My life changed the day I decided to wake up before my young children to spend time with God in prayer and reading His Word. But getting there wasn’t easy.
I had every excuse in the book:
“My kids wake up so early. I could never get up before them.”
“As soon as I wake, my kids get up.”
“I am exhausted. I need every possible moment to sleep.”
I get it. Sleep is precious—especially as a mom. But I also knew that I needed quiet time with the Lord and rest for myself.
With our first child, we made plenty of sleep mistakes. But by the time our next three came along, we had learned a few things. Read how we created a bedtime routine and 5 tips for success. With some intentional changes, our home became a peaceful place from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. After the newborn months, our little ones rarely woke in the middle of the night, giving Mom and Dad the rest and time together that we needed.
Before you assume we just had “easy” kids, let me assure you—that wasn’t the case. If you’ve followed this blog, you know our family has faced challenges like ADHD, Autism, and Sensory Processing Disorder. If that wasn’t enough, as new parents, we had unrealistic expectations. But through trial and error, we discovered what worked for our home.
So if you’re in the thick of early mornings and feeling defeated, I hope these tips will bring some rest and hope.
#1: Set a Family Wake-Up Time
In our home, mornings started at 7:00 a.m. That doesn’t mean my kids couldn’t wake up before then—it just meant they stayed in their room until it was time to start the day (except for bathroom needs). Talk with your spouse to set a morning routine and wake-up time, then use that plan to train your children (next week’s blog post).
#2: Give the child visual clues.
I failed to recognize that young children rely on light and darkness to tell time. Giving them a visual cue for when they could get up was a game-changer! We’ve used a nightlight on a timer, outdoor lights, and even a post-it note next to their clock marking the “7.” You can now purchase Wake-Up Clocks (ad) for kids to help them know when it is time to start the day. More on this next week.
#3: Don’t Rush In
Just because a child wakes up doesn’t mean they are done sleeping. Many times, my kids stirred at 4:00 a.m., but if I left them alone, they fell back asleep on their own. Give them a chance to return to sleep before assuming they’re up for the day.
#4: Don’t Make Sleep the Goal
At first, I focused on getting my kids back to sleep. But I quickly realized I couldn’t make them sleep. My goal needed to be helping them learn to stay calm and quiet in their bed until morning. That shift in mindset made all the difference.
#5: Remember that Sleep Phases Happen
Sometimes kids get stuck waking at the wrong time—often due to growth spurts, teething, or no reason at all. Help them through it, but don’t let it become a habit.
#6: A Small Toy Can Help
Sometimes a soft book or small toy can help a child settle back to sleep or stay calm until morning. A few toys can also occupy a little one for a short time until mommy comes to get her. Just be cautious—very early mornings shouldn’t turn into playtime.
#7: Be Consistent, It’s Worth It
Teaching a child to stay in bed isn’t always easy—especially with a toddler. But the typically short-lived hard work pays off. Everyone gets better rest, and Mom can enjoy quiet time with Jesus. That’s a win for everyone! If you don’t want your child sleeping in your bed or on your floor, don’t start that habit. Keep any comforting brief, quiet, and in their room. Once you commit to sleep training, follow through. Giving up halfway only teaches your child that persistence wins—but not in a good way.
Next week, I’ll walk you through the exact steps we used to train our kids to stay in their rooms until 7:00 a.m.—even when it meant retraining ourselves first. This is where the real freedom begins.
You’re doing great, mama. Don’t give up.
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