(Spoiler: I still explode. Just… slightly less.)

5:30 am. I wake up to someone breathing on my face.

My two-year-old daughter is lying next to me. Again. Somehow this ends up happening a lot. But honestly, as long as I get some sleep, I don’t question it anymore. I’ve become quite lax about the “rules” that might cost me precious rest. Sleep is the higher goal!

So, become vaguely conscious, breastfeed, and try not to fall out of bed while a little voice says “Mama, wake up, light on!” And yes, she can do light switches now. Snap – and off we go – the Working Mum Morning Challenge begins!

We need to be out the door by 7:40 am: nursery drop-off and then straight to work. That gives us around two hours to navigate the breastfeed-wake up-breakfast-getting-dressed-dressed-again-toothbrushing-socks-no-not-THAT-jumper chaos and somehow emerge looking vaguely human.

Some mornings feel like a small miracle. Others feel like emotional warfare. As I’ve said before… the idea that working mums “manage it all” is a myth I can’t perpetuate. But here are 5 things that sometimes help me get through it, that might help you, too!

1. I let some things go – even if they’re… soggy.

Take this morning. It was raining but she wanted to wear sandals. I know it’s because she can put them on herself and wants to feel grown-up. So, you know what? I said fine. We’re going in the car anyway. But here’s the twist… others would call it a mum hack, but I’m sure I’m not the first to come up with it!

Once she’s inside at nursery, kissed me goodbye and wandered off to play, I quietly swap the sandals for boots under her locker. Problem solved, no power struggles.

(Disclaimer: This is also how I ended up driving around town with a bucket and spade full of seashells for a week!)

2. Evening-before Prep – it’s the thought that counts.

Let’s be real: prepping the night before is great in theory. So yes, I should recommend it here. Sometimes I manage it, and feel like some kind of award-winning mum hero! But most days, by the time my Little Bean is asleep and I’ve had a shower, I’m running pretty low on energy and altogether out of bothered-ness. And anyway, there’s no way I’m sneaking into her room to lay out clothes. She’s finally asleep—I’m not risking anything!

But here’s what I can do: a quick mental rundown once I collapse on the sofa.

• What am I going to wear that doesn’t need ironing and hides porridge stains?
• What can she eat tomorrow that won’t cause a meltdown?
• What’s missing from my work bag?
• Did I put petrol in the car?

Even that little “mind rehearsal” makes the next morning feel slightly less like I’m being chased through a supermarket with no list.

3. I get her involved (in her own beautiful, chaotic way).

This wasn’t planned. But it’s one of the best things that’s evolved. My Little Bean knows our morning routine and most of the time she can follow it together with me.

She hands me my hair band when we first get up. She blows on my tea so I can drink it faster (sometimes overenthusiastically… so I end up with less tea, which has the same faster-drinkable result!). She sometimes even takes off her own pyjamas to get dressed – though where and when can be anywhere from helpful, to amusing, to downright pain in the potato! She knows we need bags, shoes, and coats. She’s even stopped me from leaving the house in slippers on multiple occasions! She’s only two. But she’s in it with me. It’s messy, but it’s teamwork.

4. I outsource what I can.

If my husband’s home (and not already gone to work), he takes the lead on a stinky nappy, the breakfast rollercoaster (“I want that! No, that! Actually, that…”), and lunchbox duties. Note that he doesn’t “help” me, but does his part in parenting. That frees me up to hunt down shoes, fill bags, find that thing I forgot last night, or just take three uninterrupted sips of tea. Some days, that’s all the mum self-care there’s time for!

And even Little Bean pitches in more than you’d think. She’s learned how to put on her own sun cream—sometimes while I’m still wrestling with her dinky shoes or trying to zip up my coat with one hand. It’s not perfect, but it’s help, and I’ll take it.

5. I keep emergency supplies in the car. Yes, including a bucket and spade.

You know that scene in every spy film where the hero opens the boot and has a full survival kit? That’s me. Only it’s nappies, wipes, toddler snacks, emergency socks, and sand toys.

More than once, that random rice cake or backup pair of tights has saved the day. And yes, the bucket and spade stayed in the car for a week. Just in case I needed it while driving through town or rushing to a meeting. Stranger things have happened.

In conclusion:

Mornings with toddlers are not serene rituals. I was never expecting them to be when I went back to work full-time, but somehow I thought I might settle into a calmer routine. But no, mornings are T loud, unpredictable, and weirdly sticky. But they’re also full of tiny victories and (accidental) teamwork.

If you’re reading this in yesterday’s leggings with mashed banana on your sleeve—you’re not failing. You’re just a working parent doing your best. And that’s enough.

What about you?

What keeps you functioning before 8 am? Whispered affirmations? Secret chocolate? A time-turner from Hogwarts? Leave a comment – I’d love to hear your glorious, imperfect strategies!