Stay At Home Mom Tips: 27 Habits To Make Life Easier
Being a stay at home mom doesn’t need to be overwhelmingly difficult all the time, mama! There are many ways to lessen the overwhelm and make life feel easier. Keep reading for my top 27 stay at home mom tips that will help you go from surviving to thriving!
Stay at home mom tips are plentiful in our modern world. Unsolicited advice is given often, but I’m guessing you’re here because you are seeking some strong tips and advice! If you’re a stay at home mom, then you’re in the right place. I’ve been a SAHM now for about 9 years and I’ve had my share of ups and downs, hard moments and joyful ones, but I stopped letting overwhelm get the best of me after I had my second baby.
Mom burnout almost swallowed me whole when I was surviving the days of 2 children under 2 years old. I found many strategies to help me overcome the overwhelm and today I’m sharing those strategies and habits with you. If you’re feeling like you’re often “underwater” and drowning in motherhood, you’re not alone. But you also don’t have to feel that way forever! You can thrive and enjoy being a stay at home mom again. Keep reading for my best tips!
*This blog contains affiliate links, you can learn more at terms. Thank you for supporting my blog!
My Best Stay At Home Mom Tips for an Easier Lifestyle
Here are 27 says life can start feeling a little easier when you are a stay at home mom of young children. Not everyday will be perfect, obviously there are going to still be hard days, but I think with a little bit of consistency and practice these tips will help you for the better! Let’s dive in and make sure to read until the end for my ultimate resource for burnt out moms.
1. Create a Morning Routine
A good day starts with a good morning! And a consistent morning routine sets the tone for your entire day. There are many things you can do to help your mornings go smoother, but I’ll give you a couple example. If you’re up for it, wake up before your kids to enjoy a few moments of quiet, have a cup of coffee, or do some light exercise. This quiet time can help you feel more centered and ready to tackle the day. If waking up early is not your thing (hey, it’s me) then start your day by giving your kids a big hug and kiss to reconnect about time spent apart, then have breakfast together!
2. Plan Your Meals
Meal planning can save you a lot of time and stress, and even money. Spend some time each week planning your meals and making a grocery list. This will help you avoid last-minute scrambles for dinner and reduce the temptation to order takeout. I always like to grab a frozen pizza and bag of salad on my grocery shopping days to eat that night because it just feels easier. If you need help meal planning check out this amazing and realistic family meal plan.
3. Prep Meals in Advance
Take your meal planning a step further by prepping some meals in advance. Chop vegetables, cook meats, or make entire dishes that can be frozen and reheated later. This makes weeknight dinners much easier and quicker to prepare. Finding some really yummy crock pot meals can be helpful too for those busy sport nights!
4. Involve Kids in Chores
Stop thinking you need to do it all! As you’re kids grow up, teach them to help with chores. This will not only lighten your load but also teach your kids responsibility. Create age-appropriate tasks for your kids and make it fun with chore charts or reward systems. I think you’ll find out quickly that kids want to help out around the house and they enjoy it.
5. Use a Family Calendar
Keeping track of everyone’s schedules can be overwhelming and if you’re anything like me, if you don’t write something down you will forget about it. Use a family calendar to keep track of appointments, activities, and important dates. Digital calendars that sync across devices can be particularly helpful. I keep a traditional, paper wall calendar hung up in my kitchen that I write everything down on. This way my husband can see it and knows what’s going on and my kids are involved in it, as well!
6. Declutter Regularly
A cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind. Spend a few minutes each day decluttering a specific area of your home. Every few months, donate or throw away items you no longer need to keep your space tidy and manageable. Before big holidays and my kid’s birthdays, when I know they will get new toys, I go through the toys we have an donate anything that is not played with anymore. You can even start toy rotations, too. I hear good things about doing this, but I’ve never been able to create a great system. Check out this mom for toy rotation and independent play inspiration!
7. Designate a Cleaning Schedule
Instead of trying to clean the whole house in one day, break it down into manageable tasks throughout the week. Create a cleaning schedule that assigns different tasks to different days. This way, cleaning becomes less overwhelming because you are keeping up with it throughout the day. Small messes are way easier to clean than big messes, and honestly once a mess becomes so big you’re less likely to clean it because it becomes a daunting task.
8. Create a Command Center
A command center is a dedicated space where you keep important documents, mail, keys, and schedules. This helps keep everything organized and easily accessible, which means less rushing and stress for you and your kids.
9. Practice Self-Care
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Make time for self-care every single day, even if you only have 5 or 10 minutes. From reading a book to taking a bath or going for a walk, you need to care for yourself. It’s essential to being the best mom you can be, so don’t feel guilty about it. Drink enough water daily, eat right, exercise, and remember you matter!
10. Set Boundaries with Technology
I hate to say this, but the reason you’re not getting stuff done is because of your phone. Technology can be a huge time-sucker. Set boundaries for yourself around your phone. For example, I do not use my phone before 8 AM and I limit my time on it greatly between 3:00, when my kids get home from school, and bedtime. This allows me to be more intentional with my kids. Set boundaries for your kids regarding screen time, too! Designate tech-free times or areas in your home to encourage more family interaction and productive activities.
11. Get Outside Daily
Fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for your mood and energy levels. Make it a point to get outside with your kids every day, whether it’s a walk around the block, a trip to the park, or playing in the backyard. Being outside is so good for everyone’s mental and physical health, so just get outside, even for a few minutes.
12. Plan Playdates
I know sometimes getting out with your kids can be a lot, but connecting with other moms is so beneficial. Arranging playdates can provide a much-needed break and social interaction for both you and your kids. It’s also a great way to build a support network and share experiences. You’ll find a lot of what you’re going through as a mom, you’re not alone in. So find that one mom friend and support each other!
13. Get Yourself Ready For the Day
Getting ready for the day can be an impactful mindset shift. Take the time to shower, get dressed, put on a little makeup, and style your hair. This will help you feel “more like you” and feel more awake, motivated, and ready to take on the day. While sitting in pajamas all day might feel more relaxing, it can also make you feel tired and less likely to get things done. So get ready, because when you look better, you feel better, and you do better!
14. Automate What You Can
Take advantage of technology to automate routine tasks and get some help getting things done. Set up automatic bill payments so you don’t forget them, use grocery delivery services for busy weeks, and schedule regular maintenance for your home and car.
15. Create a Bedtime Routine
When you’re a stay at home mom and you’ve been with your kids all day, sometimes bedtime can’t come soon enough. A consistent bedtime routine helps kids wind down and prepares them for a good night’s sleep. And young kids are usually ready for bed by 7-7:30 PM. This can give you a good chunk of quiet time in the evening to relax, recharge, and spend time with your husband/spouse.
16. Encourage Independent Play
Teaching and encouraging your kids to play independently is good for their development and gives you a little time to yourself. If you’re a mom who doesn’t like playing make believe with your kids, first off you’re not alone! Second, independent play can be done right next to you while you clean up or even take a quick break. Right now, while I write this blog sitting at my kitchen table, my 3 year is playing with toys in the kitchen right next to me! All you have to do is have a safe space where they can explore and play on their own.
17. Stay Connected with Your Partner
When you have a few kids and a busy schedule, it can be easy to lose sight of your partner. Make time to connect with your partner regularly. Whether it’s a weekly date night (they can be done at home!) or just a few minutes to chat each evening, maintaining a strong relationship is important for your family’s well-being and for the both of you. So, touch base each night and talk about your day!
18. Learn to Say No
It’s ok to say no to activities or commitments that add unnecessary stress. Focus on what’s most important to you and your family, and don’t feel guilty about turning down other obligations. Do what’s best for you and know that setting boundaries is a healthy part of being a stay at home mom.
19. Keep Up With Laundry
Since laundry is the bane of all mom’s existence, it seems, make sure you’re keeping up with it. No one wants piles and piles of laundry building up that it becomes too overwhelming to even tackle. I’m so passionate about helping moms keep up with their laundry that I created a laundry guide for stay at home moms. Create the most epic laundry routine ever so you’re never behind and you don’t have to do it on weekends either!
20. Set Realistic Expectations
You don’t have to be a supermom. You don’t have to do it all in order to be a good mom. Set realistic expectations for yourself and your children. Understand that some days will be harder than others, and that’s ok. Remember that being a stay at home mom is hard and demanding and your children are young, so take your expectations and lower them immensely!
21. Incorporate Exercise
Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and energy. Find activities that you enjoy and that fit into your schedule, whether it’s a yoga session, a dance class, or a quick workout at home. Moving your body for just 10 to 20 minutes a day will help you feel more like yourself and lift your mood to prepare you for a day with your kids!
22. Join a Mom Group
This is one of my favorite stay at home mom tips! You need a village, or at least one go-to stay at home mom friend. Joining a local mom group can provide support, advice, and a sense of community, which is so crucial in our world. Sharing experiences with other moms can truly help you feel less alone, more understood, and reminded that you are doing a great job! And while online groups can be great sometimes, I encourage you to find an in-person mom’s group for more connection and trust.
23. Teach Your Kids Responsibility
Involving your children in the running of your (and their) household teaches them valuable life skills. Give them age-appropriate responsibilities and praise their efforts to help build their confidence and independence. It takes a lot of work to maintain a home, allow your children to see that first hand by teaching them about responsibility and accountability.
24. Use Time Blocks
Time blocking is an effective way to manage your day. Divide your day into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks or activities that go together. For example, if you need to go grocery shopping one day, make sure to run all the errands you need to do outside of your home during that block of time, so you’re not running out multiple times a day. This can help you stay focused and ensure that everything gets done and gets done in a timely manner.
25. Read with Your Kids
Reading with your children is a wonderful way to bond and promote a love of learning. Set aside time each day to read together, whether it’s a bedtime story or a quiet afternoon activity. Reading is a great way to settle down and relax before bedtime or nap time too, making your life feel a whole lot easier!
26. Create a Flexible Schedule
While schedules are helpful, it’s also important to be flexible with them. Allow for some wiggle room in your schedule to accommodate unexpected events or changes in plans without feeling stressed. When your day is planned out, you’ll be able to get more done, feel more productive and accomplished, and your day will most likely run smoother. This is truly key in maintaining your sanity and not becoming so overwhelmed each day in your life with young children!
27. Celebrate Small Wins
Acknowledge and celebrate the small victories in your day-to-day life, because they matter! Whether it’s getting through a tough day or your child reaching a milestone, take time to appreciate these moments and give yourself credit for all you do. And when you have a bad day or a good day, you are giving your very best everyday, so always remember that is enough! If you got this far in my post, then you just got the best of my stay at home mom tips! 😉
Final thoughts
Motherhood is a journey filled with both beautiful and challenging moments. By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can create a more balanced, enjoyable, and less overwhelming life for yourself and your family. Remember, it’s okay to take things one step at a time and to prioritize your well-being. Keep a few of these stay at home mom tips (or all of them) in mind each day to see how you can shift your days into sometimes overwhelming to something joyful. You deserve to thrive, mama!
The Motherhood Burnout Guide
If you’ve read this blog and think you need to work on many of these things, then take these stay at home mom tips a bit further. My new resource, The Motherhood Burnout Guide is for stay at home moms who are feeling depleted of energy, feeling like they’re drowning in motherhood, and just surviving each day. In this guide you’ll learn my best kept secrets to help you go from surviving to thriving in a few short weeks. Start feeling more like yourself and more like the mama you always dreamed you would be. Click the image below to learn more!
If you found these stay at home mom tips helpful, then use the image below to share to your favorite Pinterest board!
Related Blogs:
- Real Life Stay At Home Mom Daily Schedule Template
- How To Get A Break When You’re A Stay At Home Mom
- Empowering Stay At Home Moms To Thrive In Their Motherhood Journey
- 5 Awesome Stay At Home Mom Lessons That Will Help You Feel Less Guilty
- 10 Baby Items You Don’t Need For Your Newborn
- Advice for New Moms: 20 Real Things You’ll Want To Know
Sharing is caring! If you found these stay at home moms tips helpful, please share this blog with your mama friends! Just use the share buttons below. Thank you for your support! You can can also support me by following me on Instagram @justabasicmama for even more tips and daily stay at home mom life!
Leave a Reply