Morning Routines for Kids With Ritual Multivitamins

Among all the things I think about, health is the number one priority when it comes to my daughter. I stay up late wondering if she’s getting enough nutrition from her endless pizza-and-chicken-nugget diet (answer: probably not). I worry that her virtual gym class and daily walks aren’t giving her enough physical exercise. If she wakes up early, I’m concerned about her quality of sleep. I used to think looking after myself was a challenge—now, I have another little body to look out for.

This is where a strong morning routine comes in. (Coincidentally, this is also where I use my secret mom hack: a chewable, multivitamin for my daughter.) If we do a few key things early in the morning, then the rest of the day can be more stress-free.

We’ve known about Ritual multivitamins for a long time (after all, it is a mom-owned company), so we were thrilled to learn that they offer a subscription program for their newly launched Ritual Essential for Kids Gummy Multivitamin. It’s made with picky eaters in mind (know one of those?) and is formulated to help nutrient gaps with 11 key nutrients and a fiber and prebiotic blend*.

We’ve known about Ritual multivitamins for a long time (after all, it is a mom-owned company), so we were thrilled to learn that they offer a subscription program for their newly launched Ritual Essential for Kids Gummy Multivitamin.

But the real bonus: it’s sugar-free with a citrus-berry flavor, so your kids won’t feel like they’re missing out on taste. My daughter says her new multivitamins smell like orange lollipops. Each multivitamin (created for kids ages 4+) is formulated with nutrients to help support normal immune function, brain health, bone health, and digestive health*.

Read on to see how two of our editors create happy morning routines that set a worry-free tone for the day.

Ritual

Essential for Kids Gummy Multivitamin

For kids ages 4+!

Shop now

6:45 a.m.

This is exactly the time every morning when I start to hear the pitter-patter of my 4-year-old daughter’s feet as she runs to our bedroom. She has an OK-to-Wake alarm that lights up when she’s allowed to get out of her room and let me tell you, the girl is prompt. We all cuddle together for 15-20 minutes while listening to an audiobook. Then, we take turns giving our daughter her bath and getting ready ourselves.

7:45 a.m.

Breakfast is my daughter’s favorite meal of the day. She runs downstairs, sighing, “I’m starving!” as if she’s an underfed urchin in a Charles Dickens novel. While I fix her breakfast (usually crackers, yogurt, and fruit), I take my own Ritual multivitamin with a large glass of water. I’m a huge proponent of doing easy things that can help support foundational health.

Before, I was taking half a dozen supplements, trying to get exactly the right formula for all my needs. But Ritual’s Essential for Women multivitamins combines key nutrients in a handy (and pretty) mint-flavored multivitamin. Plus, the ingredients are clean and high-quality, so I truly feel good about taking them and giving Ritual multivitamins to my family, too.

My daughter is a pretty picky eater. She loves carbs and cheese as much as her mama, but unlike me, has no real affection for vegetables. So, I was thrilled when I discovered that Ritual just launched a gummy multivitamin for kids. Now, she can just take citrusy, sugar-free chewables that package key nutrients for kids 4+. Many other kids multivitamins are packed with sugar, so I was happy to learn the Ritual Essentials for Kids gummies are sweetened with Monk fruit—a total mom win.*

I was thrilled when I discovered that Ritual just launched a gummy version of their multivitamins for kids. Now, [my daughter] can just take citrusy, sugar-free chewables that package everything she needs as a growing girl.

And she was genuinely excited to try them. She calls them her “vit-ah-min” (cue Peppa the Pig British accent) and admires the peachy-gold color before popping it in her mouth.

8:15 a.m.

This is our free play time before our nanny comes, and it usually means that I get to sip my coffee while acting out a gazillion dramas with my daughter’s Barbie dolls. We’ll take that time to read, plan our days, and sometimes call the grandparents. It’s a really special time to be still together, and we try to make the most of it.

9:00 a.m.

Our nanny comes around this time, and after a quick kiss for the little, I grab all my supplies (water, granola bar or yogurt, random craft supplies that I need to put away), and hop to my home office. If I have a thought or idea off-work-hours, I email it to myself so I don’t forget. So usually, I spend the morning filtering my more questionable ideas from the ones that will actually work for The Everymom. Then, it’s touching base with our wonderful team and tackling my to-do list for the day.

Ritual

Essential for Kids Gummy Multivitamin

For kids ages 4+!

Shop now

5:45 a.m.

My alarm clock is now either a bark from our new puppy downstairs or a little whisper in my ear, “Mom, can I come in and snuggle?” These morning wakeups used to wear me down (they also used to happen around 3 or 4 a.m.), but my two girls are getting older, and I know this time is fleeting. Plus, a family snuggle sandwich isn’t a bad way to start a day.

6:15 a.m.

Time to get out of bed. Since the pandemic, a silver lining for my husband and I has been a jolt back into exercise. He used to have to leave at 7 a.m. for a 45-minute commute, but now he’s working from home too. So, we alternate mornings for workouts. If it’s my day, I either use the treadmill in the basement or do an online dance aerobics class in the living room (which has become more complicated with the puppy jumping all over me). Whoever isn’t exercising starts making the girls breakfast. My oldest is always famished and “dehydrated” (so she says). Both sit on stools at our island, and the parent in charge stands on the other side, acting as the restaurateur.

First up, giant cups of water to cure that “dehydration.” Next, a menu assortment of breakfast items: often yogurt, cereal, or pancakes. My youngest was the ultimate picky eater, basically living off mac and cheese and peas for her entire toddlerhood. She just turned 5 and is finally starting to broaden her palette, so when I hear she likes something healthy like peaches or apples, I stock up and offer them at mealtime—really any time—especially when I hear the “I’m hungry” whine.

But, I always worry she’s not getting enough key nutrients. The kid has eschewed all supplements and vitamins, so I’m excited about the launch of the new Ritual Essential for Kids Multivitamin. She never liked the taste or the texture of other products—even chocolate-flavored powders—I mean, it was chocolate! But Ritual multivitamins resemble a chewy gummy snack, which is so fun. I like Ritual multivitamins because they’re sugar-free and their three-in-one design combines a daily multivitamin with vegan Omega-3 DHA and a good source of fiber.

I like Ritual multivitamins because they’re sugar-free and their three-in-one design combines a daily multivitamin with vegan Omega-3 DHA and a good source of fiber.

While the girls eat and take their vitamins, I make my coffee, eat breakfast (usually Greek yogurt with granola and berries), take my own multivitamins, and we talk about the day ahead.

7:00 a.m.

Time to get out of pajamas and get dressed. I usually shower first, and my girls can mostly get themselves ready, but I still have to remind/fight them to brush their teeth every day. My husband usually makes their lunches during this time. Their typical lunch includes a Sun Butter sandwich, squeezy yogurt pack, crackers, and a special treat.

7:30 a.m.

Depending on the day, we often have two of our neighbors arrive at the back door for school carpool. The four girls play and chatter until it’s time to leave.

8:00 a.m.

My husband signs into work, and I’m out the door with the kids. Before we leave, there’s always a last check for water bottles, lunch boxes, face masks, and mittens. I’ve started keeping extra masks in the car because we’ve had too many “I forgot …” moments (and the kids have to be in masks on school property). First drop-off is the elementary school, then off to pre-K.

8:35 a.m.

I’m back at home ready to sign into work.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.