My alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m.—or at least, that’s the goal. In reality, my wake-up time depends on how the night before went.

As a stay-at-home mom with a remote part-time job, my evenings are often spent writing pieces like this, followed by the inevitable sleep interruptions that come with having two little ones (my 2.5-year-old daughter and 16-month-old son).

Some nights, I sleep soundly. Other nights, someone needs a bathroom trip, a cuddle, or—if it’s my youngest—several rounds of nursing. Those quiet, middle-of-the-night moments are precious, but they also make mornings tough. Thankfully, my husband, ever the early riser, sets five alarms and gets us all moving.

No matter how the night went, 6 a.m. is our hard start. When I’m groggy, I fight off the morning grumpiness with a simple Morning Offering—a small prayer to center my day in gratitude

First moments: The calm before the storm

If all goes according to plan, I shower and get dressed before the kids wake up. On especially good mornings, I might even squeeze in some quiet work time. Ideally, my husband and I can share a home-brewed cappuccino together—just a small moment of connection before the day carries us away.

But if time is tight, I prioritize the essentials: showering and getting out the door, knowing breakfast can wait.

Our son, the household’s natural morning person, greets the day with boundless energy. Unlike me, he’s ready to go the moment his eyes open. His older sister, on the other hand, is a sweet, sleepy bear—only stirring when the sound of breakfast dishes and her brother’s giggles finally wake her. Once both kids patter into the kitchen, we make sure they get their morning milk or juice while we prep their breakfast.

The morning tag team

Mornings are a well-rehearsed dance between my husband and me. One of us gets ready while the other makes sure the kids are dressed, changed, and fed (pro tip: only buying white socks for the kids is a lifesaver in the daily matching game).

Some days, one of us is more exhausted than the other, so we pick up the slack where needed. It’s teamwork in its most practical, loving form.

Anchoring our day in faith

Most mornings, we pile into the car and head to daily Mass at our parish before my husband starts work at 8 a.m. This tradition—one that stretches back to my own childhood—frames our entire day as a prayer. The kids love the routine, and I love how it orients our hearts, even amid the morning chaos.

Some days, we oversleep. Some days, getting everyone out the door feels impossible. But I remind myself that when we can make it work, every little effort is an offering of faith.

The reset: music, messes, and morning adventures

Once we’re back home, I turn on some music—sometimes VeggieTales, sometimes Italian opera, depending on the kids’ requests—and start cleaning up from breakfast.

From there, the morning unfolds in its own way. Some days, we head back out for errands, doctor’s appointments, homeschool co-op, or a library trip. Other days, we settle into a slower rhythm at home with stories, crafts, chores, and snuggles.