015 | Why I Don’t Wake Up Before My Toddlers
& 5 habits for moms who sleep in
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I slept in until 8:00 this morning. I know, I know—I shouldn’t rub it in! That’s not my reality every day, but with the time change last weekend and my kids being sick the past few days, we’ve all been soaking up the extra rest.
The reason I want to talk about this today is simple: You are not a bad mom if you wake up with your kids instead of before them.
We hear it all the time—good moms wake up before their kids. We’re told it’s the “superior” way to start the day. But honestly, who says? There’s no rulebook that requires you to wake up early to be a good mom. You get to decide what your mornings look like, and if sleeping in works for you, then go ahead and enjoy it guilt-free.
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Why I Sleep In
I really value sleep. It’s probably one of my favorite things on earth. As a stay-at-home mom of a 9-month-old, a 2-year-old, and a 3-year-old, I don’t have to rush out the door in the mornings. That means I can take the opportunity to enjoy slow mornings with my kids. I plan to do that for as long as I can.
Of course, every season of life is different. Maybe one day I’ll feel differently and want to wake up before my kids. But right now, sleeping in works for us, and I’m embracing it.
You might have friends who swear by waking up early, and if that works for them—great! But we have to filter advice through the reality of our own lives. Pregnancy, newborn stages, and just plain exhaustion all play a role in how we structure our days.
Ditch the Guilt
The key to enjoying slow mornings is letting go of guilt. If you sleep in but spend the entire morning feeling bad about it, you won’t actually enjoy the extra rest.
Ask yourself: Can I wake up with my kids and still be a peaceful presence in their lives? If you can wake up alongside them, commit your day to God in a small way, and move forward with peace, then you’re doing just fine.
For me, I’ve actually found that waking up next to my kids makes for a sweet start to the day. My older two often end up in our bed by morning, and instead of waking up grumpy and calling for me, they wake up calmly and sweetly, little bedheads and all. It’s a season I know won’t last forever, so I’m cherishing it while I can.
How to Plan for Peaceful Mornings
Since I choose to sleep in, I do a few things the night before to set up my mornings for success:
Have breakfast prepped. We eat the same thing every morning—sourdough oat pancakes and eggs from our chickens. I make pancakes every other day and prep the batter ahead of time, so I just have to mix and cook in the morning.
Keep the kitchen clean. I’m not a neat freak, but I must have a clean kitchen before bed. The dishwasher needs to be running, and my pancake pan and egg pot are ready to go.
Plan for outings. If we have to leave the house early, I try to make sure it’s a leftover pancake day so breakfast is quick. If necessary, I’ll lay out clothes and pack a bag the night before.
Taking these small steps makes waking up at the same time as my kids feel peaceful instead of chaotic.
Rest in the Evening
Some moms wake up early not for productivity, but for quiet time with God, a good book, or just a moment to breathe. I totally get that! But for me, I prioritize that quiet time in the evenings. I take a hot bath, read, and go to bed early.
I’ve found that the way I go to sleep impacts the way I wake up. If I go to bed feeling peaceful and rested, I wake up the same way.
I also make sure I have time for Bible reading throughout my day, so if it doesn’t happen first thing in the morning, I don’t stress about it. I know I’ll have other opportunities to open God’s Word.
Decide What You Want
At the end of the day, only you can decide what works best for your mornings. If waking up before your kids helps you feel peaceful and productive, go for it! But if waking up with your kids allows you to start the day with joy and rest, embrace that.
And I’d love to hear from you in the comments—do you wake up before your kids, or do you prefer to sleep in?
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