As a stay-at-home mom, your daily routine can be hectic and overwhelming. No worries – I’ve got you covered with scheduling tools that will help you manage your day like a pro!
As a stay-at-home mom, you’re no stranger to the whirlwind that comes with managing a household!
Juggling meals, chores, kids’ schedules, and self-care simultaneously can feel like a daunting task. You might often find yourself stretched thin, struggling to maintain a balance and keep chaos at bay.
The constant pressure to stay on top of everything can lead to stress and anxiety, affecting not just your mental health but also your ability to manage tasks efficiently. Without a proper system in place, things can quickly spiral out of control, making your days seem even more chaotic and overwhelming.
But what if I told you there’s a way to transform this daily chaos into smooth sailing? Yes, it’s very much possible!
An organized schedule is the secret sauce to managing your days effectively!! With the right scheduling tools, you can plan your day down to the last detail, if you really want to, ensuring that you stay productive without compromising on your well-being.
In this blog post, I’ll walk through five scheduling tools that will act as your personal assistant, helping you manage your routine like a pro!
{This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you should decide to purchase something using one of my links. It costs you nothing more and helps support Making Mommas. See my full disclosure for more details.}
The Benefits of Having a Schedule as a Stay-at-Home Mom
Having a well-structured schedule benefits both you and your kiddos.
First and foremost, a daily schedule helps us reduce stress! With a clear daily plan, we can manage our tasks efficiently, leading to less stress and more peace of mind.
It also improves our productivity. By having a schedule, we can designate specific times for chores, errands, and personal care, resulting in a more balanced and productive day.
Another advantage is that it allows us to prioritize self-care. Schedules ensure that we remember to carve out time for our own relaxation and hobbies, which is crucial for our overall well-being.
And a consistent schedule provides consistency for our kids. Children thrive on routine, and when they have a clear schedule to follow, it helps them understand what to expect each day, providing them a sense of security and stability.
Moreover, following a daily routine teaches our children valuable lessons about time management and responsibility. They learn the importance of organizing their time and fulfilling their responsibilities.
Remember, the goal isn’t to plan every single minute, but rather to create a flexible structure that works for our unique needs and lifestyle.
Types of Scheduling Tools Available
When it comes to scheduling tools, you have a wide range of options to choose from! Each tool is designed with specific features to meet different needs.
Let’s take a look at two types of scheduling tools: digital tools and traditional tools.
Digital scheduling tools, also known as digital planners, have become quite popular in our technology-driven society. They offer seamless, interactive, and versatile scheduling solutions.
Some even come with intelligent features like task reminders, collaboration capabilities, and integration with productivity apps. You can access them through smartphone apps or web-based platforms, which makes planning on-the-go super convenient.
On the other hand, traditional scheduling tools, like physical planners, are still a favorite for many people (yo! 🙋🏻♀️) There’s something special about the hands-on experience of planning and organizing your schedule.
From simple to-do lists to beautifully designed planners with sections for goal setting, habit tracking, and reflection, traditional planners offer a range of options. If you enjoy writing things down and find satisfaction in crossing off tasks, a physical planner might be just what you need.
In the upcoming sections, we’ll explore some of the best digital and traditional scheduling tools for stay-at-home moms. Remember, each tool is unique, so choose the one that aligns with your needs and preferences.
Let’s dive in and find the perfect scheduling tool for you!
1. Calendars
Traditional calendars remain a reliable and popular method of keeping track of important dates and events. The two most common types are wall calendars and desk calendars, each with their own benefits.
Wall calendars, often hung in a central location like a kitchen or an office, provide a visual overview of the month’s schedule at a glance. They often have ample space to jot down appointments, birthdays, and crucial deadlines.
Desk calendars, on the other hand, are typically smaller and designed to fit comfortably on a desktop or workspace. These calendars are often used in professional settings, serving as both a quick reference tool and a place to jot down notes or reminders for the day.
Regardless of the type, these traditional calendars offer a tangible, visual way to keep track of time and manage tasks, making them a valuable tool in personal and professional planning.
2. Planners
Traditional store-bought planners offer a tangible, ready-made solution for those who prefer traditional methods of organization. They typically come in various formats like daily, weekly, or monthly layouts, allowing users to choose a structure that best suits their scheduling needs.
The design options of these planners are virtually limitless, ranging from sleek, professional designs to whimsical, colorful patterns, ensuring there’s a perfect planner for every aesthetic preference.
There’s a ton of popular pre-made planners, like the Erin Condren LifePlanner. What sets this planner apart is its vibrant and customizable covers, along with its generous layout that gives you plenty of space to organize your life.
The Moleskine Planner is another favorite, beloved for its minimalist design and quality paper.
For those seeking simplicity with a touch of elegance, the Leuchtturm1917 Weekly Planner and Notebook stands out with its clean layout and variety of colors.
Lastly, the Passion Planner offers a unique approach, combining calendar features with goal-setting tools to encourage users to define and pursue their passions.
If you want to find the perfect mom planner for you, read my post about the best planners for moms who stay home.
3. Printable Planners
Printable planners are a flexible and customizable solution for personal organization. Instead of being pre-bound like store-bought planners, these are digital files that users can print according to their needs.
This format allows for ultimate personalization – if a certain layout works best for you, you can print multiple pages of that layout.
Need a mix of daily, weekly, and monthly layouts? Simply print what you need.
You can add or remove pages as needed, and even color-coordinate sections for easy reference.
One of the key advantages of printable planners is the abundance of free or affordable resources available online.
If you’re on the hunt for free printables, check out The Savvy Mama. Offering a wealth of free resources, including an assortment of planner pages, The Savvy Mama is an invaluable resource for those striving to streamline their schedules and enhance their organizational skills!
Brittany’s site is a treasure trove of downloadable content that caters to a variety of planning styles, proving that effective planning doesn’t have to break the bank! Explore The Savvy Mama’s offerings to find printables that align with your needs and aesthetic preferences.
For more stylized and personalized options, digital marketplaces such as Etsy have numerous sellers offering affordable, beautifully designed printable planners, including Making Mommas!! These often come with options to customize the size, layout, or even color scheme to fit your personal style and needs.
4. Digital Planners
Digital planners operate much like their physical counterparts, but with the added convenience of virtual accessibility. They are designed to help you manage your time more effectively by organizing your schedule, tasks and appointments in a simple, easy-to-navigate system.
Key features of digital planners often include calendar views, reminders and notifications, task prioritization, time tracking, and the ability to share and delegate tasks. Some digital planners also integrate with other apps or platforms you may already be using, such as email or project management tools.
One popular digital planner is Google Calendar, known for its seamless integration with other Google services, easy sharing capabilities, and accessible interface.
My favorite is Trello, appreciated for its board-and-card system that visually organizes tasks and projects. I use it for my blog and freelancing.
Microsoft Outlook is also a noteworthy contender, serving as both an email client and a robust digital planner. It offers a high level of customization and compatibility with other Microsoft Office tools.
Asana is ideal for project management with features like goal setting, project timelines, and progress tracking.
Remember, the best digital planner for you will depend on your unique scheduling needs, personal preferences, and technological comfort level.
5. Apps
In today’s fast-paced digital age, scheduling apps have gained immense popularity, especially among busy moms.
These pocket-friendly virtual assistants help manage a plethora of tasks, making everyday life more organized and less chaotic.
Automatic scheduling is a key aspect of apps. By learning your daily routines, these apps can intelligently schedule tasks, making time management effortless and efficient.
With this feature, you can optimize your productivity and maximize your efficiency.
Task lists are another functional feature of these apps, allowing moms to list out their chores for the day, week, or even month. These lists can be easily edited, updated, or rearranged, providing flexibility and control over daily tasks.
Perhaps one of the most valuable features is the ability to share schedules within the family. This shared feature fosters better communication and coordination among family members, ensuring everyone’s aware of their responsibilities and schedules.
There are several popular scheduling apps that are particularly suited for stay-at-home moms. I haven’t tried any of these apps, because I’m more of a paper and pencil kind of girl, so if you try them, be sure to share you thoughts in the comments below!
Cozi Family Organizer is a favorite among sahms, offering features like meal planning, grocery lists, and to-do lists, on top of its robust scheduling capabilities.
Todoist is a powerful task manager that allows for hierarchical task organization and color-coding, making it easier to prioritize tasks.
Lastly, Any.do is a comprehensive organization app that incorporates lists, reminders, and a daily planner in one easy-to-use platform.
These apps all offer a combination of features that can make managing a busy household a little simpler.
How to Choose the Right Scheduling Tool for You
Choosing the right scheduling tool is a critical decision that can significantly impact your day-to-day life as a stay-at-home mom. This decision depends on your specific needs, personal preferences, and the dynamics of your family.
So, let’s look at some important factors to consider when deciding which tool will best suit your lifestyle:
- Budget: Take a look at your budget and think about the value you’d get from advanced features before making a decision. Some planners are cost-effective, while certain digital planners/apps may require a subscription or one-time purchase.
- Personal Preference: Take your personal preference into account when choosing a planner format. For some, the tactile experience of writing in a physical planner is enjoyable, while others find convenience in digital planners/apps. Experiment with different options to discover the one that aligns with your style the best.
- Specific Needs: Different planners and digital tools offer various features. Think about what you need, such as goal tracking, habit tracking, or note-taking capabilities, and choose a tool that caters to those needs.
- Priorities: If you want a comprehensive tool with all the bells and whistles, investing in a premium digital planner/app might be worth it. However, if you prefer simplicity and basic scheduling features, a traditional planner or a free, straightforward digital tool could be sufficient.
- Compatibility: Make sure the tool works well with your devices and is easily accessible whenever you need it. Consider whether a digital planner/app is compatible with your smartphone, tablet, or computer, while a traditional planner requires no compatibility concerns.
- Privacy: If you plan on storing sensitive information, like personal or work schedules, ensure that the chosen tool provides enough privacy and security features, whether it’s a digital planner/app with encryption or a physical planner kept in a secure location.
By considering these factors, you can find a scheduling tool, whether it’s a traditional planner or a digital planner/app, that meets your needs and helps boost your productivity.
Hope these tips help!
At the End of the Day…
At the end of the day, what really matters in a planner—whether it’s digital or physical—is how well it fits your unique needs and lifestyle. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Whether you’re tracking meetings on your phone or jotting down coffee dates in a traditional planner, the key is finding a system that works for you, one that makes your day more manageable and your life more organized.
Remember to prioritize what you need, compatibility, and privacy. After all, the true measure of a planner’s success lies not in its features, but in how effectively it helps you achieve your goals.
So, find what works for you and embrace it!
Before You Go!
Before you go, don’t forget to check out my Etsy shop where you’ll find a range of printable planners tailored to the diverse needs of a stay-at-home mom’s life!
From managing your kid’s schedules to tracking your personal goals, my planners will help you stay organized and make each day more productive.
Remember, a well-planned day is a well-lived day. Visit my Etsy shop today to find the perfect planner for you!
More on Schedules & Routines
5 Proven Scheduling Techniques For A Highly Productive Daily SAHM Schedule
How to Create a SAHM Schedule + Free Printable Stay-at-Home Mom Schedule
How To Structure Your Days As A SAHM
Wanna Create the Best Ever Stay at Home Mom Schedule? Here’s How!
The Happy SAHM: The Secret to Mastering the Daily Stay-at-Home Mom Schedule