This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information. Prices may have changed since the writing of this article.
Why Create a Stay at Home Mom Schedule
Many moms say the hardest part of motherhood isn’t the physical work but the mental load—the constant need to remember and plan everything. You are essentially the CEO, chef, administrator, financial manager, and operations director of your household. It’s a job that demands more than just time; it demands mental energy, multitasking, and constant problem-solving. This is where a daily stay at home mom schedule becomes a game-changer, helping to reduce anxiety and streamline your busy SAHM mom life.
In this post, I’m sharing tips on creating a routine that you can stick to. I’m also sharing the routine that has been working wonders for me and my 18-month-old. I finally feel like I’m able to effortlessly “do it all” while still having fun and making memories in the process. I think I’ve cracked the code to this stay-at-home mom thing—at least for now!
What to Include in Your SAHM Schedule
The beauty of a stay-at-home mom schedule is that it can be as detailed or as simple as you want it to be. It all depends on your personality and what you can see yourself sticking to. Personally, I find that a detailed daily schedule helps to reduce my mental load, as it removes much of the decision-making from my day. Without a plan, I’m more likely to procrastinate or mindlessly scroll through social media instead of using my time wisely.
A well-laid-out daily routine helps me stay energized, ensures I accomplish everything I need or want to, and allows me to fully enjoy my stay-at-home mom life. Your routine can include self-care, fitness, activities with your kids, home projects, errands, side hustles, and more.
How to Create a Realistic SAHM Routine
Be Realistic
Remember, you only have 24 hours in a day, and much of that time will be spent with your kids. After all, the main job of being a stay-at-home mom is spending time with your children, raising them according to your values, and creating lasting memories. Consider this: 75% of the time you’ll spend with your kids happens before they turn 12, and 90% before they turn 18. Use this precious time wisely, and let everything else come second.
Plan for Outings
To avoid feeling cooped up, plan regular outings with your kids. These outings can be as simple as routine errands like grocery shopping or a trip to the post office. Free activities like visiting the library or going to the park are great too. Fresh air can do wonders for your mood and help reduce daily routine anxiety. Try to choose places where your toddler can move around freely or focus on a task—this not only keeps them engaged but also gives you a bit of a break.
Related: Check out this post for free and inexpensive hobby ideas. Many can be done with kids!
Include Your Toddler
Incorporate your toddler into your daily schedule by involving them in activities like fitness, self-care, and household chores. These practical life activities are not just chores to them; they are opportunities to practice fine and gross motor skills, build confidence, and gain a sense of purpose. Remember, at this age, chores and play are often synonymous.
Related: Check out this post for more on encouraging independence in your toddler.
Write It Down
Writing down your daily routine is a powerful tool to reduce the mental load. With a written plan, you can simply check your routine and get started, minimizing the decision-making fatigue that can lead to procrastination. For more time management tips, check out my previous posts, and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to receive a free time management toolkit!
Related: The 4 Best Time Management Strategies for Busy Moms
Ask for Help
Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s your spouse, family members, friends, or even community resources, reaching out for support can make all the difference in sticking to your routine. No one expects you to do it all alone, and sometimes a little help can be the key to maintaining your sanity and keeping your routine on track. Remember, delegating tasks or getting a helping hand isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a smart way to manage your time and energy more effectively.
How to Stick with Your Stay at Home Mom Daily Schedule
As the saying goes, “What gets measured gets managed.” Tracking your daily schedule and checking off tasks as you complete them will help you stay motivated and build lasting habits. Eventually, your routine will become second nature, running like a well-oiled machine.
Related: How to Streamline Your Morning Routine: More Fun, Less Stress for Moms
How to Get Back on Track
Life can get busy, and at some point, you might fall off track. When that happens, don’t stress about “catching up.” The key to getting back on track is to start with the current day’s tasks and move forward. Dwelling on what didn’t get done only adds to the mental load and daily routine anxiety. Focus on today, and you’ll find your rhythm again.
My Stay at Home Mom Schedule with a Toddler
Monthly (1 task per week)
- Review Expenses and Plan Budget: Best done with your partner so everyone is on the same page. Sign up for my newsletter to get my expense tracking spreadsheet and other free resources.
- Deep Clean the Couch and Area Rugs: For pet owners, use a 1:7 ratio of fabric softener and water in a spray bottle to soften fibers and a rubber brush to remove pet hair. This works great for the car too! (product link)
- Clean the Car: Keep a caddy of car cleaning supplies in the trunk to tackle this task while waiting during your kids’ activities.
- Sam’s Club Run: Stock up on bulk items like meat, snacks, and paper products.
FURemover Plus, Rubber Pet Hair Remover Brush, Black with Gentle Bristles for Grooming Dogs and Cats, Pack of 2, Black
Weekly Routine
Monday:
- Home: Wash bed covers, dust.
- Health & Fitness: 20-minute workout (during nap time or with your toddler).
- Tip: Let them workout too! We have a set of one-pound dumbbells that my son uses while my husband or I are exercising. Consider putting shoes on them so they don’t hurt their toes.
- Kids Activity: Bake or cook something together that can be enjoyed throughout the week.
Toddmomy Kids Dumbbell Toy 1 Pair Kids Weight Lifting Set Plastic Dumbbell Toy Gym Sports Workout Equipment for Kids
Tuesday:
- Home: Wipe down appliances, clean dog bowls, sweep floors.
- Health & Fitness: 20-minute workout.
- Kids Activity: Visit the library to play and choose new books for bedtime.
Wednesday:
- Home: Mop, meal plan.
- Health & Fitness: 20-minute workout.
- Kids Activity: Visit the park, play outside in the yard, or do a sensory activity.
Thursday:
- Home: Clean bathroom, declutter mail and excess paper.
- Health & Fitness: 20-minute workout.
- Kids Activity: Visit the park, play outside in the yard, or do a sensory activity.
Friday:
- Home: Monthly task, special project or catch up on any tasks.
- Health & Fitness: Self-care (e.g., facial, shower, or watch a show—whatever feels right).
- Kids Activity: Grocery shopping.
- Tip: Rather than try to keep them calm and constrained, give them a job to do. Hand them items and ask them to put them in the cart or ask them to choose items from your list off the shelves. You can even have them make their own list to shop from with 3-5 items they can eat throughout the week.
Saturday & Sunday:
- Home: Sweep floors if needed, but mostly relax and enjoy family time.
Daily Routine
Morning:
- Self-Care: Coffee, multivitamin, 10-minute meditation, journaling.
- Home: Unload dishes, let out and feed dogs, start one load of laundry.
Canvas One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book (Yearly Memory Journal and Diary, Natural Canvas Cover)
Evening:
- Dinner: Prepare and enjoy a meal with the family.
- Toddler Bedtime Routine: Bath, storytime, tuck-in.
- Home: Dishes, wipe down counters, quick tidy-up.
- Family Time: Spend quality time with your spouse.
Sample Stay-at-Home Mom Block Schedule
Creating a block schedule can be incredibly helpful in structuring your day while still allowing flexibility for the unpredictable moments that come with having a toddler. Below is a sample block schedule of our typical day, which has been working wonders for me and my 18-month-old.
| Time | Activities |
|---|---|
| 6:45 AM – 8:00 AM | Mom’s Me Time: Wake up, let dogs out, feed them, make coffee, take vitamins. 10-minute meditation, journal, work on side hustle until toddler wakes up. |
| 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Breakfast and Get Ready: Toddler wakes up, diaper change, make breakfast together, eat, get ready for the day, see daddy off to work. |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cleaning Block: Toddler helps mom unload dishes and do cleaning tasks for the day. (Tip: Use nontoxic cleaning products so you don’t have to worry about them touching chemicals or breathing fumes.) |
| 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Play Time: Activity of the day and free play time |
| 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Toddler Naps: Mom works out, showers, finishes cleaning, and anything else that can’t be done or is difficult to do with a toddler. |
| 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Dinner Time: Make Dinner with toddler and eat as a family |
| 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Mom and Dad Tag Team: Clean up the kitchen and do bath time with the toddler. |
| 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM | Family Time: Spend time as a family, toddler bedtime, mom and dad quality time, mom’s bedtime routine. |
Summary
Creating a realistic stay at home mom daily schedule is key to reducing the mental load and finding joy in your busy days. By setting a schedule that works for you and your family, you can accomplish everything you need to while still making time for the moments that matter most. Remember to sign up for my newsletter to get your free time management toolkit and follow me on Pinterest and Reddit so you never miss a post!
I think maintaining a schedule is great for maintaining sanity.
I am still working on perfecting my morning routine till I realized it will never be perfect.
Same! Mine is ever-evolving as life ebbs and flows, but something is better than nothing!
I really enjoyed reading the smart approach, very useful and motivating.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂