Now that you’re a stay-at-home mom, you have all the time in the world to get things done, right? Not so fast. Between kids, chores and errands to run, there isn’t a minute to spare. In fact, it’s easy to let the things that you value slip away. “Many stay-at-home moms find the day goes by faster because most moms are not prepared for the day,” says Lori Bruhns, a productivity expert and mentor.
Other moms go to alternate extremes and create an overbooked and set-in-stone stay-at-home mom schedule. “Some people create such a rigid schedule, they feel frustrated when it doesn’t go as planned,” says Jill Farmer, the author of “There’s Not Enough Time … and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves.” And with kids, it hardly ever goes as planned. Instead, here’s how to create a balanced stay-at-home mom schedule that meets your entire family’s needs.
Tips for Creating a Schedule That Works For You
- Know your child’s routine and yourself
Since all kids are on different schedules, the first thing you need to do is take a good look at your child’s routine, such as bedtime, wake-up time and naps. Then, evaluate your own ebb and flow energy level. “Moms need to know when they have the most energy,” says Bruhns. For example, if you find yourself more productive in the morning, that’s the time to schedule your most high-priority tasks.
- Don’t over-schedule yourself
“When scheduling your calendar, don’t pack every minute,” says Farmer. “Leave 50 percent of the time open for unexpected things to come up.” Plug specific activities into your calendar, such as doctor’s appointments and playgroups. Then, leave a buffer for the unforeseen.
- Be flexible
With kids, nothing on your schedule can be set in stone. Instead of letting a temper tantrum or meltdown throw a wrench in your schedule, accept the fact that some days aren’t going to go as planned. Let it go and get back on track the following day.
Time-Saving Solutions
- Group similar tasks together
“I’m a big fan of ‘batching,’ a productivity term for grouping similar tasks together,” says Farmer. When you’re geared up to do a task and focused on what it takes to get it done, it’s easier to do a few of the same tasks at once. For instance, cook several dinner entrees in one afternoon and freeze the extras.
- Knock out little tasks in 20 minutes
Farmer also recommends making a list of all those tasks that tend to pile up, but realistically only take two minutes of your time, such as writing a check to the plumber. Then, set a timer and bang them all out in 20 minutes.
- Think ahead
“Moms who fly by the seat of their pants tend to do things in an unproductive way,” says Bruhns. Instead, think about what has to be done well in advance. For example, before bed, take the time to pack lunches, set out breakfast plates and plan dinner for the following night.
Sample Schedule
All schedules look different, but here’s an example of a routine for a mom of young children. You can tweak it to fit your needs.
- 6:30 a.m.
Get up, shower and get dressed.
- 7:00 a.m.
Start breakfast and tackle a few quick household chores (like a load of laundry).
- 7:30 a.m.
Kids wake up and eat breakfast.
- 8:30 a.m.
Clean up kitchen and get kids dressed.
- 9:00 a.m.
Play time with the kids.
- 10:00 a.m.
Snack time.
- 10:30 a.m.
Structured activity (such as coloring or puzzles) for the kids while mom tackles some household chores.
- 12:00 p.m.
Eat lunch.
- 1:30 p.m.
Nap time and downtime for mom (read a book or watch a TV show or movie).
- 2:30 p.m.
Snack time.
- 3:00 p.m.
Play time with the kids inside or out.
- 4:30 p.m.
Catch up on some quick household chores.
- 5:00 p.m.
Begin dinner preparations.
- 6:00 p.m.
Eat dinner.
- 7:00 p.m.
Bath time.
- 7:30 p.m.
Stories and bedtime.
- 8:00 p.m.
Prep lunches, backpacks, etc. for the following day.
- 9:00 p.m.
Downtime and decompress from the day.
- 10:30 p.m.
Lights out for mom.
Creating the perfect stay-at-home mom schedule isn’t rocket science, but it does require some planning and forethought.
Rebecca Desfosse is a freelance writer specializing in parenting and family topics.
