The Sorted Dad

Let me start by saying this isn’t one of those Pinterest-perfect routines with candle-lit baths and handwritten journals. This is the real, slightly knackered dad version — designed to help me show up better for my family without needing a full hour of alone time (because let’s face it, that’s rare).

It takes 5 minutes. It’s simple. And it genuinely changed how I show up as a parent the next day.

Why Evenings Matter More Than Mornings

Most productivity advice is obsessed with mornings — but for me, the evening is where the chaos begins or ends.

When I go to bed stressed, unprepared, or overstimulated (hello, late-night scrolling), I wake up short-tempered, scattered, and basically playing catch-up from the first nappy change.

But when I take five minutes to reset the night before? Mornings go smoother, and I feel more like a present, functioning human — not just a caffeine-fuelled responder to whatever my toddler throws at me (sometimes literally).

What This Routine Helps With

• Fewer morning meltdowns (theirs and mine)
• Quicker get-out-the-door routines
• Better sleep
• Reduced decision fatigue
• Feeling like I have at least some control

And I didn’t have to wake up at 5am or meditate on a yoga mat.

The Routine: 5 Minutes, 5 Steps

You can tweak this to fit your life, but here’s what I do every night before I shut off:

🧼 1. 

Reset the Physical Space (1 minute)

Before you hit the sofa or scroll yourself to sleep, do a quick tidy of just one area:

• Stack the dishwasher
• Clear the lounge floor
• Wipe the highchair/table
• Put toys back in one basket

I’m not deep cleaning — just resetting the space I’ll walk into tomorrow morning. Nothing kills a morning faster than stepping on Duplo with no coffee yet in hand.

🧠 Want to feel more in control of daily chaos? 10 Realistic Fitness Wins for Tired Parents That Actually Boost Energy

📝 2. 

Check Tomorrow’s Plan (1 minute)

I glance at the calendar or my notes app and mentally walk through the next day:

• Nursery drop-off or home day?
• What’s for dinner?
• Any appointments or calls?
• Do we need anything for the morning?

This reduces 90% of my morning stress. No surprises. No panicked scrambles for last-minute things.

🧺 3. 

Lay Out the Essentials (1 minute)

Think of this as setting future-you up with a small favour.

• Clothes for me and the little one: laid out or stacked
• Nursery bag packed
• Water bottles filled
• Quick breakfast prepped (overnight oats, toast setup, etc.)

It takes literally a minute but can save 15 chaotic ones tomorrow.

🧠 4. 

Mental Offload (1 minute)

This is probably the most underrated part. I jot down (on my phone or a notepad):

• Any nagging thoughts (“buy nappies,” “reply to childminder,” “book MOT”)
• Worries or random reminders
• Things I don’t want to forget tomorrow

It’s not a journal. It’s a brain dump — clearing space so my brain can actually rest overnight.

📵 5. 

Tech Wind-Down (1 minute)

I set an alarm, turn off notifications, and put my phone on “do not disturb.” That’s it. No scrolling until midnight. No overstimulation from endless reels.

Sometimes I’ll swap this minute for reading something low-key or chatting with my partner instead. Either way, the phone goes down.

📉 Also read: How I Cut My Monthly Family Food Bill by £150 Without Eating Rubbish

Realistic Expectations

Will this routine make every morning flawless? No.

But it removes friction, calms your mind, and gives your family a better version of you.

And the best part is — when you miss a night, you’ll feel it the next day. That’s when you realise just how powerful those five minutes are.

Make It Stick (Without Guilt)

Here’s how I made the habit last:

• Set a phone reminder at the same time every night
• Keep it visible (post-it note, fridge, etc.)
• Do it before you’re tired — don’t leave it until 11pm
• Don’t aim for perfection — a quick reset is better than nothing

Even if I only hit 3 out of 5 steps, that’s a win.

Small Habit, Big Ripple

You don’t need to overhaul your whole evening. Just give yourself five intentional minutes — every night — and watch what happens:

• You’re calmer
• The kids feed off that
• The house feels less chaotic
• You make fewer stupid decisions (hello, impulse Amazon buys)

And importantly? You go to bed feeling like you’ve got this — not like you’re already behind.