Published: August 21, 2025
By: Ronetta “Ronnie” Whitaker

🍃 This Week in My Real Life
Let me set the scene for you.

It’s 5:30 AM. My alarm goes off, and I hit snooze… three times, because lying next to my husband is too warm to get up. Finally, I drag myself out of bed, coffee in hand, trying to remember why I agreed to create and grow a business on top of everything else.

6:15 AM rolls around, and it’s time to start waking the girls. But do they immediately get up? Ha. No. Not until 6:30–6:45 do they start moving. Shoes? Socks? Lunch? None of it is ready yet. Somehow, between the yawns, protests, and a toddler-level negotiation over breakfast, we survive.

By 7:38 AM, my “get in the car” reminder alarm goes off. Panic sets in because we have to be out the door by 7:45 AM. If we miss this window, school starts without us at 7:55. Cue the Olympic-level maneuvering of backpacks, lunch boxes, and last-minute bathroom trips.

🚗 The 7:45 Dash: Our Morning Ritual
Somehow, every single day, we make it into the car with exactly seven minutes to spare. Miraculously, the chaos subsides once we’re buckled in. The girls argue over which snack goes in which cup holder, I mentally prepare for the day, and we breathe, just for a moment.

💼 From School Drop-Off to the Office Grind
By 9:00 AM, I’m in the office, fully “on,” juggling clients, meetings, and the never-ending to-do list. My brain is firing, my coffee is running low, and my heart is still back at home making sure everyone is fed, dressed, and happy.

🏃🏾‍♀️ The Afternoon Shuffle
1:15 PM: I leave my office and start the race to pick up the girls. By 2:25 PM, I’m back at school, greeting them with hugs and a little catch-up on their day. Home we go to cook dinner, eat, tackle homework, squeeze in our afternoon walk, and wrap up with bath, books, and bedtime. The day ends with quiet (finally!) and a moment to breathe before thinking about what tomorrow will bring.

🍱 Mom & Dad Hustle: The Real Struggle
Let’s be real—staying up late to work on this business while trying to wake up early enough to make the mornings run smoothly is a full-time sport. Some mornings, the only thing keeping me going is knowing that this chaos is temporary and that my daughters are watching me balance it all.

👢 Why Having a Village Isn’t Optional
Parenting after 40 is layered, demanding, and beautiful—but it’s not for the faint of heart. Having my husband, parents, friends, and extended family in my corner makes it all possible. Without them? Breakfast might never happen, homework would be a disaster, and honestly… I might still be in bed at 5:45 AM.

🍼 Why This Blog Exists
I started Parenting After 40 to show that these early mornings, long commutes, and endless to-do lists are worth it. We’re navigating this crazy ride with a little more wisdom, a lot of patience, and—most importantly—plenty of snack boxes.

📣 Join the Conversation
What’s your “morning hustle” routine like? Got a hack for getting kids up on time—or surviving those 5:30 AM wake-ups? Drop a comment, share your stories, and let’s grow this village together.