Dreading the Morning? You’re Not Alone.
If you’ve ever faced spilled milk, a missing shoe, and a last-minute school project all before 8 AM, you know the sheer chaos that can define the start of your day. As a parent, you’re juggling a million things before the sun is even up, leaving you feeling overwhelmed before you’ve taken your first sip of coffee.
The toughest part? When the AM hours spiral, it sets a stressful tone for everything that follows. It’s easy to dread that first wake-up call, feeling behind before the day has truly begun.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little structure and a simple plan, you can transform the chaos into calm. Enter The Morning High Five—a practical, five-step routine designed to bring peace and productivity back to your family’s start.
What is The Morning High Five?
The Morning High Five is a mom’s morning routine built on five small but powerful steps. These steps are simple enough to do even on busy days but impactful enough to shift your mindset and help you start the day right.
Here’s how it works:
- Get Dressed
Changing out of pajamas tells your brain, “I’m ready.” It may sound small, but this shift helps you step into the mindset of tackling the day instead of dragging through it. - Make Your Bed
This is your first quick win of the day. It only takes a minute, but the ripple effect is huge. Your room looks tidier, and you’ve already accomplished something before breakfast. - Unload the Dishwasher
It’s not glamorous, but starting with an empty dishwasher makes the rest of the day easier. Now breakfast dishes can go straight in, which keeps the kitchen from turning into another source of stress. - Start a Load of Laundry
Laundry piles up fast. By starting a load in the morning, you stay ahead of the game and lighten your mental load around household management. - Check the Calendar
Take a quick glance at your planner or phone. Are there appointments, school events, or deadlines today? This simple step helps you focus, prioritize, and avoid surprises.
These are the five pillars of the Morning High Five. Together, they turn morning chaos into a manageable rhythm.
Why This Simple Routine Works So Well
The secret isn’t that these steps are revolutionary. It’s that they’re small, doable, and build momentum.
The Power of Small Tasks
When mornings feel overwhelming, it’s tempting to freeze up. By tackling simple tasks first, you create a string of quick wins that boost your confidence and set a positive mindset for the rest of the day.
Habit Stacking
The Morning High Five works because it uses habit stacking—the practice of linking one habit to another so they become automatic. For example, while the coffee brews, unload the dishwasher. While the kids brush their teeth, start that laundry load. One action flows into the next.
The Emotional Shift
Instead of spiraling in frustration, these steps help you feel accomplished and feel prepared before you even leave the house. That feeling of control carries into the rest of your schedule, setting you up for a successful day.
How to Make it Work for Your Family
Every family’s rhythm is different, but the beauty of the Morning High Five is that it’s adaptable.
Integrating with the School Year Routine
During the school year, mornings can feel like a sprint. Try weaving the High Five into that busy school year routine by anchoring it around natural transition points:
- Get dressed before waking the kids.
- Start laundry while packing lunches.
- Check the calendar right after breakfast.
These adjustments keep the steps manageable even during the most morning chaos-filled weeks.
Making it a Habit
Consistency is key. At first, you may forget or get distracted. That’s normal. Start small and build from there. Even if you only hit three out of the five steps, you’re already ahead of where you started. Over time, these morning habits become second nature, giving you a rhythm that no longer feels like work.
The Ripple Effect: A Peaceful Morning, a Peaceful Home
What happens when your mornings are smoother? The benefits stretch far beyond the five tasks.
- Organization: When the dishwasher and laundry are in motion, your home feels more under control.
- Productivity: Starting with wins fuels motivation for the rest of the day.
- Time Management: By checking your calendar, you avoid last-minute scrambles.
- Self-Care: When the basics are handled early, you carve out more breathing room later—for a walk, a hot shower, or simply sitting with your coffee in peace.
A peaceful morning often sets the tone for a peaceful home. Instead of reacting to chaos, you’re leading with calm and intention. And when mama feels steady, the whole family feels it too.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Day, One High Five at a Time
The Morning High Five isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. By focusing on five small steps, you set yourself up for a smooth morning, a good day, and the confidence to handle whatever comes next.
This simple practice helps you take control of your day, shift into a positive mindset, and feel that rare but wonderful combination of prepared and accomplished.
So here’s the challenge: try it tomorrow. Get dressed, make your bed, unload the dishwasher, start that laundry, and check your calendar. One high five at a time, you’re building the foundation for a calmer, stronger, and more joyful motherhood journey.