If you’re a mom who stays at home with her kids, you need to make a schedule. Trust me – it’s going to be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made! On top of managing the house, keeping it clean, making healthy meals, and finding a little time for yourself, the responsibility of staying home is often overwhelming. So that’s where this stay-at-home mom schedule comes in!
Most people don’t understand how busy stay-at-home moms are. Kids need constant supervision and endless entertainment on top of everything else. A stay-at-home mom schedule is going to help you take care of all your household duties while also ensuring that your child’s needs are met.
A schedule can keep you organized and help make sure you don’t overdo yourself and experience burnout (we’ve all been there).
Plus, I bet you will find your kids are a lot more manageable as they learn the schedule too. I’m going to show you a great sample for a stay-at-home mom schedule, but remember to make it your own and to keep it flexible – this really is the key to success.
Whether you’re homeschooling, the kids are home for summer break, or you have little ones who aren’t ready to spend the day away, here’s how you can make a rocking schedule and stick to it!
Tips For Making A Stay-At-Home Mom Schedule
In order to make your schedule work for you, it needs to be customized to suit your needs. Consider these tips while making up your schedule:
1) Be Flexible
No matter how much you plan ahead, things are going to change. And that’s okay! Some days a temper tantrum is going to last an hour and take up reading time. Other times, you’re having so much fun at the park that you decide to stay longer than usual.
Remember that your stay-at-home schedule is only a guideline, so don’t worry about sticking to the exact times. Be flexible with your schedule and adjust it as needed.
Also, keep in mind that every day is also going to look slightly different than the last. You won’t have the same exact schedule every day. Of course, some things are going to be consistent, such as a morning and bedtime routine, but the middle of the day won’t always flow the same way.
For instance, a weekend will look different than a weekday, a day with appointments will look different than a day with a clear schedule, etc.
2) Prioritize
This may be the most important piece of advice for crafting a stay-at-home mom schedule: Every week, you should be listing your priorities. This can be anything from attending your monthly book club meeting to grocery shopping, from cleaning the house to getting your nails done. Try to only choose a couple of priorities for each day.
You also want to prioritize your children’s tasks. These can be things you help them with, such as picking them up from practice or reading a story together, or reminding them to do things on their own such as homework or free playtime.
Also, consider what times work best. Whenever you’re the most productive, you want to schedule your highest priorities within that time frame. It’s okay to love working in the evenings and be a little groggy in the mornings if that’s more your jam!
Start off with your harder tasks first during this productive time. As you lose energy, you will have gotten what’s more difficult out of the way already.
3) Plan Ahead
Since every day is going to look different, it’s always a good idea to plan out the whole week in advance. Pick a day of the week (typically Sunday) when things are more relaxed, and take 20 minutes to map out what the upcoming week is going to look like.
Make sure to get all your priorities listed out and added to the calendar. Try to divvy them up throughout the week so that one day isn’t too overwhelming with important or must-do tasks.
4) Make Time For Yourself
Finding moments alone can be difficult throughout the day, so multi-tasking will become your best friend. Plan to take care of some things around the house while your child is busy nearby. For example, while they color, you might be able to do the dishes and tidy up the kitchen.
However, don’t always use those opportunities just for housework – sprinkle in something you enjoy! We all need those little things to keep us going, so whether it’s scrolling through Pinterest or enjoying a hot cup of coffee while your child is occupied, make room for those moments.
Leave heavier tasks or ones that require your full attention for moments when you’re alone, like nap time or before the kids wake up.
Daily Schedule Template For Stay-At-Home Moms
Here is an example of how you could format your day. Remember to adjust the times and activities as necessary to make it work for you and your family. Every day will be different, so feel free to change it up on the regular.
6:00 AM – Wake Up
If you can, wake up before your kids do. This gives you some time to toss a load of laundry in the hamper, do some journaling, read the morning headlines, or do whatever you need to do to start the day.
Starting off with a quiet moment for yourself will also make the day appear less frantic as you’ve already grounded yourself and given time for your own priorities.
7:00 AM – Kids Wake Up
Time to wake up the little ones! Start off the same every day to help get them into a routine. Get dressed, make beds, brush hair, and get them ready to conquer the day.
7:30 AM – Breakfast
Breakfast – the meal that should never be skipped no matter how busy you are. It’s always a good idea to have breakfast as a family. There, you can set expectations for the day and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Clean up right away, so nothing sits for you to deal with later. While you’re busy doing dishes, this is a good time for your child to watch cartoons, color, read, or do other free play activities.
8:30 AM – Morning Activities
While the brain is nice and energized and the belly is full, take this time to do some educational activities.
Print out some worksheets (I have plenty in my shop for kids in preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade) and go through the activities together. Working on math and reading is always a good way to start the day and to get the gears going.
10:00 AM – Snack
Scheduling in snacks helps to avoid your kids asking for food all the time. They know exactly when they can have a little bite to eat, and it helps to break up activities for those with short attention spans.
10:30 AM – Morning Activities Continued
Continue on with your morning activities. Besides worksheets, you can also do flashcards, picture books, coloring, sensory games, language learning, and other activities you and your child enjoy together.
Alternatively, this is a great opportunity to get errands done or to do an activity out of the house such as the library, swimming at the pool, grocery shopping, etc.
12:00 PM – Lunch
Time for lunch! It’s always a good rule of thumb to keep lunchtime simple and to save the more complicated meals for dinner.
12:30 PM – Craft Time
After lunch, do some more hands-on activities. Crafts are a fun way to spend the afternoon, especially during bad weather. You don’t have to come up with a craft every day. Instead, feel free to do activities such as blocks, Legos, dolls, chalk, etc.
This is also a window where you can get some chores done around the house. Getting your kids involved in taking care of the home at a young age makes it easier to give them more responsibilities as they get older.
2:30 PM – Nap Time
Set your little ones down for a nap and allot this time to get things done for yourself – whether that’s doing things around the house or something you enjoy! Answer emails, clean up the house, do some online shopping, or read your favorite book. Savor this quiet moment!
3:30 PM – Outside Time/Snack
Every day, no matter the weather, it’s always a good idea to get outside. This can be something like going for a quick walk or playing at the park or a more low-key activity like hanging out in the backyard or being out in the garden.
5:00 PM – Dinner Time
If your kids are old enough, encourage them to help you get dinner ready. Or, if they are very young and cause too much of a ruckus, allow them free playtime while you get dinner ready.
6:00 PM – Wind Down Time
This is a great time to be together as a family. Play board games, do puzzles, watch a movie, or do whatever else you love to do together! Alternatively, this can be the time of day you all take a moment to yourselves.
7:00 – Bedtime Routine
Run the bath, brush teeth, get the kids in bed, read a bedtime story, and say goodnight.
8:00 – Your Time!
Huzzah, the day is over! Take this time to be alone with your partner, get some work done, fold that laundry in peace, and just take a moment for yourself.
Next thing you know, you’ll be starting this stay-at-home mom schedule all over again!
More Schedule and Stay at Home Mom Resources
- 11 Habits of Happy Stay at Home Moms
- 10 Daily Habits to Help you Rock Being a Stay at Home Mom
- 5-Steps to Control Your Anger with Kids & Stay Calm
- 7 Tips for Perfecting Your Child’s Bedtime Routine & Ending Night Struggles
- 11 Helpful Charts for Kids: Chores, Reward & Daily Routines to Help Kids Thrive
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