How I Took Back My Mornings as a Working Dad
There was a stretch where my mornings felt like a sitcom gone wrong:
Lost shoes. Cold coffee. Me yelling “WE’RE LATE” while still in sweatpants.
I wasn’t lazy. I was just reacting to everything—and paying for it all day.
Here’s how I reclaimed my mornings, one small shift at a time. No miracle routines. Just a system that works, even when life is loud.
⏰ Step 1: Wake Up 15 Minutes Earlier (Yes, Just 15)
You don’t need to wake up at 5 a.m. and journal in candlelight. You just need breathing room—literally.
Start with:
10–15 quiet minutes before the house wakes up
Drink coffee while it’s hot
Look at your day before it blindsides you
📌 Set your alarm, put your phone across the room, and tell yourself: This is mine.
📋 Step 2: Do the 3-Thing Morning List
Before the chaos hits, jot down:
One thing for home (groceries, lunch packed, trash out)
One thing for work (email, deadline, meeting prep)
One thing for you (stretch, walk, breathe, eat breakfast)
That’s your compass. If the rest of the day blows up—you still moved the needle.
🖨️ Use the [Daily Dad Planner] printable to lock in the habit.
🧠 Step 3: Build a Pre-Launch Routine
This is the 10–20 minutes before you head out the door (or start work).
Create a rhythm:
Get dressed
Grab bags + snacks + lunch
Confirm calendar
One deep breath
Do it in the same order every day. It trains your brain to launch without stress.
🧠 Dad Hack: Use "Automation Anchors"
Automate where possible.
Pair tasks with existing habits:
Coffee brews → glance at to-do list
Brush teeth → check calendar
Kid’s breakfast → review emails
Stack habits to reduce decision fatigue.
🖨️ Free Download: Daily Dad Planner (Printable)
Includes:
3-task daily framework
Time-blocking template
Space to reflect + reset
Print it, post it, forget 90% of it—still better than nothing
[Download the planner →]
❓ FAQs
What if I’m not a morning person?
Don’t overhaul everything. Just reclaim 15 minutes. It adds up.
How do I stay consistent?
Pair it with something you already do (coffee, shower, etc.). Consistency > intensity.
What if the kids wake up early and ruin it?
It’ll happen. Smile, reset, try again tomorrow. This is a practice, not a performance.
🧪 What to Try This Week
Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier one day this week
Fill out the [Daily Dad Planner] and stick it on the fridge
Pick one “automation anchor” to try each morning
You’re not aiming for perfect mornings.
You’re aiming for mornings that don’t suck—and set you up to win the rest of the day.
Start small. Keep showing up.
