Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Routine as a SAHM

10 replies

Cocopopsss · 26/06/2021 08:22

I’ve never been the most organised 🙈 easily distracted especially by my phone, overthinking too. Have some anxiety and low mood for which I’m taking medication.

However I really want to change bad habits, be more organised around the house and make time for myself and family. I feel guilty going out for a walk even because there’s always something that needs doing at home.

I have a toddler at home and 2DC in school. Any advice/tips about routine please? Including time for myself. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
grey12 · 26/06/2021 08:37

I'll be watching this thread carefully Grin

I just wanted to say one thing that really worked for me was having a couple of things hanging on my fridge. A calendar with a little space to write things (so I don't forget what day it is or if there are any commitments) and a whiteboard for groceries and to do list (even small things like cutting the kids' nails goes there)

I was watching this youtube video and the lady was talking about the power of the 5 min tidy up. You can try that as well

Nosugarmonster · 26/06/2021 09:15

I have 2 children at school and my own business. I am a SAHM too. I would say get up at the same time each day (15-30mins before the older kids) so you can get dressed and have some time to yourself. Have breakfast with your children and tidy up whilst they get dressed/ help the youngest one.

After school drop off, plan some activities for your 20month old they can do independently (puzzles, colouring etc) so you can plan food shopping/ put some washing on/ tidy up (or work in your business if you have one). Then snack and coffee!

Head out with littlest once a day for a walk (they can be in a pram if easier. Meet a mum friend for coffee/ attend a toddler church group/private class. Then back for afternoon nap for littlest (if they still nap) and a sit down for you. You could exercise at home (spin bike, Jo Wicks etc) or just chill out and watch TV.

Wake up youngest and get ready for school run. Pick up kids/ let them all watch TV whilst you prep dinner.

Have dinner with your family, then baths, stories, bed and then back to more chill out time for you!

Cupidity · 26/06/2021 22:02

It's been a couple of years since mine were in the toddler years but back then my days looked something like this (precovid, not sure how much will have changed wrt playgroups)

7.00 get up, shower, make dc breakfast, get them dressed, teeth brushed, etc

8.20 school run for dd (&ds 2x a week once he got his free nursery hours)

9.30ish take toddler to a playgroup (Mon, wed, Thurs), to the zoo (weather dependent), or supermarket shop. But I'd always try and take him out somewhere.

Get home no later than 12.30 for lunch then toddler nap (whilst toddler was sleeping I'd tidy toys, or do some laundry, etc) Hopefully there would be some time to sit and have a cuppa before ds woke up.

2.40 get out the door for school run to pick dd up

3.10 get home. Feed dc a snack. Have a play date with friends 1-2 times a week (it game me extra impetus to tidy up a bit). In the summer spend time at the park, winters were more inside. Try and do a bit of reading/homework with dd if possible. Once or twice a week dd would have an after school activity which I had to ferry her to.

4.30ish start cooking dinner put dc in front of tv

5.00ish eat dinner with the dc

6ish dh gets home, plays with dc, eats his dinner and then cleans the kitchen a bit.

7pm 2x a week go for a gym or plates class as my me time

Get home, prepare any stuff for the next day, get dc ready for bed, then crash from exhaustion.

I think it really helped that we had a cleaner come for 2 hours once every 2 weeks to do the big cleaning jobs. We'd always manically tidy all the toys away the night before she came. But it meant the house was totally clean once in a while which made it easier to keep on top of stuff between visits.

It also helps that there were loads of toddler groups locally so we tried lots till we found his favourites and I got to know some of the parents that tended to go to the same groups. Or if he outgrew one there would be a different place to go to

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

KILNAMATRA · 27/06/2021 08:35

One thing that helps me is to go for walk after school run.. my body needs it, my head deserves it. Only 2 miles and 20 mins but if I dont do it then it doesn't happen. It calms my anxiety and I don't feel so guilty about not exercising.

Cocopopsss · 27/06/2021 11:06

Thanks for all the replies.

I didn’t used to feel this guilty about doing things for myself. I would also take out the DC daily when they were little but I can’t shake off the feeling that I should be doing more to keep up on chores at home. After having the baby I get very frustrated at seeing mess, never used to bother me before!

How much time do people spend cleaning everyday? Is it done in one go and then just little bits the rest of the day?

OP posts:
grey12 · 27/06/2021 11:45

Check out "The Minimal Mom" on youtube Smile she doesn't like cleaning up so has all these little tricks to help

MrsPear · 27/06/2021 11:57

Work out what is right for you and stick to it.

Morning person or night owl?
What do you want to achieve daily?
What are your responsibilities?

Personally I liked the whole house tidy and the bathroom / kitchen cleaned as a minimum on a daily basis. Plus a home cooked main meal.
I am responsible for the home and children. Old fashioned but works. H does football clubs, barbers and shoes.

Tips? Lists and lists. Calendar. I plan my week on Sunday.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 27/06/2021 12:06

Mine are adults now but I had a routine so I kept weekends free for fun things.
So.... washing in machine before bed
Get up put kettle on and washer on
Everyone ready to leave house.
School run
Let dd2 have 20 mins play on park on way back
Come back put her down for nap then tidy up , hang washing out and prep evening meal.
Have a cuppa then go out to a playgroup or library or swimming ( we went out every day)
School pick up
30 minutes on park
Evening meal
Rinse and repeat.

Pinuporc · 27/06/2021 13:45

When I was on furlough ir worked pt I would write a list.
I generally dont do the whole house in one go so might do bathrooms one day, hoovering the next day etc.( I do daily cleaning like wiping surfaces, putting cleaner down the loo etc) Also admin jobs , And I would put exercise/leisure stuff on my to do list too.

Cocopopsss · 28/06/2021 13:16

Thanks for these ideas.
I usually do a list but I guess I might be trying to do too much so end up sacrificing my leisure/exercise time. It’s an effort to put my needs first sometimes but necessary too.

I am a morning person but with the toddler up several time some nights, I’m not feeling that alert in the mornings.

I think I will go back to list writing and try to prioritise a few things without overburdening myself.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread