I have been a stay-at-home mom for the last five and half years, and I’ve just reached a huge milestone: both of my kids are in school! I always told myself I would return to my career when my daughters were school-aged, but I’ve found the value of being home full-time to outweigh the benefits of working outside the home. I love being available to my husband and kids, and I find joy and fulfillment in maintaining a tidy, peaceful environment. I’m not certain about what the future holds, but for now, stay-at-home mom is still the right role for me.
Since being a homemaker is not commonly recognized as a “real job,” people are always curious about what I do to pass the time. While each day looks a little different, I have plenty to stay busy and feel productive.
Here’s a glimpse into one day as a stay-at-home mom
6:00 a.m. – Morning Routine
I like to wake up and have 15-20 minutes of quiet time to collect myself and set a cheerful tone for the morning. Then I wake up my kids, feed them breakfast (fruit with oatmeal or toast), help them get ready, and drop them off at school.
7:30 a.m. – Tidy and Chat
When I get back home, I run a load of laundry, tidy the kitchen, and spend a moment chatting with my husband before he leaves for work.
8:00 a.m. – Self-Care
For my health and sanity, I try to squeeze in some form of exercise each day. I alternate between yoga, dumbbell workouts, and going for a walk. When I’m done, I take a shower, get myself ready for the day, and eat breakfast.
9:00 a.m. – Volunteer
Twice a week, I go back to the girls’ school to volunteer for a couple of hours. It’s a fun, easy way to stay involved, and support their hardworking teachers and staff.
11:00 a.m. – Errands and Housework
I usually run errands, like picking up groceries and exchanging books at the library. I might also do some deep cleaning or decluttering when I get home.
12:00 p.m. – Create Digital Content
Although I don’t work a traditional job, I have a website and social media channels that I have been monetizing for the last few years. I loathe the title “Influencer,” but basically brands pay me to create content sharing my experience and honest opinion about their products. I primarily partner with food companies, and occasionally I promote children’s books, educational toys, and household essentials. I set aside time each day to edit images, film short videos, write blog posts, and respond to emails.
2:00 p.m. – After School Routine
Time to pick up the kids! I like to get to the car line early and read a book while I wait. Once I’ve got my kiddos, we head home to have a snack and talk about their day. We also clean out their backpacks and pack their lunchboxes for the following day.
3:30 p.m. – Make dinner
I cook dinner early on afternoons when we have extracurricular activities. We get home around 6:30 p.m., and I like knowing that nutritious food is ready for us to eat. My kids either hang out with me in the kitchen, have screen time, or play upstairs.
4:30 p.m. – Activities
Lately, we’ve been busy with ballet and swim classes. While I wait for my kids to finish, I might meal plan, socialize with other parents, continue editing social media content, or read more of my book.
6:30 p.m. – Dinner
My husband is always home by now and we all sit together at the table for dinner. Screens are turned off and we focus on being present for this short time.
7:00 p.m. – Nighttime routine
I give the kitchen, dining room, and living room one last tidy while my husband helps our kids shower and prepare for sleep. Then we have a family story time and tuck them into their beds.
8:00 p.m. – Relaxation
Once the kids are asleep, I get myself ready for bed. It’s hard, but I try not to spend too much time mindlessly scrolling on social media at night. My husband and I might watch TV together or talk more about our day and make plans for the rest of the week.
10:00 p.m. – Bedtime
By this time, I’m exhausted, so I hop into bed and rest up for another full day!
