I think most stay-at-home-mom's (SAHM) would agree that the worst question you could be asked is "What do you do all day?". This is often deemed as rude of offensive because the questions is usually asked under the assumption that we frivolously do nothing all day long, when in reality, most of us are doing chores around the house, cooking meals, grocery shopping, scheduling appointments and running our children, pets, cars, etc. to those appointments, all while feeding, educating and clothing our children in the midst of trying to take care of ourselves too. We are very busy. In fact, our job rarely has "breaks" or vacation time. An occasional afternoon where our child successfully naps for an extended period of time or sleeps soundly through the night can be far and few between. We treat silent car rides like an afternoon at the spa and we savor any outing by ourselves, until we remember why we're SAHM in the first place, to care for, love, and teach our children in the best way we know how, by being present.
Not all parents or families have the luxury of having a stay-at-home-parent. My husband and I have taken lots of steps to make sure I can stay home with our kids until Graham and our future children are in school full-time, and even so, we struggle at times to make sure this dream stays alive. We make financial, social and other sacrifices daily because we see the importance of having me home with our kids. We see the value in establishing a trusting, loving, and safe relationship from the moment our children are born and we see the power in the presence of a stay-at-home-parent. So if stay-at-home-parents don't frivolously do nothing all day long, then what does a semi-typical week look like? (I say semi-typical because let's be honest, there is some room for routine, and then the rest can go out the window really quick)
Key Points:
At this point, my schedule is primarily baby-led and based on my 3-month old's needs. I don't worry about doing things at specific times, but more aiming to carry out a predictable routine for both of us.
During the Day - When my son wakes up to eat, we always change his diaper, feed him, interact with him for an hour (play, sing songs, listen to music, read books, do tummy time, etc.) and then lay him down or rock him to sleep. Awake 1 hour + Nap 1 hour + repeat until around 6pm-7pm until the child is a bit older and can stay awake 2 hours and Nap 1 hour.
During the Night - When my son wakes up during the night to eat, we always change his diaper, feed him, and then immediately lay him down or rock him to sleep (always down in the dark or by night light).
Not all parents or families have the luxury of having a stay-at-home-parent. My husband and I have taken lots of steps to make sure I can stay home with our kids until Graham and our future children are in school full-time, and even so, we struggle at times to make sure this dream stays alive. We make financial, social and other sacrifices daily because we see the importance of having me home with our kids. We see the value in establishing a trusting, loving, and safe relationship from the moment our children are born and we see the power in the presence of a stay-at-home-parent. So if stay-at-home-parents don't frivolously do nothing all day long, then what does a semi-typical week look like? (I say semi-typical because let's be honest, there is some room for routine, and then the rest can go out the window really quick)
Key Points:
At this point, my schedule is primarily baby-led and based on my 3-month old's needs. I don't worry about doing things at specific times, but more aiming to carry out a predictable routine for both of us.
During the Day - When my son wakes up to eat, we always change his diaper, feed him, interact with him for an hour (play, sing songs, listen to music, read books, do tummy time, etc.) and then lay him down or rock him to sleep. Awake 1 hour + Nap 1 hour + repeat until around 6pm-7pm until the child is a bit older and can stay awake 2 hours and Nap 1 hour.
During the Night - When my son wakes up during the night to eat, we always change his diaper, feed him, and then immediately lay him down or rock him to sleep (always down in the dark or by night light).
- Sunday Church and family time
- Monday (Stay in or around the house)
- Wake up when baby wakes up (anywhere from 6am-9am)
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Mommy's workout + baby's floor exercises (kicking on a blanket and tummy time)
- Baby naps + Mom takes a shower and gets ready for the day + Mom eats breakfast
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom does chores + Mom eats lunch
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom makes dinner
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby + family dinner time
- Change baby's diaper
- Baby goes to bed for the night (anywhere from 6pm-9pm)
- Mom does chores + relaxes with Dad
- Tuesday (Stay in or around the house)
- Wake up when baby wakes up (anywhere from 6am-9am)
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Stroller ride (Mommy's 30 minute workout) + Baby naps + Mom takes a shower and gets ready for the day + Mom eats breakfast
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom does chores + Mom eats lunch
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom makes dinner
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby + family dinner time
- Bath + Change baby's diaper
- Baby goes to bed for the night (anywhere from 6pm-9pm)
- Mom does chores + relaxes with Dad
- Wednesday (errand and appointment day)
- Wake up when baby wakes up (anywhere from 6am-9am)
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Mommy's workout + baby's floor exercises (kicking on a blanket and tummy time)
- Baby naps + Mom takes a shower and gets ready for the day + Mom eats breakfast
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom and baby run errands + Mom eats lunch
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom makes dinner
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby + family dinner time
- Change baby's diaper
- Baby goes to bed for the night (anywhere from 6pm-9pm)
- Mom does chores + relaxes with Dad
- Thursday (errand and appointment day)
- Wake up when baby wakes up (anywhere from 6am-9am)
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Stroller ride (Mommy's 30 minute workout) + Baby naps + Mom takes a shower and gets ready for the day + Mom eats breakfast
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Mommy & Baby Library Class
- Baby naps + Mom does chores + Mom eats lunch
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom makes dinner
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby + family dinner time
- Change baby's diaper
- Baby goes to bed for the night (anywhere from 6pm-9pm)
- Mom does chores + relaxes with Dad
- Friday (errand and appointment day OR stay in or around the house)
- Wake up when baby wakes up (anywhere from 6am-9am)
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Mommy's workout + baby's floor exercises (kicking on a blanket and tummy time)
- Baby naps + Mom takes a shower and gets ready for the day + Mom eats breakfast
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom does chores OR Mom and baby run errands+ Mom eats lunch
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby
- Baby naps + Mom makes dinner
- Baby wakes
- Change baby's diaper
- Feed and burp baby
- Interact with baby + family dinner time
- Bath + Change baby's diaper
- Baby goes to bed for the night (anywhere from 6pm-9pm)
- Mom does chores + relaxes with Dad
- Saturday Errands and family time
What kind of routine does your family use? Is it parent-led, baby-led, of a combination of the two? Leave a note in the comments!
Happy Living & God's Blessings!
J.M.
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