How to Create Schedules as a Stay at Home Mom

Updated on October 18, 2024

How to Create Schedules to Stay Organized. Learn how to create a schedule to stay on top of your daily routine as a stay-at-home or work-from-home mom.

This post is part of the series Task Management Tuesday. Welcome to Week 3.

Okay, so I know I promised to share my cleaning schedule with you this week, but it is not going to happen. I still have not figured out what will work, but I promise I am working on it.

I do, however, have some of my schedules worked out.

These are a work in progress (as is life), but they do seem to be helping to create some order in our day.

I find this to be very challenging as a stay-at-home mom. There is no clocking in and out, and there are no definite times that things have to be done. I have really struggled with this ever since I started staying home with my firstborn.

Daily Lists

For me, the following are my morning and evening routines. These are the things I try to get done between taking care of my two kids, ages 4 and 1.

You will notice that I don’t have many specific times listed. This is because I try to get it all done while the kids are busy playing, and this can vary from day to day.

Morning Routine

This is our routine, which I follow until my daughter takes her nap. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, my son goes to preschool, so my daughter and I run errands while he is at school.

• Feed dog/fish/cats
• Clean the catboxes
• Make beds
• Start a load of laundry
• Empty and/or load the dishwasher
• Meal prep for dinner (defrost frozen items or pre-chop ingredients)
• Cleaning chores
• 9:00 – 10:00 Outside time (play or take a walk)

Naptime

My daughter usually takes a nap from around 12:00 to 2:30 each day. Since my son no longer takes naps, he has quiet time while she sleeps.

My son is allowed 2 hours of “screen time” per day that fits in during the play times, as shown below on the kid’s schedule. In an ideal world, I would love for him to watch less TV, but since he doesn’t take naps anymore, this keeps my sanity.

I try to complete a few quick chores and get some computer work for the blog during this time. It doesn’t happen every day.

• Put laundry in the dryer
• Start another load of laundry (if needed)
• Workout
• One-on-one time with my son
• Work

Afternoon/Evening Routine

• Between 4:00 – 4:30 – start dinner
• 5:00 Feed dog
• Eat dinner
• Dishes and wipe kitchen counters
• 15 minute pick up of house
• Quick sweep or vacuum of the main floors
• Fold laundry and put away
• Bath and bedtime for the kids
• 7:00 – after the kids go to bed
  • Finish any remaining household chores
  • Work on crafts/projects
  • Spend time with my husband

Weekly/Monthly List

 Following is a list of additional things I do on certain days of the week or month.

• Sunday
  • empty all trash cans and recycling
  • water outside shrubs and trees (summer – every week, winter – once a month)
  • update planner and calendar for the week ahead
• Monday
  • take trash and recycling to the curb
  • deep clean the dog’s bowls
  • refill the cat’s water fountain
  • clean and fill the hummingbird feeders (summer)
• Tuesday
  • Run errands
• Wednesday
  • plan weekly menu
  • write grocery list
• Thursday
  • grocery shopping
• Friday
  • balance bank account
  • pay bills
• Saturday
  • pick up dog poop in yard
  • sweep the front and back porch
  • water indoor plants

Monthly To Dos

• File papers
• Wipe down the table, chairs, and grill (outside)
• Deep cleaning – choose one thing a week off the list to complete

Kid’s Chart

I purchased a chart called a “Class Scheduler” at Dollar Tree for only $1. On it, I listed the schedule for my kids. This makes it easy for everyone to know what is happening next in the day.

I might make a nicer one someday, but for now, this is working fine (you write on it with a dry-erase marker).

I could draw the big and little hands on the blank clocks and the numbers for my son. I might try to add some clip art pictures for him since he can’t read yet, but again, this is working for now.

What do your routines look like?

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