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As a stay-at-home mom, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to balance household responsibilities, taking care of the kids, and finding time for yourself.
That’s why having a well-planned schedule is crucial for maintaining your sanity and getting things done. In this article, I’ll share some tips and insights on how to create a productive schedule as a stay-at-home mom.
We’ll cover everything from time blocking and mini-routines to using a planner like this cute printable planner and waking up earlier than the kids.
Whether you’re a new stay-at-home mom or a seasoned pro looking to optimize your routine, I hope you’ll find some helpful ideas and inspiration here.
Things To Consider When Making Your Stay At Home Mom Schedule
Before diving into creating a schedule, there are a few things to consider as a stay-at-home mom. First and foremost, it’s important to assess your daily routine and identify areas where you can improve. This might involve taking a closer look at how you’re spending your time and whether certain activities are draining your energy or causing unnecessary stress.
Another key consideration is understanding your priorities and limitations. As a stay-at-home mom, your top priority is likely taking care of your kids and making sure they’re happy and healthy. However, it’s also important to recognize your own needs and limitations, such as scheduling in some self-care time for yourself.
Creating a realistic schedule that works for you and your family is also crucial. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by packing too much into your day or underestimating how long certain tasks will take. By taking the time to carefully plan your schedule, you can set yourself up for success and avoid burnout. So, take a deep breath and remember to keep things realistic and manageable as you create your stay-at-home mom schedule.
Building a Productive Schedule
Building a productive schedule as a stay-at-home mom can be a game-changer when it comes to managing your time and getting things done. One of the most effective strategies for creating a productive schedule is time blocking. This involves breaking down your day into specific time slots and assigning tasks or activities to each one.
When it comes to time blocking, it’s important to be realistic and flexible. You don’t want to schedule in too much and end up feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Instead, focus on prioritizing your most important tasks and scheduling those in first. This can include things like meal prep, exercise, and spending time with your kids.
Another key aspect of building a productive schedule is breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. For example, if you need to clean the entire house, you might break it down into smaller tasks like cleaning one room per day. This not only makes the task less daunting but also helps you feel a sense of accomplishment as you complete each mini-task.
Lastly, identifying your most productive hours of the day can also be helpful when building a schedule. If you’re a morning person, you might schedule in your most important tasks for the early hours of the day. Alternatively, if you’re a night owl, you might find that you’re more productive in the evenings. By tailoring your schedule to your individual productivity levels, you can make the most of your time and get more done as a stay-at-home mom.
My Stay At Home Mom Routine
As a stay-at-home mom, my daily routine varies depending on my family’s needs and schedule. However, I do have a few key habits and activities that help me stay productive and sane. Here’s a glimpse into my typical stay-at-home mom routine:
- 6:00-7:00 AM: Wake up, make coffee, and have some quiet time to myself before the kids wake up.
- 7:00-9:00 AM: Get the kids up, fed, and dressed for the day. We usually spend this time playing or doing some sort of activity together.
- 9:00-11:00 AM: While the kids play independently, I use this time to tackle my most important tasks of the day. This might include writing, working on a project, or doing some household chores.
- 11:00-12:00 PM: Prepare and have lunch with the kids.
- 12:00-2:00 PM: After lunch, the kids usually nap or have quiet time. During this time, I’ll typically do some more work or take care of any errands or appointments.
- 2:00-5:00 PM: Spend time with the kids, go for a walk, or do some sort of activity. This is our designated family time.
- 5:00-7:00 PM: Prepare and have dinner with the family.
- 7:00-8:00 PM: Family time, such as reading books or watching a movie.
- 8:00-9:00 PM: Get the kids ready for bed.
- 9:00-10:00 PM: Spend some time winding down and relaxing before heading to bed.
Of course, this routine is just a rough outline, and there are plenty of days where things don’t go exactly as planned. However, having a general structure and routine helps me stay on track and feel more productive as a stay-at-home mom.
Mini Routines Throughout the Day
As a stay-at-home mom, mini routines throughout the day can help you stay on track and break up the day into more manageable chunks. Here are some examples of mini routines that can help you stay productive and organized:
Morning routine: Establishing a morning routine can help you start the day off on the right foot. This might include things like making the bed, getting dressed, and having breakfast. Having a set morning routine can also help you transition from home life to work mode.
Mealtime routine: Establishing a mealtime routine can help you stay organized and ensure that everyone is well-fed. This might include planning out meals in advance, prepping ingredients ahead of time, and involving your kids in the cooking process.
Cleaning routine: Keeping your home clean and organized can be a challenge as a stay-at-home mom, but establishing a cleaning routine can help. This might include tackling one room at a time or setting aside a certain day of the week for deep cleaning tasks.
Self-care routine: Taking care of yourself is important as a stay-at-home mom, and establishing a self-care routine can help you prioritize your own needs. This might include things like taking a walk, doing yoga, or taking a relaxing bath.
Bedtime routine: Establishing a bedtime routine can help you wind down and prepare for a good night’s sleep. This might include things like reading a book, journaling, or doing some stretches.
By incorporating mini routines throughout the day, you can create a sense of structure and consistency in your daily life as a stay-at-home mom. Not only can this help you stay organized and productive, but it can also help you prioritize your own needs and maintain a sense of balance.
Do You Need A Planner As A Stay At Home Mom?
As a stay-at-home mom, it’s easy to feel like you don’t need a planner. After all, you’re not juggling work meetings, deadlines, and appointments like you would in an office job, right? However, I believe that having a planner can be incredibly helpful for stay-at-home moms, too. Here are a few reasons why:
- Helps you stay organized: Even if you’re not working outside the home, you likely still have a lot of tasks and responsibilities to manage as a stay-at-home mom. A planner can help you keep track of everything from doctor’s appointments to playdates to household chores.
- Keeps you on track: Having a planner can help you stay accountable to your goals and commitments. Whether you’re trying to establish a workout routine or plan more quality time with your kids, a planner can help you stay on track and make progress.
- Reduces stress: When you have a lot going on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Having a planner can help you feel more in control of your day and reduce anxiety around missed appointments or forgotten tasks.
- Provides a sense of accomplishment: Checking things off your to-do list can be incredibly satisfying, and having a planner can help you keep track of all the little wins throughout the day.
Of course, everyone’s needs are different, and you may find that a planner doesn’t work for you. However, I believe it’s worth giving it a try and seeing if it helps you stay organized and productive as a stay-at-home mom.
Do You Need To Wake Up Earlier Than The Kids As A Stay At Home Mom?
As a stay-at-home mom, you might wonder whether you need to wake up earlier than your kids to get things done. The answer is: it depends.
Waking up earlier than your kids can have its advantages. It can give you some much-needed quiet time to focus on yourself or tackle tasks before the chaos of the day begins. For example, you might use this time to meditate, exercise, or work on a personal project. You might also use this time to get a head start on household tasks, like making breakfast or doing laundry, so you can focus more on your kids during the day.
However, waking up earlier than your kids isn’t always necessary or feasible. If you’re up all night with a newborn or have multiple young children with different sleep schedules, it might be more important for you to prioritize getting enough sleep than waking up early. It’s also important to consider your own personal preferences and energy levels. If you’re not a morning person, waking up early might not be the best option for you.
Ultimately, the decision to wake up earlier than your kids is up to you. If you find that it helps you feel more productive and in control of your day, go for it. But if it doesn’t work for you, don’t feel like you’re not doing enough as a stay-at-home mom. It’s all about finding what works best for you and your family.
FAQ
How can a stay at home mom get it all done?
As a stay-at-home mom, it can sometimes feel like there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done. However, with some planning and prioritizing, it’s possible to make the most of your time and tackle your to-do list. Here are some tips for how you can get it all done as a stay-at-home mom:
- Make a schedule: Creating a schedule can help you stay on track and make the most of your time. Block out time for household tasks, like cleaning and cooking, as well as time for activities with your kids and personal time for yourself.
- Prioritize your tasks: Decide which tasks are most important and tackle those first. For example, if you have a doctor’s appointment in the morning, make sure you schedule your other tasks around that. If you have a deadline for a personal project, prioritize working on that over other less important tasks.
- Involve your kids: Depending on their age, your kids might be able to help with certain tasks around the house. This can not only help you get things done more quickly but also teach your kids valuable skills and responsibility.
- Take breaks: It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout and recharge your energy. Schedule time for yourself to relax, read a book, or do something else you enjoy.
- Don’t try to do it all: It’s important to recognize that you can’t do everything all the time. It’s okay to ask for help from your partner, family, or friends, or to hire a babysitter or house cleaner if you need some extra support.
By following these tips and finding a system that works for you, you can manage your time more effectively as a stay-at-home mom and get more done throughout the day.
Do you put stay at home mom on your resume?
As a stay-at-home mom, you may wonder whether you should include this on your resume. The answer is: it depends.
If you’ve been out of the workforce for a significant amount of time and are now looking to re-enter, including your time as a stay-at-home mom on your resume can be beneficial. It shows that you have transferable skills, like time management, organization, and multitasking, which are highly valued by employers. It also demonstrates that you were able to take on a challenging and important role while out of the workforce.
However, if you’ve only been out of the workforce for a short time, or your time as a stay-at-home mom isn’t directly relevant to the position you’re applying for, you may choose to leave it off your resume. Instead, focus on highlighting your previous work experience and skills that are relevant to the job.
If you do decide to include your time as a stay-at-home mom on your resume, make sure to highlight the skills you developed during that time. For example, you might mention how you organized and managed your household, balanced multiple tasks and responsibilities, and communicated effectively with family members.
How can a stay-at-home mom be more efficient?
As a stay-at-home mom, finding ways to be more efficient with your time can help you get more done and reduce stress. Here are some tips for being more efficient:
- Make a schedule: Creating a schedule can help you stay organized and on track. Block out time for household tasks, like cleaning and cooking, as well as time for activities with your kids and personal time for yourself.
- Prioritize your tasks: Decide which tasks are most important and tackle those first. This will help you make the most of your time and ensure that you’re focusing on the things that really matter.
- Involve your kids: Depending on their age, your kids might be able to help with certain tasks around the house. This can not only help you get things done more quickly but also teach your kids valuable skills and responsibility.
- Use technology: There are a variety of apps and tools that can help you stay organized and manage your time more effectively. For example, you might use a meal planning app to help plan your weekly meals or a time-tracking app to monitor how much time you’re spending on different tasks.
- Take breaks: It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout and recharge your energy. Schedule time for yourself to relax, read a book, or do something else you enjoy.
- Don’t try to do it all: It’s important to recognize that you can’t do everything all the time. It’s okay to ask for help from your partner, family, or friends, or to hire a babysitter or house cleaner if you need some extra support.
By following these tips and finding a system that works for you, you can become more efficient as a stay-at-home mom and make the most of your time. Remember to prioritize self-care and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Print This Positive Parenting Guidebook – The 5 Pillars Of Positive Parenting
Listen… parenting with connection and positivity has been seen as permissive and lazy parenting BUT this is totally not the case.
I am a mom of 3 beautiful children and I’ve spent HOURS, DAYS, MONTHS, and YEARS researching this topic and seriously, it is my favorite way to parent.
Way better than what I grew up with – which was A LOT of yelling, spanking and frankly, neglect.
This little guidebook is a golden nugget that you can have for free – and print it out! Put it on the fridge, refer to it often. It’s really a great tool for kids of all ages.
Download Your Free Printout
- Download the guidebook. You’ll get the printable, plus join hundreds parents who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas! (Sometimes I’ll promote a parenting program, but only the best ones that are in the positive parenting community, I promise.)
- Print. Print out the guidebook!
- Place it where you can see it. There is a lot of great information in this guidebook, even though it’s small. It’s power packed full of great stuff so put it where you can refer to it often.
