016 | My SAHM Schedule
Stay-at-home-mom tips from a mom of three
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My deepest desire is not just to help you survive these years with babies and toddlers but to actually enjoy this season of life. Being a stay-at-home mom is such a privilege, and I love that I get to spend so much time with my kids and care for them full-time. But let’s be honest — it’s not always easy, and not everyone naturally thrives in this role.
If you're feeling a little lost or struggling to find joy in your days, I get it. Today, I’m sharing my best tips to help you enjoy your days as a stay-at-home mom by adding just a touch of gentle structure. And by “structure,” I don’t mean trying to cram more into your day or following a strict schedule. This is about creating a rhythm that works for you — one that brings peace and joy to both you and your little ones.
I’ll also walk you through what our current routine looks like, so you can get some inspiration for your own family.
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1. Start with Your Mindset
Your mindset is your greatest asset as a stay-at-home mom. You can choose to dwell on thoughts like:
💭 “My husband gets to go out and talk to adults all day while I’m stuck here.”
Or, you can shift your focus to gratitude and recognize the sweet moments you get to experience with your kids.
Motherhood has made me realize the power of realistic expectations. I don’t aim to accomplish a mile-long to-do list or set high standards that leave me feeling defeated. If I go into the day with a loose plan and maybe one or two main tasks to get done, I feel successful. And that mindset shift makes all the difference.
2. Create a Loose Routine (Not a Schedule)
I like to think of our day as a routine rather than a schedule. A schedule has set times — wake up at 7, breakfast at 8, naps — but I’ve found that living by the clock just stresses me out. Instead, we do things in the same order every day, with lots of flexibility.
Here’s a quick peek at our current routine:
Morning: I don’t wake up before my kids. Whenever the first one wakes up, that’s when I start my day. We have the same breakfast every morning — sourdough oat pancakes and eggs — and then I grab my coffee and spend a few quiet minutes reading my Bible and journaling while the kids play.
Mid-Morning: After Bible time, I’ll do a few kitchen tasks, like chop veggies or get dough rising. Basically, if there’s a way to prep for dinner in the morning, I do it. If the weather’s nice, we’ll head outside. If we’re seeing friends, running errands or going out in some way, this is the time block we do it in.
Afternoon: After lunch, it’s quiet time for everyone. I make sure to take a little time to rest, usually by reading a book on the couch.
Evening: My husband comes home, we eat dinner, and the kids get some time with dad. Then it’s bedtime for them and, hopefully, an early bedtime for me too!
The beauty of a routine is that it’s flexible. It gives us enough structure to know what to expect but leaves plenty of room for life to happen.
3. Plan Ahead
I’m a planner by nature, so I love knowing what’s happening in my day or week. Planning ahead, even just a little bit, brings so much more peace to our home.
For example:
If I know we’re going to have a busy day, I’ll plan a no-cook dinner or rely on leftovers.
I use little pockets of time to prep for later — chopping an extra onion or mixing dough so it’s ready for another meal.
If we’re leaving the house the next day, I pack a back the night before.
These small habits help me feel more in control and prevent the chaos that can creep in when I’m unprepared.
4. Leave Space in Your Schedule
If we’re out and about too much during the week, I start feeling overwhelmed. I love making food from scratch, but if I’m constantly on the go, I can’t keep up with the homemaking tasks that keep our home running smoothly.
For us, two to three outings per week is the sweet spot. But this will look different for everyone! The key is figuring out what feels good for you and your family and sticking to that rhythm. It took me a few overbooked weeks to realize I needed to slow down, but now I protect that space in our schedule.
5. Minimize Decisions
One of the biggest game-changers for me has been minimizing the number of decisions I have to make throughout the day. Decision fatigue is real, and as moms, we make a million decisions before lunchtime!
Here’s how I simplify:
Same Breakfast Every Day: We eat the same thing every morning — no guesswork.
Limited Dinner Rotation: I stick to 10 or so favorite dinner recipes and rotate through them.
Simplified Kid Outfits: We recently switched to only black pants for the kids, so no matter what top they grab, it matches!
A book I love, The Lazy Genius Way, talks about deciding once as much as possible. When you make a decision that lasts for a whole season of life (or longer), you free up so much mental energy. Look for little ways to decide once in your routine — it makes a huge difference!
Bonus: Don’t Be Afraid to Do Things Differently
Lastly, don’t be afraid if your life looks a little different than your friends or the other moms in your community. I’m an introvert and a homebody. I used to worry that I should be more social like other people, but ultimately, we thrive with a lighter social calendar.
You might make different decisions when it comes to feeding your kids, screentime or nap schedules. The point is — do what works for your family. You’re not supposed to look like everyone else!
Want Help Finding Time to Read Your Bible?
If you’re looking for practical ways to read the Bible throughout your day as a stay-at-home mom, check out my new devotional for toddler moms, Bible Time Take Back. It’s packed with encouragement and tips to help you fit Bible reading into your busy days. You can grab it in paperback or on Kindle over on Amazon. [grab a copy]
What’s Your Favorite Stay-at-Home Mom Tip?
Those are my five best tips for structuring your day for peace as a stay-at-home mom. I’d love to hear from you! What’s something that has made your days easier and more enjoyable? Drop a tip in the comments — I can’t wait to read them!
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