How To Prioritize Yourself When You’re A Stay At Home Mom

Alessandra | Posted on February 10, 2025 |

Moms often have a hard time prioritizing themselves for many reasons. In this blog, let’s discuss why it’s so difficult and how to prioritize yourself daily when you’re a stay at home mom so you don’t completely burn yourself out!

If you’re wondering how to prioritize yourself when you’re home with your children all day, you’re in the right place! I’m passionate about helping stay at home moms focus on themselves so they can be the best mom they can be. We all know being a stay at home mom (SAHM) is a full-time job with no clock-out time. You are on the clock literally 24/7. And between tending to your kids’ needs, managing your home and chores, plus juggling daily activities and responsibilities, it’s way too easy to forget about your own well-being. If you constantly feel like you’re running on empty, it’s time to start prioritizing yourself so you don’t become totally burnt out. Keep reading to learn some practical ways you can start prioritizing yourself every single day, even if you’re a SAHM, plus get a freebie to help you out even more!

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Why Do I Struggle to Prioritize Myself as a Stay at Home Mom?

I know you probably know how important it is to focus on yourself, but you might be wondering why the heck it’s so hard to do. You know you’ll be a better mom if you take care of yourself, you’ve heard the old adage “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” yet you continue to day after day put yourself last. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone! Many stay at home moms struggle to put themselves first due to a variety of reasons. Here are just a few of them below:

Mom guilt: You may feel like focusing on yourself takes away from your kids. And we have society to help us think that way!
Lack of time: Your day is packed with caregiving and household tasks, leaving you feeling like there’s little room for anything else.
Unrealistic expectations: Again, society. It often pushes the idea that good moms should be self-sacrificing at all times.
Mental exhaustion: When you’re overwhelmed with all the other things, it’s hard to find the energy to plan for self-care.
Loss of identity: After years of prioritizing your family’s needs, you may feel unsure of what self-care even looks like for you anymore.

Why Is It Important to Prioritize Myself When I’m a Stay at Home Mom?

Now that you know why you may be struggling with this, it’s important to note why it’s so important to prioritize yourself. Taking care of yourself is truly essential for not only you, but your family too! When you keep that in mind, it can be easier to find the time for yourself without feeling guilty about it. Here’s why:

You can’t pour from an empty cup. I know it’s so cliche, but taking care of yourself allows you to better take care of your family.
You’ll be a happier mom! When you feel fulfilled, you show up with more patience, joy, and energy for your children. Shouldn’t that be enough right there?
You set an example! Your kids learn the importance of self-care by watching you practice it. Mind blown!
Your health matters. Ignoring your needs leads to burnout, stress, and even physical health issues. And you definitely can’t show up for your family if you’re sick all the time.
You deserve it. Motherhood doesn’t mean you stop being a person with your own needs and desires. Plain and simple!

How To Prioritize Yourself as a Stay at Home Mom In 10 Practical Steps

Alright, mama, now you know why you struggle with prioritizing yourself, and you even know why it’s so important! Now it’s time to dive into the good stuff. Below I’m sharing 10 very practical ways you can start prioritizing yourself every single day. Chances are you probably make this harder on yourself, so I think once you read these tips you’re going to say to yourself, “wow I can do this!” If you don’t want to deal with mom burnout anymore, you’ll want to keep reading these tips!

1. Wake Up Early

I don’t like to tell moms to wake up before their kids, because for many of us sleep is so precious. But I do recommend waking up early. Set an alarm for 6:30 or 7:00 to start your day without rushing. If you do want to try waking up before your kids, even 15 minutes of quiet time before the chaos starts can make a difference. Use this time to drink your coffee hot, stretch, or just enjoy the silence. Pick something you really love to do and do it!

2. Create a Non-Negotiable Daily Self Care Routine

You’re probably thinking, “this isn’t practical, Alessandra, what are you even thinking?!” But hear me out. You’re daily self care routine doesn’t need to be difficult (another thing society has told us is harder than it is.) Your non-negotiable self care can be something you’re probably already doing, like a skincare routine, painting your nails, reading, eating a hot breakfast, or simply sitting outside for fresh air. Just make one small act of self-care a daily priority because it really will only take 10 minutes of your time. And we all have 10 minutes.

3. Teach Your Kids Independent Play

Encouraging your children to play on their own gives you small pockets of time to focus on yourself without guilt. This can give you time to read for a few minutes, wash the dishes, or eat a meal. It’s ok and it’s SO healthy for your young children to play independently. It’s truly a skill and you can work on it with your kids from a young age. If you need help working on independent play, I always send moms to this amazing mom and therapist for help on this subject: Andrea Brambila @brambila_bits on Instagram.

4. Set Boundaries With Your Family

Setting healthy boundaries is so important for everyone’s well-being and it’s a great way to prioritize yourself easily. Let your husband/partner and your kids know when you need time for yourself. Communicating your needs helps set expectations and prevents burnout. If you’re a Bluey fan, there’s a great episode when Chili, the mom, says she “needs 20 minutes.” And she even explains it to her kids why it’s important to her because they feel sad about it. It’s a great learning opportunity for everyone! If you haven’t seen it, the episode is called “Sheepdog” and I promise it’s worth the watch!

5. Simplify Household Tasks

While cleaning might not be at the top of everyone’s list of priorities, it’s still pretty important. But you also don’t have to be cleaning all the time. Try to lower your expectations a bit and create simple routines to help you avoid spending all day cleaning. A 10 minute tidy-up and cleaning as you go can free up more time for yourself.

6. Get Outside Daily

It’s extremely beneficial to get outside everyday, even when it’s cold. Fresh air, a little vitamin D, and a change of scenery can do wonders for your mood. Getting outside is great for your kids too, and can even feel like a little break for you. Try taking a short walk, playing in your backyard, or just sitting outside with a cup of tea. This can be a small but impactful way to prioritize yourself, especially if you don’t have a lot of help.

7. Find a Hobby That’s Just for You

Social media likes to glorify that fact that moms don’t or shouldn’t have hobbies. If you think you don’t have time for a hobby, think again! This blog is all about creating the time for you, and that means hobbies too. You can rediscover an old passion or start something new. Crafting, writing, yoga, or anything that makes you feel like YOU beyond being a mom, is a great place to start! Take this blog for example, I started this blog after my second child was born so I could have a creative outlet for myself.

8. Ask for Help (And Accept It!)

It is ok to ask for help! You don’t have to do everything alone. Even if it feels hard to let go of the reigns and let others do things, it will help you in the long run and you’ll feel so much better. Let your husband/partner, your kids, or even friends step in so you can take a break without feeling guilty. You’ll find that the people who care about you most truly want to help you out.

9. Take Breaks Throughout the Day

It’s quite alright to take little breaks throughout the day to keep your calm. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment for “me time,” try to take 5 minute moments to yourself during the day. Sit down in a quiet room and breathe, close and lock the door when you go to the bathroom (IYKYK), or listen to a song that lifts your mood and dance it out. Just a couple minutes to kind of turn off your brain can make all the difference!

10. Let Go of the Guilt

Lastly, stop feeling so guilty about everything, especially prioritizing yourself. I was told once that guilt is a choice, so take that with you, repeat it to yourself often, and shift your mindset a bit. Remember that prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish, it’s actually necessary to be a better mom! Remind yourself in all those quick moments that taking care of YOU is also taking care of your family because it helps to make you a better, happier mom for your kids. And that’s not something you should feel guilty about, it’s something you should feel good about!

Struggling with guilt and mom burnout? Check out The Motherhood Burnout Guide below.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a stay at home mom of one or a few kids, young or older, learning how to prioritize yourself doesn’t need to be hard. And you don’t have to wait until you’re completely burnt out to start prioritizing yourself either. By making small daily changes, you can make a huge impact on your mental and physical well-being. Which is important for you and your family. Being a stay at home mom is important, and so are YOU! Take the time to care for yourself mama, because you truly deserve it!

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