Recently, a popular magazine shared the morning habits of 12 inspiring women leaders, showcasing their luxurious routines that include everything from yoga to gourmet breakfasts. For instance:
- “4:45 I wake up and enjoy a bowl of quinoa cereal before an hour of ashtanga yoga.”
- “6:43 The alarm rings. No snooze button for me. I throw on my comfy sweatpants.”
- “6:50 I brew my fair-trade coffee and microwave a vegan muffin for breakfast.”
- “6:45 Straight to the home gym for my workout.”
- “6:45 I pour my coffee, prepare breakfast, and have a quiet moment with my news app or a book.”
These successful women seem to have it all together, savoring warm coffee and calming yoga sessions, while most of us moms are left wondering why our mornings look so different. To give you a real glimpse, I asked a few friends to share their morning routines. Spoiler alert: they’re a lot less glamorous than what you see in those magazine spreads!
1. Sarah, a Writer and Sleep-Deprived Mom of Two
6:00 The iPhone alarm buzzes. Choose a calm and collected mindset for the day. Just kidding! I mumble some choice words at the alarm for waking everyone up.
6:30 Shuffle to the shower. On a good day, that is. Some days, I just don’t make it. Throw on my “WhateverWasOnSale” sweatpants.
7:00 Head downstairs to let the dogs out. Step in a puddle of dog pee. Great start to the day. Clean it up, then prepare a kale smoothie for the kids. Who am I kidding? It’s just cereal and a banana.
7:15 Check the twins’ backpacks for extra underwear. Surprise! There’s an acorn in there instead. Dash upstairs to find some. This counts as my morning exercise, right?
7:30 Time to wake the twins for preschool. Repeat everything twice. Herd them downstairs, reminding them to eat breakfast. “Please finish eating!” I say, trying not to lose my cool.
8:15 Finally get everyone out the door and into their car seats while breaking up fights. Chug the remaining coffee on the way to preschool and realize I didn’t eat breakfast. Classic!
2. Emily, a New Mom with a Newborn
4:30 Baby cries. I reach over to pop the pacifier back in, but it falls out four more times. Is tape an option?
5:00 Finally feed the baby while dreaming up a business plan for a coffee delivery service for new moms. Sleep is a dream at this point; aiming for four hours feels like winning the lottery.
5:30 Baby’s still awake. She’s had a gourmet breakfast of…just kidding, it’s a Dunkin’ Donuts sandwich.
6:00 Baby’s wide awake and watching me change her diaper. She clearly senses that it’s time to rise and shine, just not with coffee in hand.
6:30 Hand her off to her chipper dad who’s enjoying a leisurely breakfast while I try to sneak in a shower.
7:00 A quick shower, but I’m convinced I hear screaming. Nope, just my imagination from sleep deprivation.
7:15 Celebrate being dressed while realizing baby’s still in a milk-stained onesie. Choose a cute outfit for her because one of us should look good today!
7:30 Hubby leaves for work, handing me a to-do list I promptly forget. Donut brain wins again!
8:15 Pack up everything for a thrilling trip from the bedroom to the living room. Oh, look! A leftover donut!
3. Lisa, a Busy Working Mom
6:00 Alarm blares. Snooze it.
6:30 Alarm again. I scroll through Facebook while my husband makes breakfast.
7:00 Finally drag myself out of bed, throwing on sweatpants from a college I didn’t attend. My toddler and I sit down for breakfast as I try to juggle feeding her and scrolling through social media.
7:15 Convince my two-year-old to get ready while she claims her feet are too big for the stairs. Seriously?
7:20 Dress her while she rolls on the floor like a burrito, screaming “LEAVE ME ALONE!” A bribe with YouTube videos finally works.
7:30 We’re dressed, but she’s brushing the bathroom mirror with her toothbrush. After some silly noises, she agrees to let me brush her teeth.
7:45 Convincing her to wear appropriate shoes is a battle. Load her into the car, wave off the husband and toddler, then return to work.
2:30 Finally, a break—lunch and a shower!
4. Michelle, a “Mediocre” Housewife
6:00 Kids jump on the bed fighting over who gets to snuggle closest to dad. Dad escapes to the shower, leaving me to deal with the chaos.
6:30 Drag myself out of bed in old sweatpants. Head downstairs to make some coffee and prepare breakfast, which unfortunately means sugary cereal.
7:00 Think about starting a new routine involving exercise and quiet mornings, but then I just laugh and clean up Cookie Crisp from the cat’s bowl instead. Reheat the coffee and grab an Eggo.
7:15 Kids want something different for breakfast. I blend a healthy shake, but they are disgusted and leave the table. Gummy vitamins it is!
7:30 Do the dishes while the kids have a snack because no one ate breakfast. Reheat coffee again.
8:00 Get everyone dressed—this involves a lot of chasing and negotiating with a three-year-old who can’t be reasoned with.
8:15 Finally dressed myself while counting down to bedtime!
No matter how your morning starts, know that you’re not alone. There’s a mom out there sharing your struggles, dreaming of hot coffee and a little yoga, all while still in her slippers and worn-out sweats. For more about navigating motherhood, check out this resource on pregnancy and if you’re considering starting a family, you might find this link on artificial insemination useful. Don’t forget to visit our advertiser disclosure for more insights!
Summary:
This article sheds light on the morning routines of four regular moms, highlighting the chaos, humor, and reality of their mornings compared to the polished routines of women leaders. Each mom shares her unique struggles and how she navigates the daily challenges of motherhood, proving that while mornings may not be perfect, they are filled with love and laughter.