Simplify your life and maximize your productivity with this simple evening routine for working moms.
As a working mom, last thing you probably want to do is add another set of things to do at the end of a long work day.
But starting an evening routine can actually be a game-changer for working moms. Adding a bit of structure to your evenings can be the difference between calm and chaos in your household.
A good evening routine is the perfect tool to end the day on a positive note. It not only helps you wind down and prepare for a good night’s sleep but also allows you to set yourself up for a successful and productive day ahead.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create a simple evening routine that works for you. We’ll discuss what to do and i’ll share some tips to help you create an effective evening routine.
The Importance of Establishing an Evening Routine As A Working Mom
We talk a lot about the importance of creating a morning routine.
But did you know that a good evening routine is actually what helps set you up for the perfect morning?
Imagine being able to get a lot of your morning routine tasks done the night before, so that you don’t start the day off stressed.
A solid evening routine has many benefits. From improved sleep to an increase in productivity, here’s what you can expect when you create an evening routine.
1. A Calm and Relaxing Environment
Creating a peaceful and soothing atmosphere is essential for a restful evening.
By establishing an evening routine, you can create a calm environment that helps you unwind and de-stress after a long day.
Whether it’s enjoying a warm bubble bath, reading a book, or practicing relaxation techniques, having a dedicated time to relax can improve your overall well-being.
2. Improved Sleep Quality
Having a consistent evening routine can greatly improve your sleep quality.
Engaging in relaxing activities before bed tells your body and mind that it’s time to wind down, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
This can lead to waking up feeling refreshed and energized, ready to tackle the day.
3. Enhanced Productivity
An evening routine allows you to prioritize tasks and prepare for the next day.
By including tasks that set you up for success the next day, such as reviewing your to-do list, organizing your workspace, and laying out your clothes, you can start the morning with a clear plan and avoid the frantic rush of searching for things.
Planning your day ahead of time can help you stay focused and be more productive right from the start.
4. Work-Life Balance
As a working mom, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital. Establishing an evening routine helps you create boundaries between work and personal life.
By allocating time for self-care, spending quality time with your family, or pursuing hobbies and interests, you can achieve a better balance and prevent burnout.
5. Reduced Stress and Overwhelm
Having an evening routine provides structure and organization to your evenings.
By breaking down tasks into manageable steps, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
6. Setting a Positive Example For Your Kids
As a role model for your children, establishing an evening routine sets a positive example for them. It teaches them the importance of self-care, time management, and healthy habits.
By seeing you prioritize these aspects, they learn valuable life skills that will benefit them in the future.
How To Set Up an Evening Routine as a Working Mom
Setting up an evening routine is actually quite simple.
The first thing you’ll need to do is to identify the tasks that you would like to include in your evening routine.
These are tasks that are important to you and your household.
You can identify these tasks by asking yourself the following questions:
- What are the things that I need to get done at the end of the day to prepare for the next day?
- Will these things improve my day?
- Which of these things can be simplified?
- Who can I ask to help me with some of these tasks?
Once you have your answers to these questions, you can start to make a list of tasks to include in your evening routine. Remember that every family is different and each household has a different set of systems that help them run smoothly.
Evening Routine for Working Moms: Checklist
Here are some examples of tasks that you may choose to include in your evening routine.
Note that some tasks can be combined to save on time. For instance, you can choose to listen to an audiobook while you make dinner. Or you can do a quick tidy of the house while your kids do their homework.
- Homework with kids
- Quick house clean up
- Load dishwasher
- Do a load of laundry
- Prep for breakfast
- Pack bags for school/ daycare
- Choose clothes for the next day
- Read a few pages of a book
- Listen to a podcast
- Skin care routine
- Have a bath/ shower
- Workout
- Create an evening routine playlist
- Stretch
- Meditate
Sample Realistic Evening Routine For Working Moms
- 5:30 pm – get home
- 5:45 pm – kids do homework/ play while you make dinner
- 6:30 pm – dinnertime
- 7:00 pm – clean up the kitchen and dinning, load the dishwasher (depending on how old your kids are, they can help with tidying up)
- 7:30 pm – bath time, kids bedtime routine
- 8:00 pm – finish up your daily chores, prepare breakfast for the next day, lay out clothes for the next day
- 9:00 pm – do something for yourself (read a book, listen to music, take a long bath, workout, do your skincare routine etc)
- 10:30 pm – bedtime
You can see from the example above how you can simplify your evening routine and still find time to unwind for the day.
Tips For Planning An Effective Evening Routine
1. Plan Ahead
I always recommend to plan your evening routines ahead of time. A great way to do this is to incorporate this into your weekly planning system.
Take a few minuted to plan out your routine- identify the tasks and activities that you want to include, ensuring that they align with your goals and priorities.
The more you do your routine, you’ll be able to streamline this planning process.
The key is to have a clear understanding of what you need to do before evening hits.
2. Try To Stick To The Same Routine Every Evening
Consistency is key to forming an effective evening routine.
Try to follow your routine every day, even on weekends, to reinforce the habit and improve its effectiveness.
The more you repeat the process, the more engrained it becomes. It also helps your family know exactly what to expect every day.
3. Be Flexible With Your Evening Routine
While you want to try to stick to the same routine, it’s also important to be flexible and adaptable with your evening routine.
This just means that your not too rigid.
If something isn’t working out, change things around till you find a system and order that works for you.
4. Prepare For The Next Day
Use your evening routine as an opportunity to set yourself up for a smooth morning. Lay out clothes, pack lunches, and make a to-do list for the following day.
This can really help you set yourself up for success.
5. Simplify Your Routine As Much As Possible
If your evening routine seems overwhelming, then it probably is.
Make sure to simplify your routine as much as you can. What do you have on your list of tasks that you don’t need to do.
- Can you delegate that task to someone else?
- Will any one notice if it goes undone?
5. Set A Timer To Stay On Track
I don’t know about you, but my kids are nothing if not consistent about want to spend more time than necessary on the dinner table or reading before bedtime.
I setting a timer on my phone so that I don’t end up spending too much time on any one task.
This allows me to have the time and energy to stick to my routine.
Setting an alarm also helps to you to stay focused on the task at hand knowing that you have a deadline.
6. Involve The Entire Family
You don’t have to do it all alone.
Make sure to involve your family in creating and maintaining the evening routine.
Assign age-appropriate tasks to each family member to foster a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility.
7. Incorporate Self Care Into Your Routine
Whether it’s reading a book or catching up on your favourite shows, don’t forget to incorporate a component of self care into your evening routine.
Taking care of yourself can reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating these tips into your evening routine can lead to a more peaceful and productive end to your day.
Remember, it may take some time to establish a new routine, so be patient and flexible as you fine-tune it to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
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