Let’s talk about something that might sound a bit mundane but is absolutely crucial for maintaining our sanity and productivity: creating a stay-at-home mom schedule and routine.
I know, I know, life with little ones can be unpredictable, but trust me, having some structure in place can make all the difference in the world.
Without some sort of overall schedule and routine throughout the day, your days can begin to feel chaotic and unproductive, which can lead to stress and overwhelm. And trust me, if you’re feeling the stress, your kids are feeling that stress as well.
We hear all the time how kids thrive on consistency and routines. They need some sort of predictability in their little lives.
Think about it. Kids have very little control over their day. So offering them a predictable routine allows them to know ahead of time what’s happening, offering them some stability.
In this post, you will receive 10 sample schedules/routines that you can use and adapt to fit your family’s needs. But first let’s talk more about why it’s so important to have an overall schedule and routines in place.
Why You Need a Stay-at-Home Mom Schedule
Picture this: it’s 8 a.m., you’re sipping your first cup of coffee, and suddenly it hits you – the day is wide open, and you have no idea where to start. Cue the overwhelm and chaos. Your kids emerge from their rooms and they are all over the place doing anything and everything. You have no plan for the day, so you just go with the flow.
But the flow becomes a stressful day of trying to figure out last-minute entertainment plans, randomly tidying the house while making no actual progress, and frantically figuring out what to feed these people.
Sound familiar? That’s precisely why having a schedule is a game-changer.
A schedule not only helps you manage your time efficiently but also provides a sense of direction and purpose. It allows you to prioritize tasks, carve out time for yourself, and ensure that nothing important slips through the cracks.
Plus, as said before, kids thrive on routine, so having a structured day can benefit the whole family.
As stay-at-home moms, it’s tempting to try to go with the flow. We don’t have a boss telling us when to do things, and what to do. We are completely in control of how we run our day. And on one end, that can feel liberating and exciting.
But, without some structure, that feeling of liberation can quickly turn to chaos.
Whatever schedule you come up with for yourself does not need to be strict and rigid. It shouldn’t be. Speaking from experience, strict schedules actually add more stress to the day. They’re tough to stick to and can steal from the sense of peace and freedom in your home.
Simply creating a loose schedule is best. A loose, flexible schedule with routines positioned throughout the day is a recipe for a productive and peaceful day. Plus, with a more relaxed schedule, you allow room for spontaneity.
Essentially, having a schedule and routine adds purpose to each day, leaving you feeling more productive and accomplished, and gives your children comfort in knowing what to expect.
Stay-at-Home Mom Schedule vs Stay-at-Home Mom Routine
Before we dive into templates and sample schedules, let’s clarify something: the difference between a schedule and a routine.
A schedule is more like a timetable, outlining specific activities and tasks at set times throughout the day. On the other hand, a routine is a series of habits and rituals that you follow consistently, regardless of the time.
Think of your schedule as the skeleton of your day, a road map with designated slots for different activities, while your routines fill in the gaps, providing stability and predictability. Both are equally important and complement each other beautifully.
A schedule should guide the overall flow of the day. While routines are more specific steps followed in segments throughout the day.
A few quick tips/reminders before we dive into some sample schedules and routines:
- Do not overpack your schedule or make it too strict. If activities are scheduled every 30 minutes, your life will begin to feel robotic. This may work for some, but the majority of us would do better with something more flexible and relaxed.
- Use your schedule as a guide. A schedule helps to guide you through the day. But you don’t have to adhere perfectly to the specific times for every activity. Just having general times for things can help give your day structure.
- Schedules and routines should work for your family, not against them. If you’re finding the that schedules and routines you have in place are causing more stress than helping, it might be time to change things up.
Sample 1: Stay-at-Home Mom Daily Schedule Template
Now, let’s get practical. Here’s a simple daily schedule template to get you started. This is SAMPLE 1:
- 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM: Wake Up & Morning Routine
- 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Breakfast & Family Time
- 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Morning Activities (Playtime, Crafts, Outdoor Play)
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Errands/Outings (Grocery Shopping, Park, Library)
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunchtime & Cleanup
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Naptime/Independent Play/Quiet Time
- 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Afternoon Activities (Games, Learning Activities, Chores)
- 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Dinner Prep & Family Time
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Dinner & Cleanup
- 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Bedtime Routine
- 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Relaxation/Personal Time
This is a great template to start with. The schedule is not too tight or rigid, leaving some wiggle room to breathe. Feel free to adjust the timings and activities based on your family’s needs and preferences.
Sample 2: Stay-at-Home Mom Daily Schedule Template
Below is another sample stay-at-home mom schedule with a later start time. This is SAMPE 2:
- 7:00 AM – Rise early, Bible & pray, laundry, and blog
- 8:00 AM – Kids wake, morning routine
- 9:30 AM – Breakfast, homeschool, free play, read, outings, snack, misc.
- 1:00 PM – Lunch
- 2:00/3:00 PM – Toddler’s nap, preschooler’s screen time, independent play
- 4:30 PM – Second snack, dinner prep
- 6:00 PM – Dinner, followed by clean up and family time
- 8:15 PM – Last snack for kids, start bedtime routine
- 9:00 PM – Kids bedtime, Adult time and personal time
- 11:00 PM – Mommy bedtime
Just remember, these schedules are meant to be guides, not strict time schedules.
For example, you’ll see that breakfast starts at 9:30 am. Well, you might not always start breakfast at 9:30 am. And that’s okay. Don’t feel like you have to wake your kids up just so they can eat when the schedule says.
This is another reason why routines are everything. Even when we don’t do certain activities at exactly the same time every day, we still know the routine to follow when it’s time. Whether we start at 9 or 10, we know what steps to follow.
Sample 3: Stay-at-Home Mom Weekly Schedule Template
While daily schedules are essential, having a weekly overview can help you plan for recurring tasks and activities. Here’s a sample weekly schedule. This is SAMPLE 3:
- Monday: Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping
- Tuesday: Playdate/Outing
- Wednesday: Household Chores (Laundry, Cleaning, Organizing)
- Thursday: Creative Activities (Art, Baking, DIY Projects)
- Friday: Family Movie Night/Game Night
- Saturday: Outdoor Adventure (Hiking, Picnic, Beach)
- Sunday: Rest & Relaxation
Of course, you can mix and match activities to keep things interesting!
Sample 4: Stay-at-Home Mom Weekly Schedule Template
Here is another sample weekly schedule option.
- Monday: Pajama Day
- Tuesday: Playdate/Outing
- Wednesday: Messy Play Day (Play-Doh, Water beads, Sand, etc.)
- Thursday: Baking Day
- Friday: Family Movie Night/Game Night
- Saturday: Visit Friends and Family
- Sunday: Church, Rest & Relaxation
Sample 5: Daily Schedule for Stay-at-Home Mom with Toddler
If you have a toddler in tow, your schedule might look a bit different. Here’s a tweaked version to accommodate your little explorer:
- 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM: Wake Up & Morning Routine
- 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Breakfast & Interactive Play
- 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Outdoor Play/Exploration
- 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Snack Time & Storytime
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Lunchtime & Cleanup
- 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Naptime/Independent Play
- 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Afternoon Adventure/Playdate
- 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Dinner Prep & Family Time
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner & Cleanup
- 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Bedtime Routine
If you like a later start to your day, simply shift the time to be more fitting for your family.
Stay-at-Home Mom Routine Ideas
Looking for some routine inspiration? Are you having a hard time figuring out how to incorporate routines into your daily rhythm? Well, developing routines around the different times of day can be a good place to start.
Simply start by creating a morning routine, afternoon routine, and evening routine. Regardless of what time you actually wake up, you’d still follow the same steps. Here’s a sample:
Sample 6: Daily SAHM Routine
- Morning Routine:
- Wake early for mommy morning devotion time, blog, get ready for the day
- Eat breakfast, family devotion, follow up clean-up, and dance party
- Homeschool, outing/playdate, free play
- Afternoon Routine:
- Eat lunch, followed by cleaning up and reading books
- Toddler goes down for nap, preschooler has screen time, independent play, mommy one-on-one time
- Toddler wakes for nap, second snack, free play, dinner prep
- Evening Routine:
- Eat dinner, then clean up after
- Family movie or game, quality time
- Bath time, read books, final screen time
- Kids bed time
- Adult time, final tidy for the night, relaxation
Sample Stay-at-Home Mom Cleaning Routine
Keeping a clean and tidy home can feel like a never-ending task, but with a solid cleaning schedule and routine, you can stay on top of it all. Here’s a sample daily cleaning routine:
Sample 7: Daily Cleaning Routine
- Daily Cleaning Routine:
- Kitchen – Sweep, wipe counters and table, clean dishes
- Bathrooms – Quick clean toilets, sinks, and mirrors
- Laundry – Wash, dry, and fold at least one load of laundry
- House Tidy – Spend a few minutes tidying main living spaces
Sample 8: Weekly Cleaning Schedule:
You can use the following schedule for your overall weekly cleaning schedule.
- Weekly Cleaning Schedule:
- Monday – Clean out fridge, take trash out
- Tuesday – Vacuum, Grocery Planning/Shopping
- Wednesday – Go through mail, handle bills, Declutter/Projects
- Thursday – Change bed sheets, Mop
- Saturday – Deep clean bathrooms
- Sunday – Rest Day
Sample Stay-at-Home Mom Morning Routine
Another great routine to have is one just for yourself minus the kids and husband. Start your day off right with a nourishing morning routine:
Sample 9: SAHM Morning Routine
- Wake Up: Rise early to have some quiet time before the chaos begins.
- Hydration: Drink a glass of water to rehydrate your body.
- Exercise: Stretch or do a quick workout to get your blood flowing.
- Self-Care: Take a few moments for yourself – whether it’s journaling, reading, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee in peace.
Christian Stay-at-Home Mom Routine
For those of us who draw strength from our faith, integrating spiritual practices into our daily routine is essential. Here’s how you can incorporate your Christian beliefs into your schedule:
Sample 10: Christian SAHM Routine
- Prayer Time: Dedicate moments throughout the day for prayer and reflection.
- Bible Study: Set aside time for studying Scripture and deepening your relationship with God. The early morning is great for this.
- Service: Look for opportunities to serve others, whether it’s volunteering in your community or helping a neighbor in need.
- Gratitude: Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness by counting your blessings and acknowledging God’s provision.
In Conclusion
Remember, these are just templates and suggestions. Feel free to tailor them to fit your unique circumstances and preferences. The key is to find a balance that works for you and your family.
It can be overwhelming to create a well-balanced schedule with appropriate routines that work for your family. It’s a big task.
So I hope this blog post was helpful. You can use the templates in this post to get started on creating or updating your on schedules and routines.
So there you have it, mama! Embrace the power of scheduling and routine, and watch as your days become more manageable and fulfilling. You’ve got this!
You are welcome to download printable versions of all these samples HERE! No email is required. And don’t forget to visit the Free Resources page on your way out!
