The Morning Routine of My 12-Year-Old Son (Plus His Tips for Other Moms!)

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Over the years, I’ve written quite a bit about morning routines for moms. But today, I thought it would be fun—and a little different—to share a behind-the-scenes look at the morning routine of my 12-year-old son.

Even better? I interviewed him so you could hear his routine—and his advice for parents—straight from the source.

But before we dive into that, here’s a little context…

Why Routines Have Always Mattered in Our Family

Since becoming a mom, routines have played a huge role in our daily life. In fact, This Routine Life was born from my desire to create structure as a new mom. I spent hours researching age-appropriate routines and testing different schedules until I found what worked best for us.

Routines gave me structure and a sense of control in the unpredictability of motherhood—and they’ve continued to benefit our family as my kids have grown.

Using Checklists to Instill Morning Habits

As my children moved from toddlerhood to the preschool years, I introduced “Morning Routine Checklists” to help them become more independent. Let’s be honest—those early days were full of resistance. My boys weren’t thrilled about being told what to do and when.

(You can find a FREE “Morning Routine Checklist” for your kid in the Quick Guide to Lessen Overwhelm + Enjoy Motherhood More. Click here to grab yours. )

But over time, the checklists became second nature. And I truly believe that those consistent habits are the reason our mornings run so smoothly today. We rarely rush out the door, and the tension is low (well, most days!).

Now that my sons are older, we’ve transitioned from paper checklists to using a *Skylight Calendar*. It helps them see their tasks and check them off—keeping the structure in place in a way that works for their age.

How to Help Kids Start a Morning Routine: Insights from My 12-Year-Old Son

I sat down with my 12-year-old to talk through his morning routine and ask what advice he has for other moms trying to help their kids build one.

What’s the best thing about having a morning routine?
“Knowing the schedule and what happens next. Without it, I’d be rushing. I have structure, and I don’t forget anything.”

What’s your favorite part of your morning routine?
“Doing my hair. I have a process—wet it, halfway dry it, add paste, scrunch it, then let it air dry.”

Is it helpful to have your routine written down?
“Yes, so I can look at it and know what I have to do.”

Any advice for moms starting a routine with their kids?
“Be looser with your routine. Your kid won’t want to follow every step exactly like you say. Let them have some freedom and choice. Don’t nag. You’ll know it’s working when they just do it without being told.”

What helps you stick to a new routine?
“Remembering the steps. A checklist helps with that.”

What should parents do if their child doesn’t follow the routine?
“Don’t say anything the first day. But if it keeps happening, give advice—like, ‘I noticed you didn’t do [x, y, z], try to pay more attention next time.’”

Do consequences help?
“Yes. If I don’t do what I’m supposed to, I can’t take my phone to school.”

Anything else you want to share?
“At first, it was hard, and I was running late. But I didn’t give up, and now I do it without a problem—and I always get to the bus stop on time.”

A Look at His Real-Life Morning Routine

Here’s the actual morning routine my son follows. He can bring his phone to school—but only if the entire routine is done on time and the upstairs lights are turned off (IYKYK!).

6:10 am – Wake-up (with help from mom)
6:15 am – Eat breakfast
6:30 am – Make bed, get dressed, brush teeth, style hair
6:45 am – Pack backpack, tidy bathroom, turn off bedroom and bathroom lights
6:50 am – Check Skylight Calendar, complete chore, review homework if time allows
7:00 am – If routine is complete and lights are off, receive phone from mom
7:02 am – Head to the bus stop
7:08 am – Catch the bus to school

He has less than an hour to get everything done—and yet, he consistently finishes on time and often has a few minutes to spare. These small habits have set him up for a smooth, stress-free start to the day.

The Power of Morning Routines for Kids

If you’re struggling with chaotic mornings, you’re not alone. But the key to smoother starts lies in one thing: consistency. Whether it’s a printed checklist, *a shared calendar,* or just a visual routine chart, creating a structured system your child can follow makes all the difference.

It might take time—and yes, it may involve a few arguments at first—but once the habits are formed, the payoff is big. Less nagging, more cooperation, and a confident kid who’s ready to face the day.

So start small, stay consistent, and trust that your efforts now will create peaceful mornings later.

Do your kids have their own morning routine? Let me know in the comments below.

Additional Morning Routine Posts:

• 7 Tips for Easy Mornings (for your kids and you!)
• 2025 Morning Routine of a Working Mom
• The Morning Routine That Makes Me a Better Mom
• The Morning Routine of 14 Moms
• 8 Tips to Create a Morning Routine as a Mom

**Before you leave, grab your free Morning Routine Checklists! You’ll find it here.**