Whether you are going back to work for the first time after maternity leave or you have been back to work for years, the mornings can be stressful! As I was preparing to go back to work I talked through what I needed from my husband with my therapist. There are also some things my husband and I have learned along the way to make things go more smoothly.
Divide and Conquer
You cannot do everything alone. Or maybe you can, but at what cost? My husband and I share the responsibilities of putting Ewan to bed, getting his things together for the next day, and getting him up in the morning. It doesn’t always look the same and sometimes there are long seasons of one person having to take on a larger portion, but it is never one person doing everything all the time.
Make Your Lunch/Snacks the Night Before
I try to make Sunday my prep day. Does this always happen? NOPE. Is that ok? YUP. On my best organizational Sundays I will put all my snacks in baggies for the week and put my lunches in separate containers for each day. The night before school I put everything in my lunch bag and keep it in the fridge so all I have to do in the morning is grab it and go. If I’m really on top of it I make sure the cup for my shake is clean the night before and set it out along with the blender.
As soon as I get home with Ewan I will take all the containers out of his lunch bag, put his name and the date on his snacks for the next day, and pack it in his lunch bag. All that has to be done in the morning is make his lunch. I find if I do it as soon as I get home the more likely I am to do it.
Lay Out Your Clothes the Night Before
Laying out everything down to your socks and shoes the night before can save a good amount of time in the morning. Especially if your work clothes are still hung up in the laundry room from drying and all your under garments are in a basket unfolded like me! Even just knowing what you are going to wear will save you some time. If Ewan’s clothes are still unfolded in a basket it saves time to set out what he is wearing as well.
Go to Bed at a Decent Hour
NOTHING takes the place of quality sleep. Not caffeine, protein shakes, or exercise. Nothing, end of story. Even if you don’t get all the prep you wanted to do, go to bed. Your mood will be better in the morning with quality sleep.
Give Yourself Grace
Sometimes you can do all the things and still have a super stressful morning because your toddler decides that their world has ended because you put their socks on. Or maybe your baby had a blow out as soon as you changed her. Your teenager might completely ignore the 10 times you tried to get him up and now it’s time to go and they aren’t out of bed yet. (Guilty!) Stuff happens that is completely out of your control. If your co-workers or boss are not understanding, then it might be time to find a new place to work. Your sanity in the morning is worth more than being super stressed that you will be reprimanded for being late because of life.
On the other hand, don’t think that you are the only one having trouble getting everything done the night before or has the only toddler who has thrown themselves on the floor because you put socks on them (Ewan is sooooo guilty!). You are not alone! Motherhood is a marathon, not a race. I haven’t brushed Ewan’s teeth in the morning for a while because I just don’t want to deal with the screaming. I’ll try again later.
At the very least, pick a couple things that take the most time in the mornings and do them the night before. I think you will be surprised at how much easier it will make things go.
I never want to leave a blog post without saying this: You are doing great, mama. If you are feeling like you just can’t do it anymore, please, reach out for help. If you feel overwhelmed and need to talk to someone, please, reach out. You don’t have to have a diagnosed disorder to talk to a counselor or therapist. Have HOPE, because there is HEALING!
In hope and healing,
Brittany
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV)
Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 (Non Emergencies)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Postpartum Support International Support Coordinators
Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health Symptoms (from Postpartum Support International)
My Beloved 