Attn: Moms -- Your Morning Routine - YouLookFab Forum

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Attn: Moms -- Your Morning Routine

abc

Veteran

ETA: Mods, if this belongs in OT please feel free to move it, thanks!

In Neel's post

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....d-the-ugly
I asked her about her morning routine, because she looked so well put together in her photo showing what she wore to drop the kids off at school.

So I have a few questions for the moms out there.

1. Do you plan outfits the night before? I am guessing this will help streamline the AM routine. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't - and it shows. Note to self
2. Do you wake up before the kids to give yourself time to get yourself presentable?

My kids are little (3 and 2) so the moment they wake up, I am 100% hands on with them and have literally about 3 minutes to get myself dressed, hair in a ponytail (keeping it real), shoes on and 99% of the time I don't even attempt makeup. I see other parents (we walk the last part of the way so no hiding behind a steering wheel) and know I am being seen, but I just can't seem to get myself super presentable while deailng with two toddlers.

And to be brutally honest I am not sure I am willing to forego sleep to have prep time. Sigh.

Thoughts, tips, insight, encouragement all gladly welcomed.

Bonus: The pic is how I feel every day!

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Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Josie

Anonymous

I always get up 20 mins before I wake DS for school. I get up, feed the cat and then get dressed in an outfit I planned the night before. I then wash my face, moisturise, and get foundation on. Next I get DS up do breakfast and finish off my make up before heading out the door. I'm an evening showerer so this doesn't feature in my morning routine.

Marlene

Veteran

I am finally at the point where my kids are able to get ready on their own. I don't even have to walk them to school anymore! But back in the day, this was definitely a concern for me. Basically, I had a small "walking to school" capsule that I had ready to throw on each morning. I actually made the effort to plan out my capsule so that it was not frumpy and I felt OK in it. I think the planning of the capsule was a lifesaver because I didn't have to think about it at all...throw on and go! Hats and sunglasses were my friends because aside from sort of wrangling my hair into a less bedheaded look, I didn't bother with styling or make-up. Once the kids were settled at school, I would return home, take off my walking to school clothes and put on "real" clothes. I didn't really plan the night before since all my walk to school clothes were a mix and match capsule. I would just take it off and put it on the shelf to throw on the next morning. I would toss whatever was dirty in the laundry and grab a replacement for the shelf to wear the next morning. But really, my objectives for this capsule were totally practical. Although I did find over time I was replacing these items with higher end pieces that really made me feel a whole lot better about my look...even though I was just walking the kids to school.

PalmFronds

Ah yes the mom routine! Or attempt at routine...I have a 5 month old and 8 year old twins. Right now I am at home but when I was working outside the house things were even more hectic in the mornings!
I don't plan outfits the night before but do start thinking about them right when I wake up. I have rearranged my closet so that all my MOTG wardrobe is at the ready. Before I did that it took too long to find an outfit!!!! Makeup routine is the same: tinted moisturizer so I can forego real foundation if I need to, sweep of blush on cheeks and eyelids. If I have time before leaving the house I get eyeliner. Lipstick happens in the car before I hit the drive shift:-) I do wake before my bigger kids to shower etc as a gen rule but now my baby tends to wake me up a d I get dressed for the day during her first nap.

AviaMariah

Veteran

If I didn't have to go to an office to work I'd probably be the same as you. For me I just have to get up earlier if I want to be presentable. If I don't I am trying to throw myself together while taking care of a million other demands and I end up running late, feeling frazzled and being crabby. I find that 1/2 - 1 hour of peaceful time in the morning does me more good that the extra sleep. That's not saying I actually do this every morning. There are still plenty of hurried, frazzled and late mornings.

Neel

Veteran

I wish I could say I plan my outfits the night before. That would be a clear sign of an organized mother, which I am not. This morning's (and every morning) outfit was my FFBO. Pants, tops and shoes. I did plan (last night on my bed :D) to wear those new shoes today. So I just worked upwards from there this morning! Now this is where I think an FFBO comes very handy. The no thought uniform is a life saver. All you need is a little variety within that category. For eg. For me it would be BFs, skinnies, bootcuts for bottoms ... For tops I just go with whatever I fancy! For shoes - Sneaks, slip on sneaks, loafers .. flats of various kinds. I keep my clutches handy in good view and just toss my phone and wallet inside. What is your FFBO?

You also have to be a little easy on yourself I have a 4 and 6 yr old. Definitely much easier to handle than your 2 and 3 year olds! I know I was a mess when they were smaller. Both need to get out the door by 7:00 am. I am up at 5:30, to freshen up (brush, wash face, morning duties!, morning cuppa) and to get their lunches and breakfast ready. They wake up half hour later. I usually dress up after the kids are dressed mainly because they still need help with their morning chores and that involves water splashing. I get about 5 mins flat on a good day (I moaned about it a few weeks back when kids went back to school) FFBO, lippie, eyeliner and sunnies get me out the door in that time. I feel plenty put together. Although they are never my favorite outfits!

ETA: And those sunnies my dear I have to tell you ... The best investment ever! They hide a lot of sin underneath ;). Especially the morning under eye bags!

KikiG

Veteran

I vividly recall the little bitty kids days. Not sure if you work outside of the home, but these are my tips from having that particular experience, and some of it may apply.

My suggestion: dress you first: semi-clad little people are more attractive than semi-clad big people. You can throw a 3 year old in the car to go to day care in his/her PJs and sort it out when you get there (or not). You, not so much. If you are in danger of being slimed, you could wear an apron while you get them ready.

My other suggestion: do everything possible the night before, including putting things you can, safely, in the car.

I eventually gave up on feeding children breakfast at home who would be fed it at daycare, regardless. I am pretty sure they neither remember this nor hold it against me.

For a couple of years, I pretty much reduced work-wear into a uniform of black pants, black shoes, top, jacket and necklace. I learned then to buy identical multiples of key things like mom and kid socks, and still do it. If you find you have a life block, throw money at it, like an extra kid coat in case the kid coat gets left at daycare or in the wrong car. Not having to stand on your head (and cuss and skin your knuckles) and switch a car seat when you are already late is totally worth the expense of the duplicate car seat.

Keep things like basic make up, tights, deodorant, and wipes (for the sticky hand print on your butt you notice too late) for emergency work adjustments or things you accidentally forget to do if you are in a rush.

At one point, I had a "leave the house" checklist on the door frame, so I could get out of the house with the pump bag, my purse, my lunch, and the kids.

N-Marie

Veteran

Lots of great advice already (I'm taking notes too!). I have a 1 year old and a 3 year who goes to preschool 3x/week. I WFH full time and a have a sitter to help with childcare.

- I second everyone on the "uniform"- find a few silhouettes that work for you and have some tops and bottoms that can be worked into those formulas (mine for fall/winter are skinnies + tunics/fluid tops, boyfriends + knit blazers or sweaters, trousers + welted blouses). I try not to keep too many items that don't fit into my formulas because they create closet clutter and "analysis paralysis" in the morning.
- Find the minimum amount of makeup you can get away with in the morning (for me that's: powder, eyeliner, blush and lipstick, concealer if I have time and really need it). I've been known to apply makeup with my youngest sitting on my hip. If no time at all, I just wear lipstick and sunglasses
- Find the lowest maintenance hair you can get away with: for me, that's longer hair, with a quick use of a flat iron at the crown for frizzies (a great tip from my stylist). A flat iron on low heat can also be used to "flatten" wrinkles on clothes! I do have to be extra careful to unplug it and keepit high out of reach of little hands while cooling down...
- I shower the night before to save time in the morning. I've heard of some moms using dry shampoo to extend hair washing but it makes my hair too dry.

My schedule:
6:30 I wake up, plan outfit in my head if I have time, get up turn on flat iron, get dressed and makeup, touch up hair, start coffee
6:45-7: kids get up, I get them dressed, etc.
7:15: breakfast for everyone
7:30 or 8 : sitter arrives, I drop off 3 year old at preschool
8:30: I start work (after checking YLF, of course)

abc

Veteran

DianeG, your mornings sound way more calm than mine! Thanks for sharing your routine. I have turned into a night showerer since having the kids, so we have that in common.

Marlene, you described my mornings exactly. I get the kids to school then return and usually have some time to get myself ready before heading to the home office. I like your idea of the AM capsule. I suppose I have something of the sort, but just need to be better about picking the outfit ahead of time. Most of my stuff does mix and match so that is good.

PalmFronds, tell me more about tinted moisturizer if you don't mind. Could be something I could easily add.

AviaMariah, if I worked in an office I would force myself to get up and really ready before getting the kids out the door. Now, it's kind of a crapshoot. Thanks for making me feel better about having frazzled mornings

Neel, THE SUNNIES! LOL I just got a new pair, need to employ them during the AM routine ASAP! They're nice and oversized like yours too

KikiG, my routine is a little different since I don't drive and the kids do have to eat before they go to school. I've gotten way better about packing their stuff the night before and knowing their uniforms are ready to go, it's just me that is the mess! haha

N-Marie, thanks for sharing the nitty gritty details of your day, it helps to compare and see how I can change things up. Question: do you WFH? I would like to chat more about how you deal with school, sitter and WFH - I am exploring ideas of getting help around here as it's impossible to be everything to everyone. PM me if you don't mind or I might do the same.

I guess I also failed to add that lately (the last 1.5-2 weeks) the kids have been waking up extra early. I've been waking early as well, but enjoying the time laying awake in the bed - the calm before the storm. The bathroom is next to the kids' room so if they hear me, it's all over. Another reason I haven't bothered getting up to get ready earlier than them.

I will also say that having my hair longer (as N-Marie mentioned) has been easier with the AM kids routine. Sometimes I do the ponytail thing but if I take the time to blow it dry and touch it up with a flatiron afterwards the night before, it stays decent for at least a day or two. If I go to bed with a wet head, I wake up looking like Ana from Frozen (I figured some of you moms would recall that scene, lol).

Thanks everyone for weighing in. I have some good ideas on how I can improve thanks to you.

N-Marie

Veteran

Yes, I work from home full-time and my husband works relatively long hours outside of the home. We have a full-time nanny who has been with us since my oldest was still a baby. Happy to follow-up by PM

Alassë

Veteran

I plan outfits a week at a time and set out the next one each day. I get up before the children for quiet time (chores, personal time, and getting presentable). If exercising first, then getting presentable happens after they're up (but I'm in workout attire, not pjs). As AviaMariah said, extra time to myself in the morning is worth the lost time lying abed, unless I'm really tired.

(Note: my older kids are 4 & 5 now, so I don't have to do anything for their clothes or breakfast other than inspect/suggest. Still, when they were younger it helped immensely to dress shortly after rising - it allowed me to feel presentable the majority of the day.)

ETA: I shower at night as well. Having a few go-to hairstyles really helps.

Anonymous

You know, you will be at this stage for a pretty short period so give yourself a little (or a huge) amount of slack. I am just a bit ahead of you on kids age, 3 & 5. Our bedrooms are all very close so it is near impossible to get up before the kids, plus I have one who seems to think 6 am is a reasonable time to start the day. But, it has gotten SO much better in the last year. I can sneak away for ten minute chunks now where I would get 1 or 2 minutes alone and some mornings none just a year and half ago. I think some type of personal uniform is really useful, for me it was skinny or straight jeans, loose tee, infinity scarf, and some type of sweatshirt jacket that didn't look like a sweatshirt, flats or ankle boots with gores. A good tinted moisturizer, lip balm, and pony tail was the extent of my beauty routine. No, I didn't look great and it got old but every time I tried to veer into something more interesting the balance with the kids was thrown. But I was dressed so I felt good, much better than days I barely could get out of the house in yoga pants and a sweatshirt.

And you are not the only amazed at Neel's outfits. Man, I don't look that good without the kids in tow!

Ariadne

Veteran

My kids wake up as early as 5:30. The only way I manage to get dressed is by handing them off to my partner for 20 minutes. I've honed my shower/dress/make-up routine to the hilt. My wardrobe is very basic mix-and-match so that helps! I do a lot of jeans, (nice) tees, boots, and soft jackets, or leggings and tunics.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I'm not a mom yet, but I have come up with a super quick makeup routine I'll share:
BB cream or tinted moisturizer (I use Paula's Choice Resist foundation, which is really more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation)
Blush - I use Tarte Flush Amazonian Clay 12 hour in exposed
Mascara - I just got Younique fiber lashes and it thickens my lashes enough that I don't feel I need any other eye makeup. I have sparse lashes, so usually feel I don't look my best without at least liner, but liner takes too much concentration and I just can't see it being practical with a kid! So this is a nice compromise for me.
Sometimes - eyebrow pencil and concealer

It takes less than 2 mins and I feel it perks my complexion up enough for me to feel presentable. A little nude lippy is easy to add as well.

ETA - I agree with N-Marie on showering at night as well. I shower with enough time to let my hair air dry before going to sleep, then in the AM I run either a curling iron or flat iron through the crown and a few strands in the back to make it look like I did something...LOL. I generally shower only once every other night, and if I need to I'll use dry shampoo through the front the next day. If I don't have time for the AM stuff it's a ponytail for me...but sometimes I do have time and I always feel so much better when my hair isn't in a ponytail EVERY day...

N-Marie

Veteran

*shaking fist at fall Daylight Savings Time as a mom of young kids*

We start a week ahead of time and push bedtime back by 10 minutes at a time to prevent the dreaded 1 hour earlier wake up time. Doesn't always work although, thankfully, it did this year!

And yes, I've been known to hand off kids in the AM for 10 minutes to my husband so I can sneak upstairs and finish getting ready if they get up super early.

reshet

I am a new mum to a six-month old so I am taking notes!

At the moment I am at home full-time, and on any given day I don't necessarily need to be anywhere in the morning, so I just get up with kiddo at 6.30am, hang out with her for a couple of hours in my PJs, then shower and dress while she has her first nap.

I am so loving motherhood that the idea of going back to work makes me feel a bit sad, but when it does happen at least one silver lining is that I will have reason to wear some of my nice clothes! At the moment if I can't roll around on the floor in it then it's just not practical...

Anonymous

I shower the night before. I get up earlier than my son, who is 12 now, and get dressed for the office before getting him up. After breakfast (mine and his) I put on makeup, etc. When I leave the house to take him to school in my car, I am also ready for the office. I do have an idea of what I'm going to wear the night before but I often change my mind. I have to be organized and quick to meet school deadlines and then get to work on time too.

PalmFronds

Oh girlfriend, tinted moisturizer saves me every day ! I have darker skin so finding one that was not chalky was tough but I now use one from Nars-- I wash my face and get this one thing on in the morning so my face looks even and awake! I heard that Laura mercier makes a great one too. I like simplifying because like you, I'll take the sleep rather than add to a routine in the morning. My skin has gotten dryer as I have gone through my 30's so I need the moisture. This doesn't streak and blends right in. I love Nars! It sometimes takes trial and error but I think this is one beauty must have for all busy women, esp moms of young kids who have little time to themselves.

PalmFronds

Oh abd I echo the uniform that everyone says is important. Find yours and I suggest rearranging your closet to put those in quick reach. Even if you sometimes feel in a rut wearing the same type of thing everyday, you will still feel put together:-)

lisaflex

Veteran

laura mercier tinted moisturizer is awesome stuff

Jjsloane

Veteran

It gets easier as they get older, but I am always the first one up. I treasure my morning time. I wake, shower, make coffee and check email/YLF while everyone sleeps. Early on I might have been disturbed by an early riser (not anymore). I have to get ready for work though. When I don't go to work I still get up first and at least dress and put on a minimal face (so as not to scare the folks at the bus stop). I feel behind the rest of the day if I don't take this time for me.
I did shower the night before in early times to save a bit of time (when there were feedings required before leaving). Hang in there, you'll find what works for you.

Isabel

Veteran

My kids are 11 and almost 13. My son has to leave the house by 6:40 am. We both get up and the same time so that I can drive him. At his age, I can get ready while he gets ready. I too usually put my hair in a low bun. Then I have my own cream mixture in a pump bottle that I put on my face. The mixture is tinted BB cream and sunscreen - one step. I also do a real quick under eye concealer and a swoosh of lip tint or balm. Done. You would only need a couple of minutes before you get the kids up to do something like this.

This winter I also put together a tight everyday capsule. I throw on jeans and a cashmere or merino wool sweater over a cami. As it gets colder, I throw on a vest and a scarf. Capes are great too. Everything mixes pretty well for me right now. So I don't think of an outfit the night before unless I have an appointment to go to. ( I shower or bathe the night before. )

Have you considered a small capsule of interchangeable and versatile clothing to just throw on in the morning ? That might be worth it. And it really is all that you need. I love all the great sweatshirts our right now. They are a great casual look !

When my kids were little, I always did sunscreen and concealer. That was the absolute minimum. Granted, there were days I could barely get that on.

Niki Lea

Veteran

My morning routine is pretty regimented. Usually I set out my work outfit the night before, including shoes and accessories. My kids (ages 2 and 6) get up at around 6 a.m., so that first hour of the day I focus 100% on getting them fed, dressed, and ready to go out the door. Once they're prepped, I turn a TV show on for them and spend the next 15 to 20 minutes getting dressed, doing my makeup, packing my work bag, and heading out the door.

On the weekends I have a uniform - jeans and a short or long sleeved tee, with a bit of mascara, concealer, and cream blush, unless we're going out for a night on the town.

SandyG

Veteran

Years ago, I had a demanding morning routine because I had either rehearsals or theatre performances immediately after the school drop-off. I learned discipline despite ADD! You've received plenty of ideas for how to look -- more important IMHO is how you feel -- confident, ready to meet new people, flourish and conquer the world.

My fav motherhood quote to share with you, via Julianne Moore: "When your kids are young, they're always holding your hand. Then suddenly you turn around and it's not happening anymore. The days are long, but the years are short."

Enjoy every brief moment with your children -- but always be your own woman with your own life.

ladysarahii

My husband gets ready lightning quick so typically he dresses my daughter. I'm a slow-poke in the mornings. I do plan out my outfits the night before because I used to scrounge around off things I need and it wasted so much time.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Your kids are so young,,, It does get easier... I would put outfits together the night before and set my alarm a few minutes early if it means enough to you for the lost sleep....If not completely understandable with children this age...

Deborah

Veteran

I will start by saying not only do I like my sleep, I need my sleep

My boy is 11 so much more independent that your children at the moment so let me tell you the morning routine does get easier.

In my fantasy world I get up earlier than DH and DS and am super organised but that has never been the case:) DS usually comes and wakes us up and 'requests" someone make him breakfast lol. I have been lucky because DH has very flexible work hours and generally does not have to leave particularly early in the morning. We all leave about the same time. DH has always actively participated in getting DS (regardless of age) ready in the mornings.

Currently, DS and DH have breakfast together each morning. I will have left school uniform out and ready the night before. Lunch is made the night before. Master 11 has a list on the fridge of all he needs to do before he goes to school

I have a shower and get ready for work, or the day in general, while the boys get ready. I shower and wash my hair. I prime my face (moisturiser, concealer etc) then I usually prepare my breakfast, I finish my make up and then blow wave my hair while having breakfast (bad habit I know). I then get dressed, pack my bag, grab Master 11 and go.

Work days I really do need to plan my outfit the night before, but I am a bit slack and don't always do it. Mornings are smoother when I plan my clothing.

I went back to work when Master 11 was 6 weeks old, so my morning routine became quite fine tuned quite quickly. I don't enjoy stress in the mornings so I do recommend getting as much done at night as possible to ensure all goes well in the morning.

Jennifer

I hear you! My mornings usually feel like a scramble:

- I work from home. I don't usually think about my outfit the night before unless I am going somewhere specific (like to teach a workshop, have a meeting, take a class). If I have some free time after my daughter (2.5) goes to sleep (8p) and before my bedtime (10:30-11p), sometimes I think about stuff like ensembles as they apply to my current wardrobe; travel outfits, date night outfits, etc.
- I wake up whenever daughter does (avg. between 6-7). My husband and I switch off caretaking of toddler and dog until our nanny arrives at 9a. I usually have 20-30 minutes for shower/get-dressed time. It's a luxury when I can put on face moisturizer, and applying mascara is extravagant!
- My go-to "uniform" for work-at-home is long-sleeve shirt, belted BF jeans and a cardigan.

DonnaF

Veteran

When DD was in middle and high school, after I dropped her off at school I would just go to a college track to exercise. Putting on exercise gear is a no-brainer.

DD's old preschool teacher advised parents who had a tough time getting their little ones dressed in the a.m. to dress them in the next day's outfit after their bath. It reduces battles and saves time in the morning. It's not like tots wear linen that would get wrinkled. DD was a lark, so I never had to resort to this tactic; she's turning 21 later this week!

Josie

I'm still trying to figure out a daily uniform. I get bored with jeans everyday but that's what's easiest and now that the weather has turned freezing it's most comfortable, too.