As much as I relish the days at home with my daughters, there are plenty of aspects of parenthood I could do without. Take laundry, for example. Or planning and preparing meals. Or cleaning that perennial pile of crumbs that appears under my youngest’s chair after every meal. And yet, to be good caregivers for our children, these are precisely the routine tasks my husband and I must take on—even as doing so steals moments from snuggling our preschooler beneath a blanket fort, or sprinting beside our third grader as she sails through the neighborhood on her scooter.
Of course, it’s fair to say that each and every one of us would welcome a shortcut or two if it meant more time to spend on the stuff that really matters. That’s why we’ve compiled 15 strategies and schedules that parents in the Mother Untitled community swear by to streamline their days and find a greater sense of ease and simplicity during this busy season of life. Here are shortcuts to a simpler life at home with the kids.
1. Give Everyone a Task
On Sunday mornings we have a family meeting over breakfast. Our primary goal is to make the upcoming week run more smoothly as a team. We talk about what needs to be done each night, like washing school uniforms, making sure the cat is fed, tidying up the play area, and prepping lunch for the next day. Then, we divvy up tasks for the week and tackle it together. I’ll be honest and say my kids are not always invested, so bribing them with a small prize helps (and I’m not ashamed to say so!). - Lynn B., mom of three
2. Establish Micro-Routines
It’s always the tiny disruptions that end up throwing our days off—like forgetting to freeze a lunch bag the night before or neglecting to charge an iPad for school. As we’re walking in the door after school pickup, I give my son the same three tasks every afternoon: empty your lunch bag, put it in the freezer, put your water bottle in the dishwasher. These routines in miniature make such a difference in the next day running smoothly and take the onus off of me to remember absolutely everything for everyone! - Jenna S., mom of two
3. Schedule Meals
We plan the same meals every week: chicken and veggie bowls on Monday, taco Tuesday, pasta Wednesday, etc. I love it. Someday, I’ll be really into making dinners with fancy ingredients… but definitely not right now! - Holly B., mom of three
4. Lean Into Leftovers
I cook with enough leftovers to make lunch the next day. I also cook modular–separate and simple dishes so that they keep and I can remix them for other things. I mostly lean on dumplings and pasta. - Mimi C., mom of two
5. Be Realistic
I’m constantly reminding myself that there are limited hours in the day, so you have to choose what to focus on at any given time. - Sweta D., mom of two
6. Take Turns
My husband and I each have our designated tasks that we look after when it comes to parenting and work, (our strengths, as we often call them). He looks after wake-up, morning snacks, diaper changes, and more while I sleep in. Once I’m up, I take over while he gets ready and walks the dog. - Elisa M., mom of two
7. Assign Kitchen Duty
I hate waking up to a sink full of dirty dishes and crumbs on the floor from dinner. To make sure we (usually) start the day with a clean kitchen, our kids trade off on kitchen duty where they are required to load the dishwasher, wipe the counters, and vacuum after dinner one night each week. My 12-year-old has cleanup every Monday, for example, and my partner and I trade off helping out the youngest on Fridays. - Leah K., mom of four
FAQs
Keep Your Stay at Home Mom Schedule Simple
By setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and making sure to schedule some fun activities into your routine, you'll be able to create a schedule that allows you plenty of freedom while still being productive and efficient with your day-to-day activities.
What is a typical day for a stay-at-home mom? ›
A SAHM's duties include childcare, housework, meal prep, and errands. Typically, these tasks can total 10-12 hours daily, not including night duties like caring for a sick child or a baby. It's crucial to recognize that a SAHM's work is diverse and extends beyond regular “working hours.”
What does a stay at home mum do all day? ›
SAHMs are often in charge of appointments, grocery shopping, home repairs and more, ensuring everything around the house is handled. Cooking and cleaning. Because they're home most of the day, SAHMs often clean the house and cook the meals. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and all the snacks.
What is a stay at home mom duties? ›
This may include taking kids to and from school, after-school activities, and weekend sports. A SAHM may also schedule and coordinate medical and other appointments for the family. Housework. Cooking meals, cleaning, laundry, house maintenance, and grocery shopping are typically seen as stay-at-home tasks.
How to fill your days as a stay-at-home mum? ›
What do stay-at-home moms do all day?
- Nurture, care for and connect with her children.
- Model and support her children with emotional regulation.
- Teach important life skills.
- Run errands.
- Prep and create meals.
- Plan adventures.
- Connect with and serve her community.
- Manage home by keeping up with laundry, cleaning and organizing.
What a stay at home mom should make? ›
For example, Insure.com figures the wage a mom should earn for the 18 or so jobs she must tackle throughout the day is $126,725 in 2022, which is 9.2% higher than last year's findings of $116,022. And according to Salary.com's Annual Mom Salary Survey from May 2021, moms should be paid even more — $184,820.
What is the stay-at-home mom syndrome? ›
Stay-at-home-moms often experience depression due to ongoing parenting and household duties, isolation, and lack of support. Stay-at-home moms also tend to carry the family's mental load. They can feel unseen and misunderstood because of the perception that they don't work or just get to play with the kids all day.
What are the negative effects of stay-at-home mom? ›
Motherhood comes with joys as well as challenges. Many parents who choose to stay at home with their children may experience feelings of isolation, loneliness, loss of identity, and feelings of sadness that may feel like depression.
What is the fancy way to say stay-at-home mom? ›
#1: Homemaker
It reflects the responsibilities of managing a household, which often include budgeting, scheduling, meal planning, and organization.
Are stay home moms happier? ›
The results revealed that moms who work part-time or full-time outside of the home during their child's infancy and toddler years were happier and had stronger feelings of well-being than stay-at-home moms. Additionally, moms who worked outside of the home were healthier and happier overall.
15 Strategies That Make Life Easier for Stay-At-Home Moms
- Give Everyone a Task. On Sunday mornings we have a family meeting over breakfast. ...
- Establish Micro-Routines. ...
- Schedule Meals. ...
- Lean Into Leftovers. ...
- Be Realistic. ...
- Take Turns. ...
- Assign Kitchen Duty. ...
- Motivate Them Right.
How do I manage my time as a stay-at-home mom? ›
Utilize time management tools: Tools like planners, calendars, and apps can help you keep track of your tasks and manage your time more efficiently. Prioritize tasks: Not all tasks are equal. Prioritize your tasks based on their importance and urgency. Delegate tasks: You don't have to do everything yourself.
How do I stick to my schedule when working from home? ›
Make a Schedule and Set Alarms
It may seem excessive, but when I had trouble sticking to a schedule at home, I set a number of alarms to structure my day. Take a break to work out at 10:30, eat lunch at noon, stop working at 3, and so on. Once you've set those alarms, take those breaks seriously.
How to keep yourself busy as a stay-at-home mom? ›
A Productive Stay at Home Mom has Systems and Routines
- Wake Up Before the Kids. ...
- Create a Productive Morning and Evening Routine. ...
- Implement a Weekly Reset. ...
- Follow a Daily Routine (but be flexible) ...
- Plan Efficiently and Time Block. ...
- Set Realistic Goals and Prioritize What Matters. ...
- Declutter and Organize Your Home.
How to fill your days as a stay at home mum? ›
What do stay-at-home moms do all day?
- Nurture, care for and connect with her children.
- Model and support her children with emotional regulation.
- Teach important life skills.
- Run errands.
- Prep and create meals.
- Plan adventures.
- Connect with and serve her community.
- Manage home by keeping up with laundry, cleaning and organizing.