Practical Morning and Evening Routines (For Working Moms)

Juggling the responsibilities of a career with motherhood can definitely be challenging. There is no question about that! Establishing a good routine is one of my favorite strategies to help with all the chaos.

Not only can a well-structured routine help with managing your time more effectively, but it can also reduce stress and help promote a healthier state of mind. Work-life balance is essential.
Allowing for efficient task management along with a sense of predictability helps bring clarity, as well as a sense of control. This is instrumental when it comes to navigating the busy (and demanding) life of a working mom!

Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining your well-being. These morning and evening routines for working moms are designed with self-care and organization in mind. So, you can the important stuff done without neglecting yourself.

Morning Routine #1: Working From Home

This morning routine is geared towards the stay-at-home mom or mom that works from home.

6:30am: Start the day with a short 10-minute meditation and breathing exercise. You can also incorporate some affirmations for self-care.
7:00am: Put together breakfast for the family and pack lunches.

7:30am: Get dressed and help the kids with their school preparations.
8:30am: Drop off kids at school.
9:00am: Go for a 20-minute brisk walk or home exercise.

9:30am: Start your work or daily chores.
12:00pm: Break for lunch! Enjoy a healthy lunch like a salad with grilled chicken or a quinoa bowl

Morning Routine #2: Early Bird Office-Going Mom

This routine starts a bit earlier but focuses on the office-going mom.

5:30am: Start the day by drinking a full glass of water to hydrate, followed by a 15-minute meditation or stretch.
6:00am: Prepare breakfast for the family and pack lunches.
6:30am: Enjoy a hot shower, get dressed, and get ready for the day ahead.

7:00am: Wake up the kids and help them get ready for school. Meanwhile, put together breakfast and prepare lunches.
7:45am: Sit down for breakfast.
8:15am: Tidy up the breakfast area and pick up anything that needs to be put away.

8:30am: Leave for kids’ school drop-off.
8:45am: Leave for work.
9:00am: Start your workday with a clear mind and a cup of your favorite coffee or tea.

12:00pm: Take a break from work and enjoy a nutritious lunch.

Morning Routine #3: The 45-Minute Commuter

Not everyone has a breezy/fast commute. This routine focuses on a commute that may take at least 45 minutes.

6:30am: Awaken and begin your day with 10 minutes of mindful meditation or simple yoga stretches to center your mind and body. You can also write a gratitude list to help you feel centered for the day.

7:00am: Prepare breakfast for the family and pack lunches while listening to your favorite podcast or music.
7:30am: Enjoy a shower, prepping for the day and getting ready.
8:00am: Depart for work, beginning your commute with a positive podcast or audiobook for mental stimulation and growth.

8:45am: Arrive at work, set your goals for the day, and organize your workspace.
9:00am: Begin work, focusing on the most challenging tasks while your mind is still fresh.
12:00pm: Break for a nourishing lunch full of proteins and greens to keep your energy levels up for the rest of the day.

Evening Routine #1: Balanced Routine

This evening routine is all about family-self-work balance.

4:30pm: Arrive home from work. Take a few moments to decompress from your day. Enjoy a soothing cup of tea or listen to some calming music to transition from your work mind to your home mode.
5:00pm: Begin preparing dinner while engaging the kids in conversation about their day. This involvement can help them feel valued while building bonds.

5:30pm: While dinner cooks, spend some time with the kids, perhaps helping them with their homework or playing a game.
6:00pm: Have dinner as a family. This is an opportunity to bond and discuss the day’s events or any upcoming activities.
6:30pm: Clear up after dinner with help from the kids. Assigning them simple tasks teaches responsibility as well as teamwork.

7:00pm: Begin winding down activities for the kids. This could include calming activities like reading a book together or watching a short movie.
7:30pm: Start the kids’ bedtime routine which might involve a bath, brushing teeth, and tucking them in bed with a bedtime story.
8:00pm: Kids’ bedtime. Use this quiet time for your self-care routine. This might involve a relaxing bath, a short yoga session, or some quiet reading.

8:30pm: Use the remainder of your time before your partner time for personal tasks or activities, like planning for the next day or pursuing a hobby.
9:00pm: End the day with some quality time with your partner. This could be watching your favorite show together, discussing your day, or simply sitting in peaceful silence. Remembering to nurture your relationship is as important as taking care of your family and yourself.

Evening Routine #2: Fitness-Focused & Self-Care Routine

Remember, self-care is important. This routine focuses on self-care and physical exercise and fitness.

4:00pm: Arrive home from work, take a moment to transition from work to home mode, getting yourself in the mindset to engage with your family and home responsibilities.
4:30pm: Start preparing dinner. Opt for something healthy and easy to prepare, like a vegetable stir-fry or a baked dish that can cook while you attend to other activities.
5:00pm: While dinner is cooking, engage with your kids. This could be helping them with their homework, playing a game, or simply having a chat about their day.

5:30pm: Serve dinner as a family. This is a great time to connect and discuss the day’s events or any upcoming plans.
6:00pm: Tidy up from dinner together. Assigning the kids simple tasks can teach them responsibility and teamwork.
6:30pm: Start your yoga or exercise. Encourage the kids to join in with some simple stretches or exercises to help them start developing their own fitness habits.

7:00pm: Wind down activities for the kids. This could involve a quiet game, reading a book together, or watching a short, calming video.
7:30pm: Begin the kids’ bedtime routine. This might involve a bath, brushing their teeth, and tucking them in bed with a bedtime story.
8:00pm: Kids’ bedtime. Use this quiet time for your own relaxation or self-care. This might be some quiet reading, meditation, or simply enjoying a cup of herbal tea.

8:30pm: Use this time to catch up on personal tasks, like planning for the next day, responding to personal emails, or pursuing a hobby.
9:00pm: Conclude the day with some quiet reflection or journaling. Reflecting on the day can help you recognize your achievements and plan for any challenges the next day may bring.

Evening Routine #3: Working Late Mom Routine

Sometimes, work doesn’t wrap up at 5pm sharp. This routine is for moms that work late or have long evening commutes.

6:00pm: Get home from work, immediately start preparing a quick yet nutritious dinner like a pasta salad with plenty of veggies or a speedy stir-fry.
6:30pm: While dinner is cooking, engage with your kids about their day. This could be helping them with homework, playing a quick game, or simply asking about their experiences at school from the day.
7:00pm: Enjoy dinner as a family. This is a great opportunity to connect and discuss the day’s events or any upcoming plans that may be on the horizon.

7:30pm: Quickly clean up from dinner with help from the kids. Assign them simple tasks which can teach them responsibility and teamwork.
7:45pm: Initiate the kids’ bedtime routine which may include a warm bath, brushing their teeth, and tucking them in with a bedtime story.
8:00pm: Kids’ bedtime. Now, take a 10-minute break for your self-care activity. This could be a short meditation, a soothing cup of herbal tea, or simply sitting in peaceful silence.

8:15pm: Spend the next 45 minutes catching up on personal tasks, like planning for the next day, responding to personal emails, or tidying up the home.
9:00pm: Use the remaining 30 minutes for relaxation. This could include reading a chapter of a book, practicing deep breathing, or writing in a journal reflecting on the day.
9:30pm: End the day in tranquility, ensuring you’ve set yourself up for success for the following day. Remember, it’s important to prioritize your needs and well-being, despite the demands of work and family.

When it comes to routines, you do not need to follow them every single day, either. If you incorporate a routine like this a few times a week, you will notice yourself beginning to naturally follow it.

Sometimes, it can feel as though we do not have enough time in the day to complete all of our tasks. While many people do well with strict routines, other people do well with time-blocking or more relaxed routines. It’s best to follow what works best with you, and what you’re most productive with.

I hope these sample routines help you build a bit of structure into your busy day. You can always modify them to work better for you, depending on your unique needs and situation.