My 7-Step System for Rockin’ That Daily Sahm Schedule!
Hey there, all you super mommas out there!
Are you getting lost in piles of laundry and endless to-do lists?
Well, let me tell you a secret – I’ve been there too!
But don’t worry, I have something fantastic to share with you.
I’ve got a 7-step system that will make you the master of your daily SAHM (Stay-at-Home Mom) schedule.
Get ready to rock your routine and find some ‘me time’ in your day.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
Secret #1: It isn’t a schedule
Whoa, hold on a minute!
Did you raise an eyebrow at the first secret?
Are you thinking, “But I NEED a schedule!”?
Well, hang on, because we’re going to dive into that. The thing most moms, including myself, get tangled up in is the difference between a routine and a schedule.
A schedule is a rigid, time-bound plan that slots each activity into a specific time frame. You know, the ones that read something like, “8 AM – Breakfast, 9 AM – Laundry, 10 AM – Playtime.”
It’s a set of stressful boundaries that leaves you feeling like a failure when things inevitably don’t go as planned (because let’s face it, kids are predictably unpredictable!).
On the other hand, a routine is more of a flow.
It’s a loose, flexible guideline of what needs to happen in a day, but not necessarily at a specific time. It’s a sequence rather than a schedule, and it’s a game-changer!!
You don’t beat yourself up if lunch is at noon one day and at 1 PM the next. It’s more about what comes next – after lunch, we have quiet time.
Guess what?
Most of us moms are trying to create a schedule when what we really need is a routine.
So, let’s toss out that strict schedule and embrace a more forgiving, flexible routine.
Trust me, it’s about to make your life a whole lot easier!
Secret #2: Your daily routine is built on your family values
This brings us to the second secret: it’s essential to know your values.
What’s important to you and your family? What are the non-negotiables in your day?
Maybe it’s a sit-down family dinner, maybe it’s time for outdoor play, or perhaps it’s simply ensuring everyone gets enough sleep.
Pinpointing your priorities helps to shape your routine, making it unique to your family.
Don’t get sucked into the social media trap of comparing your routine with others!!
Remember, the photos and posts on Facebook or Pinterest often depict an idealized version of reality, not the day-to-day chaos that is parenting.
What works for one family may not work for another.
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” routine, despite what social media may lead you to believe.
So, define your own “perfect.”
Let your family values guide your routine.
Whether it’s ensuring there’s always time for a bedtime story or carving out time for a mid-afternoon dance party, make sure your routine reflects the things that bring joy and balance to your family’s life.
That’s how you create a routine that sticks, and even better, one that makes your life as a SAHM a whole lot more enjoyable!
Secret #3: Model your day after a preschool or daycare
Modeling your day after a preschool or daycare routine can be a total gamechanger!!
Think about it – these places run like well-oiled machines with a clear structure and purpose, and you can adopt this same approach at home.
Having a set routine not only gives your day a sense of purpose and focus, but it also establishes a reassuring and predictable rhythm for your kids. It’s as if you’re running your very own home-based preschool!
Not to mention, it can make you feel more professional. You’re not just flying by the seat of your pants, but rather, you’re implementing a well-thought-out plan that caters to the physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of your children.
Plus, it’s a fantastic way to ensure you’re creating a well-rounded day that includes a mix of learning, play, rest, and, of course, those vital snack times!
For your children, this structure is highly beneficial.
Kids thrive on routine – the predictability provides a sense of security and helps them understand expectations.
Just like a preschool or daycare, your home can become a nurturing environment where your children know what to anticipate and can look forward to the activities planned.
So, don’t be afraid to take a page out of the preschool playbook. You and your kids will reap the benefits, and who knows, you might even have a little fun in the process!
Secret #4: Create your routing by chunking down your day
Chunking down your day is like breaking up a large puzzle into smaller, manageable pieces. It’s about identifying the natural transition points in your day and creating mini routines around those.
Natural transition points are the times in your day when one activity naturally ends and another begins.
For instance, meal times, the start and end of nap times, or the moment when you finish work for the day.
By identifying these transition points, you can structure your day into logical blocks and establish a steady rhythm that’s easy to follow.
Next up are mini routines.
You could think of these as ‘sub-routines’ that make up your larger daily routine.
Each mini routine is a sequence of related activities that are performed together.
For example, a morning routine might include getting dressed, eating breakfast, and brushing teeth, while an after-school routine could involve snack time, homework, and outdoor play.
Lastly, rituals play a vital role in tying your day together.
These are special activities that provide a sense of comfort and predictability, and help transition from one part of the day to another.
Bedtime rituals, like reading a story and tucking in, or naptime routines, like a lullaby and dimming the lights, can become cherished parts of your child’s day, signaling that it’s time to wind down and rest.
By chunking down your day, creating mini routines, and incorporating rituals, you can create a harmonious daily rhythm that’s structured yet flexible, providing a sense of security and calm for both you and your kids.
It’s all about finding a flow that works for your family – and remember, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, so feel free to adjust and experiment until you find your sweet spot.
Secret #5: The “stay at home mom schedule” is actually the part that you just write down
The beauty of the “stay at home mom schedule” lies in its simplicity.
It’s the piece of your daily rhythm that you jot down, making it tangible and easy to follow.
Think of it as a roadmap guiding your day, providing direction and helping you stay on track.
It may contain set meal times, designated slots for chores, learning activities, playtime, and rest.
However, its real magic is in its adaptability, allowing you to adjust and rearrange as needed, based on your family’s unique needs and rhythm.
Remember, this schedule is not designed to confine, but to provide a framework around which the dance of your day revolves.
Getting started with scheduling and jotting down your routine can seem a little daunting, but there’s a whole host of tools and techniques out there to help you out.
For the tech-savvy among us, digital tools like Google Calendar, Todoist, or Asana are fantastic for planning and organizing your day. They’re super flexible, allowing you to create different color-coded calendars for each family member, set reminders for important tasks, and even share schedules with others.
If you’re more of a pen-and-paper person, don’t fret! A simple notebook, wall planner, or dry erase board can do the trick. You can draw up a weekly or daily schedule, color coding activities as you prefer. Some folks find it helpful to use stickers or symbols for recurring tasks, like a small sun for morning routines or a moon for bedtime rituals.
To get started, simply pick a day and time when you’re free and relaxed, grab your tool of choice, and start jotting down your routine as it currently stands.
It’s important to be realistic and consider all aspects of your day, including work, mealtimes, and downtime.
Once you’ve got it all down, you can start tweaking and optimizing to make your routine work better for you and your family.
Remember, this is a dynamic process, so don’t be afraid to make changes as you go along!
Secret #6: Filler activities are life savers!
Filler activities are those little yet significant actions we choose to fill the gaps in our daily schedule.
It’s like using a filler to smooth out the cracks in a wall, but instead, we’re filling in the time between our major commitments.
You might think of it as the ‘in-between’ time, but it’s really so much more.
These activities can range from educational pursuits, playful family time, to even quiet work moments.
What’s at the heart of these filler activities is the alignment with our own family values.
For instance, if fostering creativity is a top priority in your family, a filler activity might be an impromptu art session or some free play with building blocks.
If health and wellbeing take center stage, a quick family yoga stretch or a short walk in the park can smoothly slide into those little pockets of time.
The key is to choose filler activities that both complement and enrich our daily lives while reinforcing the values we hold dear.
So, grab those empty slots in your schedule and fill them with activities that light you up and align with your values.
Remember, every moment is a chance to make memories, learn something new, or simply enjoy the beauty of life. You’ve got this!
Secret #7: Pull it all together with a little love – and CCF!
Pulling it all together requires commitment, consistency, and a dash of flexibility!
Commitment is your pledge to your routine, a promise to yourself and your family that you’ll stick to the schedule you’ve outlined.
Consistency, on the other hand, is all about repetition and regularity, acting as the glue that binds your routine together.
But remember, life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and that’s where flexibility enters the equation.
It’s essential to remain adaptable, ready to adjust and pivot your routine when life throws a curveball.
Whether it’s a last-minute work assignment, an unforeseen family obligation, or simply a day when things don’t go as planned, flexibility ensures your routine can withstand the winds of change.
So, as you weave together your days and weeks, remember these three key ingredients: commitment to your plan, consistency in your actions, and flexibility in your approach.
With these in your toolkit, you’ll craft a routine that not only fits your life but also enriches it.
Now, that’s what I call pulling it all together!
And there you have it folks, the secrets behind crafting a routine that really sticks!
It’s all about making conscious decisions, prioritizing what matters, sprinkling in some invigorating filler activities, and binding it all together with commitment, consistency, and a touch of flexibility.
Remember, your routine should be a living, breathing thing, adaptable to the ebb and flow of your life. It’s not about perfection, but progress.
As long as you’re moving forward, you’re on the right track.
So go ahead, give these tips a whirl and see how they transform your daily life. You got this!
