Looking to create a simple daily routine for working moms?
The demands of life as a working mom can be a lot to deal with.
When I went back to work after an 18 month maternity leave, the thing I struggled with most was coming up with a new routine that would work for my family and I.
The majority of my time is spent outside the home and it can be difficult trying to wrap my head around how to get things done around the home with the limited time I have left.
I know that these concerns are not unique to my household.
Motherhood can be both rewarding and overwhelming when you’re a working mom. The demands and responsibilities of work are often difficult to balance while nurturing a family.
The key to thriving in this delicate balancing act lies in the power of effective daily routines.
In this blog post, I’ll delve into the significance of establishing routine for working moms, explore their benefits, and provide practical insights and tips to help working moms create routines that empower them to manage their roles with grace and efficiency.
What Is A Routine?
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s start by clarifying what we mean by a routine.
Simply put, a routine is a set of tasks and actions that are done on a regular basis.
Your routine can be as simple as having dinner with the family at 6pm everyday. It can be more complicated, span several days and and involve multiple people.
A routine can be repeated as often as you would like. Routines can be yearly, monthly, weekly, daily, or even hourly.
Routine vs Habit
At first glance, routines and habits look very similar. They sound like the same thing- repeatable tasks done on a regular basis.
In actual fact they are quite distinct.
A habit is a behaviour or set of actions that are done regularly with little or no conscious thought.
The key difference between a habit and a routine is the fact that habits are done without thought. The decision to perform a habit is made by the subconscious mind.
For instance, you brush your teeth before you step in the shower every morning. This is a habit. Few people who have made brushing their teeth a habit, will need to include it as part of their morning routine.
Some routines will eventually become habits, but not every routine can become a habit.
Routine vs Schedule
People also often confuse routines with schedules and I feel that it’s important to understand the distinction between the two.
A schedule involves assigning specific time slots to activities, making it a more structured and time-bound approach. Schedules tend to be more rigid and restrictive.
Many people use a combination of routines and schedules and it’s ok for you to do so as well.
Why Are Routines Important?
Routines get a bad rep because people often consider them to be restrictive.
It may seem like your sucking out the spontaneity and fun from your life by sticking to set routines. The truth is that having good routines have many benefits that make it worthwhile- especially for working moms.
Here are some of the benefits that you can expect when you set good routines.
1. Efficiency and Productivity
Routines help you to be more efficient and productive because they provide a roadmap for your day to tasks.
Instead of wondering what you’re going to do each day, a good routine will help you to set your daily tasks, allowing you to prioritize and manage our time effectively.
Related: How to time block using Notion.
2. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
The unpredictability and constant demands of life as a working mom can often leave one feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
Routines can help bring a much-needed sense of structure and predictability, which can alleviate stress and anxiety.
By knowing what needs to be done and when, you feel a greater sense of control and can approach your daily challenges with a calmer mindset.
3. Improved Work-Life Balance
For working moms, finding a balance between professional commitments and personal responsibilities can be particularly challenging.
Routines act as a compass, enabling working moms to allocate time for both work and family.
When you set clear boundaries and establish specific work hours, you can dedicate quality time to your love ones.
4. Enhanced Self-Care
One of the most significant benefits of routines is that they allow you to prioritize self-care.
By incorporating activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies into your daily routines, you ensure that your physical and mental well-being is also being taken care of.
Regular self-care not only recharges, but also equips you to tackle the demands of work and family life more effectively.
5. Organization and Planning
Routines help you to organize and plan better.
By establishing regular schedules for tasks such as meal prepping, grocery shopping, and household chores, you can take guess work out of the equation and avoid last-minute stress or chaos.
This organization provides a solid foundation for managing our daily responsibilities with ease.
Related: Simple Home Management Tips For Working Moms
6. Consistency and Stability
Consistency is crucial, especially when you’re dealing with children.
By following consistent routines, we create an environment where children know what to expect next. The result is a greater sense of security and stability.
Whether it’s bedtime routines, meal times, or family activities, consistency in your routines is actually what makes them feel most safe.
7. Helps you achieve your goals
Goals are the cumulative result of your daily actions.
If you build good daily routines, they will act as stepping stones to achieving your short and long term goals.
Essentials Routines For Working Mom
Now that you know the many benefits of creating good routines, here are a few areas working moms can create routines in. Each of these will help you feel less frazzled and more more in control.
I don’t recommend creating routines in all of these areas at once.
If you do this, you can feel overwhelmed and give up altogether.
My recommendation is to start low and go slow.
Start by incorporating one of these routines into your life. It will take some time to start to feel comfortable with a new routine. Take some time to ease into it.
When you’re ready, you can start incorporating another routine.
Morning Routine
I would argue that a morning routine is the single most important routine that you can set.
How you start your day sets the tone for the rest of your day.
An effective morning routine will make it easier for you to handle whatever life throws your way during the day.
Your morning routine doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.
A simple morning routine can include activities for the mind, body and soul. It can be as simple as reading a 5 minute devotional, drinking a glass of water and stretching.
For more morning routine ideas, check out this blog post.
Managing Meals And Groceries
Plan your meals ahead to save time and reduce stress. Preparing lunches the night before and having a weekly meal plan can make a huge difference.
Not only will this save you time during the week, it can reduce costs related to meals and groceries.
Chores
Every househod has chores that need to get done. It’s important to have some sort of routine around managing your household so that it doesn’t get overwhelming.
Make sure to delegate tasks to family members or consider hiring help for certain chores. This way, the burden of household tasks doesn’t fall solely on your shoulders.
You can also outsource tasks that you don’t have the capacity for. Things like cooking, cleaning, laundry and even organizing can be outsourced.
Evening Routine
Create a calming evening routine that signals the end of the workday and the transition into family time. Put away work-related items, engage in quality family moments, and use this opportunity to prepare for the next day.
Related: Evening Routine For Working Moms
Sample Daily Routine For Working Moms
It’s up to you to organize your day in a way that best fits you and your family’s needs.
This sample daily routine for working moms will act as a guide to help you organize your weekdays as a working mom. You don’t have to follow this schedule to a T.
- 6:00 AM: Rise and Shine. Wake up (preferably before your kids and spend a few minutes going through your morning routine.
- 6:30 AM: Get yourself ready and prepare breakfast
- 7:15 AM: Wake up the kids and help them get ready
- 8:00 AM: Leave the house, drop kids off at school/ daycare, then head to work
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Work
- 5:30 PM: Pick up kids from school/ daycare
- 6:00 PM: Prepare dinner for the family while kids play/ do their homework. You can also use this time to throw a load of laundry in the wash so that you can fold it later at night.
- 6:45 PM: Dinner time
- 7:30 PM: Kids bedtime routine begins
- 8:00 PM: Evening routine-Tidy up and reset for the next day. You may choose to pack lunches, set out clothes for the next day and even get the table prepped for breakfast. Remember that a good morning routine actually starts the night before.
- 10:00 PM: Personal relaxation time or reading. This is also a great time to incorporate a small skin care or self care routine.
- 10:30 PM: Lights out, bedtime.
Ready to give routines a try?
Effective daily routines have the power to transform your life as a working mom.
When you have a good routine, you can streamline tasks, improve your productivity, and give yourself a sense of structure.
Remember, building routines takes time. Start small, be adaptable, and celebrate your accomplishments along the way.
As you cultivate your unique routines, you’ll find that the journey becomes not just manageable, but also deeply rewarding.
So, embrace the power of routines and create a life that balances your roles with grace and joy.
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