In a world where everything is moving fast, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of slow mornings, especially with our daughter, Gia. Our weekends are often when we can fully embrace this. Gia wakes up on her own, and that in itself allows us to sleep in—well, as much as she lets us. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the day), she’s like me and enjoys waking up early, even if there’s nothing planned. If it’s 7:30 and she’s still asleep, we call that “sleeping in.”

One of the best parts of our slow mornings is that there’s no rush. We start the day by spending time with Gia—playing, reading books, just enjoying the simple moments. Eventually, we make our way to breakfast, something easy like eggs. No big plans, no deadlines—just time to be together.

I used to struggle with this kind of flexibility, especially as a parent. Having a toddler means there’s a lack of structure at times, and that used to throw me. Between her sleep schedule and when she wants to eat, it was hard for me to adapt. But I’m learning to embrace the fluidity of these slow mornings. It’s become a way to remind myself that life is unpredictable, and that’s okay. Flexibility is something I need to carry through both the good and the tough moments.

For any parent who might be struggling with the day-to-day grind, I get it. There are routines, schedules, and a million things that need to be done. But there’s a beauty in slowing down when you can. These mornings offer a chance to recharge and to just be present, without the need to check things off a list. Life is always going to be in motion, and I’ve found that these moments of downtime help me embrace the ebb and flow of it all. It’s about finding peace in the pauses, however small they may be.