handle grocery day means freeing you up for other things. Unless you LOVE grocery shopping. Then, by all means, that’s self-care- do your own grocery shopping.

In the end, what jazzes you and makes you feel nurtured, cared for, healthy, and on-top of things makes for good self-care. And as for that morning routine- I hope you’ve learned that there’s no one right way- just what works!

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