I think the key is an organised house. I hate excess stuff. Everything we own has a home and is easy to put away. If you need to move something to put something else away, it just isn’t going to get put away at all.
AM, unload dishwasher, do water bottles and check money on tuc accounts for dc, breakfast things in dishwasher, load of washing on and quick clean of kitchen.
I WFH, so use my lunch hour for housework. I do 30 minutes a day, similar to the organised mum method. I never clean outside of this time or at weekends. DH is great at doing his share, but works much longer hours out of the house and I’m happy to do the majority of housework during my lunch hour to free up the weekends.
After dinner, everyone helps. One DC clears and cleans the table, one puts the bins out and DH and I load the dishwasher and clean the kitchen. DW turned on before bed, cushions plumped and anything out of place tidied before bed. Never takes more than 5 minutes.
Birthday cards are bought in bulk once or twice a year, takes a while choosing individual cards for everyone, but much easier to have them there when I need them. Kept in a box next to the wrapping paper, tape and scissors.
When DC were primary age bags were unpacked as soon as we got home. Lunchboxes wiped out, letters etc put in to do box. Any kit straight in the wash. PE kit, football kit, swimming kit etc, as soon as it’s washed straight back in the relevant bag and on a hook by the back door. We never had to look for goggles or a mouth guard because it was always put back in the right bag.
I meal plan for 6 nights a week. There is always a day when we’re not home or fancy a takeaway or use up let leftovers etc. I always plan for a chuck in the oven dinner for when I can’t be bothered and an easy to reheat diner for the inevitable call from DH to say he’s running late. I have a shopping list stuck on the fridge so when we’re running low on something it’s added to the list.
DCs were always encouraged to try lots of activities. We had a few years of activities every day except 1, including sports matches both weekend days. Much as I like an organised house and life, I also love being busy and out and about lots.
DH and I plan a couple of weekends away a year. Usually March and September, just the two of us. DC are old enough to stay home alone now. Part time working DC tells me her shifts as soon as she gets them, but she’s on a zero hour contract so picks when she wants to work. We pre plan lots of days out. Sports game, theatres trips etc. I look out for special offers and cheap tickets.
Far from being ‘vanilla’ as PPs have suggested, we are very much the opposite. We have a crazy dog, DCs friends always seem to gravitate to our house. Lots of impromptu sleepovers of teens - I just chuck them a pile of blankets and let them get on with it. We can always invite people back because the house is always guest ready. And because I do all the housework during the week, our weekends are always free for either pre planned trips or impromptu ’fancy a trip to the seaside today’ or whatever. And because the house is so well organised, it takes 2 minutes to grab a picnic blanket/sun cream or whatever we need.
DH is a keen cyclist and usually goes out for a long ride one day at the weekend. Usually just a 2 minute conversation. Have we got anything planned - no - do you mind if I go out on Sunday? Or - yes. I wanted to maybe do something - ok, no worries, I’ll go next week.
The only thing I can’t manage to squeeze in is exercise. I could get up early and do it, but I like my bed far too much!