The Benefits of Waking Up Early | Waking Up Before Your Children
I don’t know about you, but I have never been a “morning person” in the sense that I have never found it easy to wake up early. I have always struggled with this – since I was a teenager!
A Lofty Goal
However, this year I made the goal to start waking at least 30 minutes before Harrison (my 2 year old) so that I could be “fully awake” and ready for the day before he woke up.
Friends – let me tell you – it has been a game changer since I started waking up early and before my child. A complete life-changer!
It has been over a month now that I have been consistently setting my alarm to wake up at least 30 minutes before my son, and I am convinced that this is what every other successful person in the world does – because of how productive this small adjustment has made me.
How Life has Changed
Since waking up early, I have noticed that my days are more productive, I get more of my to-do list checked off, I am happier and more positive, I eat healthier, I sleep better, and I just feel better overall.
I recently filmed a video where I go over exactly how I get up earlier, what all has changed since doing so, and more. If you would like to watch it, I will leave it below. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel for more videos like it and videos with women and mother’s lifestyle content.
Questions for You
I am so curious – do you wake up before you children? Or do you sleep in every last minute until they wake up (which is what I did for nearly 2 years with Harrison)? Let me know in the comments! If you do wake up before your children, please comment below with any tips or tricks you have on getting yourself to do this – to help others out who may be wanting to try it.
Self-Care
For those of you who would like to get started on self-care in terms of waking up early, along with 4 other life-changing tips for self-care, here is a FREE Self-Care Printable. I know you will love it!
If you want to read more about the 5 life-changing self-care tips (that are actually realistic and doable) check out my last blog post by going here. Thereās still time to enter my February Valentineās Day Giveaway by going here or here.
Take Aways
Want more “mom” content? Then head over to my post about 6 ways to naturally boost your immune system, my post about gender norms and toddlers, or how to stay hydrated (6 easy tips & tricks).
If you are a stepmom (or know of one), check out The Stubborn Stepmom before you leave! If you are a businesswoman (or know of one), check out Leslie W. Business Babes too!
Thanks for reading, and as always, take care!
I bet it does help to get ready for āHā before he gets up. Since he is so active I bet itās much easier to get out of the house and go for walks or to the park if you are completely ready to go !
Yes that’s exactly how it helps! I don’t have to say “hold on a minute, honey” anymore – we are just ready to go š Thank you, Nancy š
Getting up earlier has been one of my resolutions this year but so far my habits have not changed. I need to work on this. I wake up early enough but tend to stay in bed reading longer than I should.
Well, as my mom has said before – maybe you just need the extra rest right now. You can always tackle this at another time. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself grace <3 Thank you Lora.
I agree with this. It gives you more me time!
It really does! Thanks for reading, Tricia š
Waking up early has been a game changer for me…iam always calmer and happier when I have that time in th morning!
That’s a great way to put it, Holly – calmer and happier š
I love to be up before everyone else. It’s so peaceful and quiet. It gives me time to ponder and plan my day.
That sounds so nice, Lucinda. It is a peaceful time in the morning before everyone else wakes up š
Maybe when my son starts sleeping later, I will wake up before him. Currently he is 6 months old and recently has liked getting up at 4 am LOL
Oh yes, it takes time. I wasn’t able to do this until recently once my son was 2 years old! He will get settled into a routine before you know it. It took until about 18 months for my son. I hope everything else is going well with you and your little one Sydney! <3
I started doing this over the last year, not on purpose, but it has worked out SO well for me! I love it. Having never been a morning person in the past, I surprised myself!
Aww that is great, Lee Anne! Good for you! I am proud of you. It is so much harder than people think! š
I know the benefits in theory but when I am sleeping that goes right out the window!
Haha, that it does, Cindy! Wish it wasn’t so!
I also learned this to be beneficial when o first had kids and I still practice it!
Good for you, Emily! And how old are your kids now?
I also struggle with getting up early. I know it would help my day but most of the time I just canāt do it.
It is so hard to do, Candy. What helped me was taking baby steps. One day I simply said I was going to get up in just enough time to put my clothes on for the day. That took an extra 3 minutes, that’s it. The next day I said I was going to get up in just enough time to put on my clothes and have a banana…etc. I slowly worked my way up to waking up 30 minutes early. It took some time, but now I feel like it is a habit. Maybe start with a smaller goal? Don’t try to go above and beyond at first, give yourself time. <3
I need to start with going to bed early!
Debbie, that is such a huge part of it! More than we realize! It’s hard though when that time before bed is your only time to truly rest and enjoy yourself during the day!
I should do this, but I don’t. I tend to stay up late at night to have some alone time or adult time, watching movies, etc. My kids are older now, and they wake up pretty early.
I completely understand this, Noelle. I stay up later than I should. I just know that my days aren’t the same when I don’t wake up earlier than my son…it’s odd that such a “small” thing can make such a huge difference!
There’s a different cycle at the end of the day. As an adult, I go to bed after the kids. Then, the kids go to bed after me. Then, it reverts back to the kids go to bed before me.
Very interesting, Jennifer. So it changes every day?
Though past the time of littles around, I now have grandkids. And when they stay with me, I still get up before them….have my time, get a bit organized and then wait for them to crawl in be with me for earl morning giggles. I guess that my grandma perogative. Thanks for the post.
Aww that sounds so sweet, Beth! I guess it makes a difference for grandmothers too! š
When my children were little, I was a stay-at-home mom and always woke up at least an hour before they did. I absolutely loved that part of the day, and I completely agree that it’s a game changer. Now, my son gets up before me, but I think he enjoys that bit of self-care time to himself in the morning. I get mine when he’s at school. I adore that photo of you and your son on the beach. It’s the most precious thing I’ve seen today. ā¤ļø
It is a game changer. So cute that your son now gets up before you and enjoys his self-care time! š And thank you for the compliment on the photo – but that is not me! It’s a stock photo! I loved it though. It does remind me of me and my son when I’m wearing him <3 Thanks Ramae!
Oohhh..I love the video v. blog post – great idea! I also hit snooze ALOT! I used to wake up for a bootcamp class at 5:30am. Then I became a consultant making my own hours. Now I usually don’t get up until 9am and drag all day. I have had a hard time getting back into a groove while I tackle blogging and other HR consulting gigs….your enthusiasm has gotten me thinking again!
I’m so glad this has gotten you thinking again, Judean! Sounds like you are busy, but I know you can do it! š
This was one of my New Year’s goals too! I have kept it up some days and enjoy that time, but it’s also like my kids have a sixth sense that I’m up and then they wake up earlier! Gah!
Ha, kids are like that – mine too! Good luck to you moving forward š Thanks Christina!
I really like waking up early and getting my exercise in and done for the day! It gives me so much time for other things.
That’s a great idea to do your exercise then. I need to start doing that as well! Thanks Lisa!
I always did this when my kids were young. It made the world of difference….my friend & I would have a chat at 6am almost every morning…We called it our friendship huddle.
Wow that sounds so nice! Do you still do that with your friends?
Yes! I started doing this when my kids were toddlers. They are 18 and 14 now, but I still set my alarm and get up before everyone. During the week it is an hour before and on the weekends it depends. They are teens, so they do like their sleep. š I get so much done and I enjoy the peace and quiet.
The peace and quiet is nice…even with teenagers š Thanks Heather!