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
- 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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Courtney says
I love the idea of the class scheduler for the kids!
My schedule is under construction :) I only have one in pre school and two more who stay home with me all day. This summer I have gotten my work out schedule down pat and excited to implement school into our morning. It always seems to make the rest of the day flow easier.
Courtney
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