The textbook daily routine for working moms starts with preparing breakfast and ends with a bedtime story session. In between, mama goes to work, remains on her feet all day, faces toxic office politics, and comes back just in time to dish out another meal. And then she has to think about what we are having for dinner—argh. If this rings a bell, I’m right there with you, managing conference calls with crayons in one hand and a coffee in the other.
After being in this loop for a while, I put my kids in daycare, as it could help me be present at work. Naturally, when I switched to sending my kids there to get more undisturbed work time, the mom guilt hit hard. But seeing them make friends and learn new things made me realize it was the right choice for us. They were happy, and I could breathe (and work) a bit easier.
I’ve learned that planning goes a long way. Setting up a routine that gives you space to breathe, work, and play with your kids is possible and worth it. Today, we’ll talk about how to take time for all the roles we juggle.
If you’re looking for a daily routine for working moms that helps tick all important things off your to-do list, this post is going to help.
Why Daily Routine for Working Moms Matters
Some moms seem to have it all under control. But spoiler alert: The secret is the working mom schedule they stick to on a daily basis.
Take the routine for working moms as hitting the reset button. Before having a structure, I was constantly rushing to meet work deadlines while remembering to pack lunches and find that missing sneaker. But once I laid out a simple routine, everything started to click.
Here’s why a mom daily schedule template helps:
- When you map out your day, even roughly, it cuts down on the anxiety of the unknown. You can tackle one thing at a time without worrying about what’s slipping through the cracks.
- When you’ve allocated specific times for work, family, and yourself, you can focus better. You’re not trying to answer emails while cooking dinner and helping with homework all at once.
- A routine doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself; rather, it‘s about taking control. Instead of reacting to whatever the day throws at you, you choose what to do next.
A Complete Daily Routine for Working Moms
A working mom morning routine checklist is her first win for the day because that takes a lot of guesswork out of the equation.
Here’s how an ideal daily routine for working moms looks like:
Wake Up Before the Kids (if possible)
Start your working mom morning routine by getting up even 30 minutes before your children. Enjoy a hot coffee, do a quick workout to tick the daily movement off your list, or relish the silence.
If you’re a 5 am person, my 5am morning routine might help you make your mornings more productive.
Quick Self-Care Session
Spending a few minutes on something that makes you feel good is another great habit. I enjoy journaling, but for you, it could be a skincare routine, a short meditation, or reading.
Prep for the Day
Take some time to prepare the breakfast, pack lunches, and lay out outfits to ensure bags are ready to go.
Wake Up the Kids
Time to wake up the kids and help them get ready. You can also turn on some upbeat music to make the morning more enjoyable because a cheerful start to the day is always good.
Family Breakfast
Sit together as a family for a quick meal, and it doesn’t have to be elaborate because you all have places to be.
Commute and Drop-Off
You can use the commute to chat with your kids or listen to their favorite songs. It’s another chance to bond and maximize your time together.
Work Day
Once you’re at work, focus on your tasks. Keep a prioritized to-do list to stay on track throughout the day.
Lunch Break
Take a real break if you can. Step away from your desk, have a healthy meal, and recharge. Even a short walk can do wonders for your energy.
Afternoon Work
Tackle the remaining tasks of the day and aim to wrap up any pressing matters so you don’t carry work stress home.
Pick-Up and Evening Time
After work, pick up the kids and ask about their day.
Dinner Preparation
Involve the kids in preparing dinner if possible. It can be a fun activity and teaches them valuable skills.
Family Time
Spend quality time together after dinner. It could mean helping them with homework, playing a game, or chatting.
Bedtime Routine for Kids
A consistent bedtime routine is a great thing to include in the evening routine for working moms because it gives things structure. A bath, a story, and cuddling can help them wind down and get enough sleep.
Personal Time
Phew. When the kids are in bed, take time for yourself. You can catch up on a show, read, or relax—you’ve earned it. I have written a whole post to help moms set a routine that gives them plenty of me time. Read my guide on daily routine for stay-at-home moms to get further help with the schedule.
Prepare for the Next Day
Before turning in, take a few minutes to prepare for tomorrow. Set out clothes, pack bags, and note any important reminders to make the morning much easier.
Block Scheduling Daily Routine for Working Moms to Maximize Your Time
Not everything goes as we plan, so leaving some margin for getting off track is needed. That’s when block scheduling proves to be a fantastic way to manage your time by allocating specific periods for different activities.
Dividing your day into chunks can be a sanity-saver when juggling work and family. Here’s how you do block schedule for working moms:
Morning Block (6 AM – 9 AM): It includes your wake-up time, self-care, and morning routines for the children. If you have an infant, this might also involve early feedings or diaper changes.
Work Block (9 AM – 12 PM): If you’re working from home with little ones, this might coincide with their nap time or independent play. Use this block for tasks that require concentration.
Midday Block (12 PM – 1 PM): Lunch and a short break. Eat with your kids if they’re home, or take this time to decompress.
Afternoon Work Block (1 PM – 5 PM): Continue with work tasks. Again, align this with your children’s nap times or quiet activities. For school-age kids, this could be their homework time.
Evening Block (5 PM – 8 PM): Family time. Prepare dinner, enjoy a meal together, and engage in evening activities.
Bedtime Block (8 PM – 9 PM): Bedtime routines for the kids. Bath time, stories, and tucking them in by 8:30 pm hopefully. Then it’s your personal or couple time. Relax, plan for the next day, or spend time with your partner, and then prepare to sleep.
Quick Tips on Balancing Breaks and Focused Work Time
I stick to the following tips to make sure my work and family see my balanced self, not a chaotic being:
- Let your family know when you’re in a work block to minimize interruptions. Use visual cues like a closed door or a sign.
- Set timers for work sessions and breaks to stay on schedule. The Pomodoro Technique can be helpful—25 minutes of focused work and a 5-minute break.
- Adjust your blocks as needed. If something comes up, it’s okay to reshuffle. The goal is to have a guide, not a rigid schedule.
Working Mom Schedule with Infant
Working mom schedule with infant is the most draining because you have to monitor them and be there almost all the time. To top it off, if you work and have an infant, it is no small feat.
Here are some things I’ve learned about a working mom schedule with infant and toddler over the years:
Feeding Schedule
It’s possible to plan your work around your baby’s breastfeeding or bottle-feeding times. Use feeding sessions as short breaks from work.
Nap Times
Nap times give you a window to do focused work, so have a list of high-priority tasks to tackle during these quiet periods.
Baby-Wearing
Consider using a baby carrier to keep your baby close while having your hands free to work on less demanding tasks.
Flexible Work Hours
If possible, adjust your work schedule to early mornings or evenings when your partner can help with the baby.
Set Up a Safe Play Area
Create a baby-proofed space where your infant can explore safely. Fill it with age-appropriate toys to keep them engaged while you handle work.
Cleaning Routine for Full-Time Working Moms
Looking after the house eats up a lot of your time and energy if things keep piling up, but this year, we’re leaving that behind and entering our smart planning era.
Here’s a manageable full-time working mom cleaning schedule that’ll make your life easier:
Monday: Laundry Day
Do a couple of laundry loads on Monday, including bedding or towels. Involving the kids in sorting or folding can make it a team effort.
Tuesday: Kitchen Clean-Up
Wipe down counters, clean the sink, and tidy up the pantry.
Wednesday: Bathroom Refresh
Give the bathrooms a quick clean. Wipe surfaces, scrub the toilets, and replace towels if needed. Regular touch-ups prevent deep-cleaning marathons.
Thursday: Living Areas
Tidy up the living room and common spaces. Dust surfaces, vacuum or sweep the floors, and declutter.
Friday: Bedrooms
Change bed linens and encourage the kids to tidy their rooms.
Saturday: Miscellaneous Tasks
Tackle tasks you didn’t get to during the week or focus on outdoor chores like gardening or cleaning the car.
Sunday: Rest and Prepare
Keep chores light on the day off and use it to relax & prepare for the upcoming week with meal planning or organizing schedules.
Quick Cleaning Tips for Busy Moms
For busy moms, working smart is the way to go. When it’s time to clean up, here are some tips to make the chore less tiring:
- Spend 15 minutes tidying up each evening. You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish in a short time, and it prevents messes from piling up.
- Assign age-appropriate chores to the kids to teach responsibility and lighten your load.
- Wipe surfaces and put things away immediately to prevent clutter. Small actions add up over time.
Weekend Reset Routine for a Working Mom
Weekends are for relaxation and preparation, but for moms, it means different kinds of tasks than weekdays. Therefore, a productive working mom weekend schedule can help you balance family time and rest.
The first thing is to plan family activities like a trip to the park, a movie night, or a simple picnic in the backyard. Dedicating time to connect is so rewarding because these moments create lasting memories.
Batch cooking is a life-saver for busy moms (and people) because you don’t have to think ‘what to cook today’ every day. For that, spending a couple of hours preparing meals for the week can save you time and stress on busy weekdays. Focus on simple, nutritious dishes that everyone enjoys.
Use Sunday as a reset day. Organize the house, prepare outfits for the week, and make sure school bags and work items are ready. It will reduce the Monday morning scramble and help everyone start the week on the right foot.
Also Read: 3 Top Fashion Trends for Moms
Women, and especially moms, have sudden bursts of productivity where ‘not doing anything’ sends us on a guilt trip. But please, take that out of your system and be selfish with your rest time because you cannot pour out of an empty cup.
Allow yourself to relax without feeling the need to be productive every minute. Read a book, take a nap, or enjoy a hobby.
Adjusting as Kids Grow: Working Mom Schedules for Different Stages
When my first child was just a baby; my day was a mix of feedings, diaper changes, and squeezing in work during nap times. As our children grow, their needs change, and so does our daily routine.
Therefore, flexibility is a constant for moms. For instance, your work might revolve around your baby’s nap schedule, and that’s okay. Short bursts of productivity can add up throughout the day. As they become toddlers, they have more energy, which means incorporating their playtime into your schedule can help.
And when you have a working mom schedule with school age children, things shift again. School hours provide a more predictable block of time for work. But you’ll need to factor in homework help, extracurricular activities, and social events. It will mean adjusting your work hours slightly or finding creative solutions like carpooling with other parents.
Your Routine, Your Rules
It all comes down to the fact that you know your family best; my suggestion is to create a daily routine that fits your situation. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s perfectly fine.
Try different approaches and see what suits you. Maybe mornings are hectic, so you shift some tasks to the evening. Or you find that working in the early hours before everyone wakes up is your most productive time.
The goal is to find a balance. You’re already doing amazing, and with a little structure and grace, you can be the boss mama.
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FAQs
How to get ready for work with a baby?
Prioritize prep the night before. Lay out clothes, pack bags, and prepare bottles/meals. In the morning, keep your routine simple and engage your baby with toys or a safe play area while you get ready.
How can a working mum make life easier?
Automate and delegate where possible—there are no medals for doing it all yourself. Also, use meal prep, shared calendars, and routine schedules to manage daily tasks. Seek help from your support network for help with childcare and errands.
How do you balance self-care and being a mom?
Schedule self-care as you would any important appointment. Because if you won’t care for yourself, who would? Even short breaks for a walk, a spa day, or an everything shower can make you feel like a million bucks.
