I Have 5 Kids Under the Age of 10 But Still Have a Morning Routine—Here's How

What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before diving into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine. Tune in every Monday morning here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

There are two types of people who fall into the "morning person" category: Those who simply enjoy their time in the morning—taking things slow and relishing in the quiet that results when most of the world is still tucked away in their sheets—and those who are so busy they have no choice but to wake up at the crack of dawn and check off more items on their to-do list before the sun rises than I accomplish all day.

I think it's safe to say that Lisa Smith falls into the latter category. 

As the director of experiential events at Califia Farms (which you might recognize as Instagram's favorite plant-based milk company), Smith is already crushing it during the 9-to-5. But before that can even begin, she has a whole other job: She's the mother of five kids all under the age of 10, three of them being triplets. And to top it all off, she somehow squeezes in a daily morning routine complete with affirmations, workouts, and spending time with her children.

Whether you have kids or not, Lisa's morning routine is inspiring, to say the least. Read on for how she balances it all before her workday begins.

4:30 a.m.

I wake up, brush my teeth, and take a moment to reflect on the daily affirmations I keep on my bathroom mirror to remind me what I’m most thankful for. Then, I get dressed for my workout and head to the kitchen.

4:45 a.m.

First coffee of the day! No one’s awake yet, and it’s one of my most favorite times of the day. It’s just me, silence, and my cup of coffee. Now I’m fully awake and head out the door to the gym.

5 a.m.

I get in a quick workout almost every morning. I like to mix it up. Today I’m on the Peloton, and I also do yoga and strength-training workouts from my Aaptiv app. It’s so important to get my body moving and relieve some stress.

5:45 a.m.

I like to get ready at the gym because it’s a lot faster when I don’t have any kids grabbing at my legs or screaming for me to pick them up. I do a 10-minute face and always finish with a bold lip. It makes me feel put-together and confident. Plus, it’s fun.

6 a.m.

Back home, I meal-prep and pack lunches. I start with lunch for the kids and then tackle what we’re doing for breakfast.

6:15 a.m.

Today, lunch is a plant-based feast: Banza mac and cheese, Califia yogurt, crackers and fruit, packed in five lunch boxes and ready to go. 

6:30 a.m.

Breakfast time! It’s hard to find things that all my kids will eat, but French toast topped with maple syrup and berries is always a winner. 

7 a.m.

Once I get all the kids fed, I grab the chia seed pudding I prepped for myself as well as my second coffee of the day, which is a cold brew, and head out the door. I always take my breakfast to go to save time.

7:30 a.m.

Everyone is loaded into the van, and we are off to school. It can be crazy and hectic, but I try to use the car ride as a time to connect and talk about the day ahead.

9 a.m.

That’s a wrap! I’m at the office and ready to start my second job.

Next up: I Helped Create a Better Tampon—Here's My Morning Routine