Life hacks for the working mum #1 - Early Rising
I used to be woken by Batman leaping on top of me and Hulk running in for a face plant right on my chest – my mini superhero’s were always early risers when they were tots and I was always woken bleary eyed by their playful pleads for breakfast –“ we are starving mummy, pleeeeease can we have breakfast now! Usually followed by an accidental foot in the mouth or kick in the eye!
This changed when I read The Miracle Morning – a book all around the power of rising early. I couldn’t fully immerse myself in all the book’s suggestions when my kids were very young, but here’s what I did do. I began setting my alarm 30mins before they got up. I’d creep down past their door ever so quietly and pop the kettle on for a large fresh ginger & lemon hot water. I would grab my journal or book and I would drink in the quiet solitude of the morning. I would gather my thoughts, I would think about the day ahead, I would take a few moments to breath deeply, and I would remind myself “You’ve got this!” Some days I meditated or prayed, other days I read or stretched and some days I simply sat in the bliss of solitude.
This 30 minutes really set me up for my days in a very calming way. I felt like I was no longer catching my tail but rather I was on top of my day. I had given myself space at the beginning of the day to just be, and that sacred space gave me a sense of grounded-ness all day long. It felt like there were pauses between my responses to stressful situations, in which I could make the better choice. I felt like I had more patience with the kids and in particular our mornings became much calmer because I set the tone- and my tone was calm.
When my boys woke up – mama was ready- on form! I often lit a candle on the kitchen table and played tranquil music, instrumental piano or something else calming. I Intentionally created an environment that wasn’t rushed and stressed but calm and in control. My boys are older now, and still this is how we roll on school mornings.
There is something powerful about setting your day up well. And if you’re a mum – how you set yourself up for the day has a dramatic impact on how your kids begin their days.
Kids soak in our atmosphere and environments more than we ever know … teaching them to start the day ahead of the crowd, with calm and stillness will be a superpower that will stand to them everyday of their lives! They may not embrace it for many years – but they will never forget a childhood built upon calm mornings that weren’t rushed and crazy, but rather grounded and anchored, serving them ohhh so well for the day ahead.