The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Productive Stay at Home Mom Schedule

If you’re a stay-at-home mom, you know that there are a million things to do on any given day. From taking care of the kids to keeping the house clean to trying to find some time for yourself; it can be easy to feel like you’re constantly running around with no clear purpose. But one thing that can help you feel more in control and less like you’re just winging it, is having a stay at home mom schedule that works even if the day doesn’t go as planned!

Don’t let your lack of a daily schedule plan make you feel like a bad mom: Decide what your stay at home mom schedule should be.

I know, I know. The last thing you want is to feel like you’re living your life according to someone else’s plan (even if it’s your own) when building out your stay at home mom schedule. But hear me out. Having a schedule doesn’t mean that you have to rigidly stick to it come hell or high water. In fact, one of the great things about having a schedule is that it gives you the flexibility to adjust as needed for quality time and daily priorities. Life with kids is unpredictable, after all, and there will be days (and sometimes even weeks) when your best-laid plans go completely out the window.

Typical Interruptions That Will Foil Your Stay at Home Mom Schedule

– Kids get sick and need attention

– Emergencies come up

– Child has an off day

– Toddler and a baby spontaneous playdate

– You need to run errands or take care of other last-minute household tasks

– Someone needs to be home with a sick kid

– You want to spend time with your partner or friends

– You don’t want to do the tasks on the schedule

– Stay at home mom depression

– Your spouse (or you) is sick

– A stubbed toe (no joke!)

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How ever life happens, having a schedule can help your stay at home mom morning stay sane on the days when things aren’t running smoothly. And even on the days when everything goes off the rails, having a home mom schedule can give you a sense of control and purpose that can be hard to come by as a parent whose job is at home. So, a productive stay at home mom schedule is not out of reach!

So, even on those days, having a loose schedule can help you feel like you’re still accomplishing something, even if it isn’t exactly like the schedule and the routines that you had planned. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed and like you’re just barely keeping your head above water, consider making a mom schedule for yourself anyway. It might just be the thing that helps you get your groove back or at least get you back on track where you last left off.

How to Make a Stay at Home Mom Schedule Template That Works for You

First things first: when it comes to making a stay at home mom routine, along with a schedule for toddler and baby time, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for me might not work for you, and vice versa. So before you start making any plans, sit down and give some thought to what would work best for you and your family. Here’s a sample stay at home mom schedule template for you to download for free, below.

Here are a few personal stay at home mom questions to ask yourself:

· How many hours do I want/need to spend on self-care each week? This could include things like working out, getting a manicure/pedicure, reading for pleasure, taking a yoga class, etc.

· How much time do I want/need to spend with my partner each week?

· How many hours per day am I willing/able to put towards housework?

· How much time do I want/need to spend interacting with my kids each day?

· What other commitments do I have (volunteer work, religious obligations, etc.)?

· Do I need to do activities as necessary to make one-on-one time?

· What at home mom morning routine do I need?

· How much time do I need to set aside time to do the things needed for my daily schedule?

· Does it benefit me to stay up later on Friday to work on tasks that I do daily?

· Do I need time away from the kids?

Once you have an idea of what your ideal week would look like, it’s time to start mapping out your routine down on a schedule – days and weeks. Again, there is no right or wrong way to do this. Some people prefer using a paper planner while others prefer using an app or website (like Cozi or Google Calendar). Find whatever system works best for you and then start plugging in your commitments.

Free Printable Stay at Home Mom Schedule

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Time Blocks Vs. Set Times

When it comes to scheduling your day, you’ll need to decide whether you want to use time blocks or set times. This is priceless because as a mom to help organize how I want my day structured, the time blocks are larger chunks of time that help dedicate specific activities (e.g., 9:00-11:00 is dedicated to housework). I personally prefer this. Whereas set times are, well, exactly what they sound like – you schedule specific activities for specific times (e.g., at 10:00 I will start vacuuming the living room).

Time Blocks and Set Times Have Their Pros and Cons

Time blocks can be more flexible, which is great when you have young kids who need your attention at unexpected moments or the kids wake up at different times. But time blocks can also make it harder to get things done if you have a hard time focusing or if you tend to procrastinate.

Set times, on the other hand, can help you stay on track and be more productive. But they can also be inflexible, which can be frustrating (not to mention stressful) when things don’t go as planned or work into your schedule.

So which one should you use?

Ultimately, it’s up to you. Try out both methods and see which one works better for you. You might find that you prefer using time blocks for some activities and set times for others. For starters, use time blocks during the week, and set times for the weekend where you can extend certain activities and if time goes over, it’s no big deal because weekends are more ‘laxed than weekdays.

Scheduling Tips for A Consistent Routine As a Mom

No matter what type of schedule you ultimately decide to create, there are a few general tips that can help you make it work for you and your family.

· Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day/week. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of being supermom and trying to do it all. But the truth is, you’re only human. And you can’t do everything. So be realistic about what you can reasonably accomplish in a day or week so that one day it’s like second nature.

· Don’t forget to schedule some downtime. Just because you’re home all day doesn’t mean that you don’t need some time for your own priorities. In fact, it’s even more important for moms to schedule in some downtime. Whether it’s an hour to yourself after the kids go to bed or a weekend afternoon spent relaxing with a good book, make sure you’re giving yourself some time to relax and recharge.

· Be flexible. As much as we might try, things don’t always go according to plan. And that’s okay. Don’t get too stressed out if your schedule gets thrown off every now and then. Just do the best you can and be flexible when things don’t go as planned.

· Get the whole family on board. If you want your schedule to work, you’ll need to get everyone in the family on board. Sit down with your partner and kids and explain your schedule to them and what mundane tasks that are not helping the family as a whole. Let them know what you’re expecting from them and why it’s important to stick to the schedule. If everyone is on the same page, it will be much easier to make your schedule work for a long time.

Creating a schedule for a stay at home mom can be a great way to help you manage your time and stay organized. But it’s not the only way. If you find that a schedule just isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to ditch it and try something else. The most important thing is to find what works best for you and your family.

Download your own weekly schedule template for stay at home mom.

Ultimate SAHM Planner to Master Your Week No Matter What Happens!

Where do I send your planner? 

Send It Here!

Sample Meal Schedule for Food Prep to Fit Them Into Your Day

One of the most challenging things for stay at home moms is finding time to cook those grassy, healthy meals. If you’re struggling to fit cooking into your schedule, here’s a suggested meal prep schedule that can help you get started.

Monday:

· Breakfast – Soaked oatmeal with organic fruit and sausage

· Lunch – Leftovers or boiled eggs and fermented veggies

· Dinner – Slow cooker dinner (e.g., grass-fed roast, broth-cooked rice & steamed broccoli)

Tuesday:

· Breakfast – Smoothie or yogurt

· Lunch – Egg frittata (include bacon or sausage, cheese, & finely chopped broccoli)

· Dinner – Baked Chicken & Mac n’ Cheese

Wednesday:

· Breakfast – Eggs and fried apples in ghee, and raw cream

· Lunch – Leftover from dinner or mason jar salad

· Dinner – Quinoa or Rice with herbs and butter, and meatballs

Thursday:

· Breakfast – Omelette with sauteed veggies (optional GF or traditional sourdough bread)

· Lunch – Roasted tomato soup with Sausage

· Dinner – Chili night! Leftover chili or turkey chili

Friday:

· Breakfast – Sourdough Pancakes! Whip up a batch of pancakes and freeze the leftovers for quick and easy breakfasts during the week.

· Lunch – Almond butter and banana sandwiches or quesadillas (homemade corn or sourdough tortillas)

· Dinner – Pizza night! Use a store-bought paleo crust or make your own. Top with grass-fed cheese, bacon, and your favorite grassy toppings.

Saturday:

· Breakfast – Sourdough Waffles! Make a double batch of waffles and freeze the leftovers.

· Lunch – Fish and salad

· Dinner – Leftovers or Large raw milk or yogurt smoothie

Sunday:

· Breakfast – Overnight oats with fruit & Chia Seeds

· Lunch – Chicken Wings & Sweet Potatoes & Pickled Veggies

· Dinner – Pork Roast, mashed potatoes, and green beans

By following a similar stay at home schedule for all my children, you too may find it’s easy to cook most of your meals ahead of time and have quick and easy lunches and dinners during the week. I do most of my week’s food prep on Saturday and maybe Sunday if need be. But I use the time block method and from 10 AM – 4 PM we cover breakfast, food prep (like 3-4 make-ahead-and-freeze meals) lunch, and clean up. Dinner is usually some of the meal-prepped food.

And on those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking, you can always grab something from the freezer or have a quick fulfilling protein smoothie.

Of course, this is just a suggested schedule. Feel free to mix things up and make adjustments as needed. The most important thing is to find what works best for you and your family…that will stick at least 80% of the time. Perfection is not necessary.

With a little bit of planning and some effort, you can create a schedule that works for you and your family. Just remember to be flexible, get everyone on board, and find what works best for you. With a little bit of umpf, you can make it work!

Possible Stay at Home Mom Schedule Fail

Of course, even the most well-planned schedule won’t always go according to plan. And that’s OK! Like I said before, life with kids is unpredictable and there will be days when everything falls apart no matter how carefully you’ve planned. On those days (or weeks), don’t beat yourself up—just pick yourself up and start again tomorrow. After all, we’re all doing the best we can with what we’ve got!

Making a daily or weekly schedule can help bring some structure into your life as stay at home moms. But finding what works best for you and your family is key—don’t try to force yourself into someone else’s mold! And remember: even on the days when everything goes off the rails, don’t forget that YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!

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