How To Be An Organized Stay At Home Mom
The moment that I knew I was going to be a stay-at-home mom when my daughter was born, I knew that I need to be an organized stay-at-home mom.
As some of you may know, I do not like clutter.
I can’t stand it because it makes me feel so unorganized.
And when I am unorganized, I am ineffective.
And as a mom when I am ineffective, it makes for a very bad “mom” day.
I wrote an entire post on decluttering the different areas of your home and where to start if decluttering feels overwhelming to you.
Just like decluttering can feel like you are taking back control of your home, being more organized can help you take back control of your life.
When you are more organized, you will not only notice that your days are much smoother, but your mood will also be a lot better.
I could be just speaking for myself, but being an organized mom has helped me in a number of ways mentally and I am a lot more productive because of it.
But I know that not everyone is like me.
So, I want to share what works for me and my family and how you can be a more organized stay-at-home mom to your family.
If you are interested in learning how to be an organized stay-at-home mom, then just keep reading.
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Are Stay At Home Moms Lazy?
Before I get into my tips on how to be an organized stay-at-home mom, let’s address this question because this seems to be an assumption made about stay-at-home moms.
I know there are some people who consider stay-at-home moms to be making the ultimate sacrifice by putting their life on hold to take care of their kids so they wouldn’t say this.
But there are definitely others who truly believe that stay-at-home moms are lazy and don’t do anything all day.
In fact, it is often assumed that stay at home must have it easy because they get to be home all day with the kids and don’t have to wake up to go to a job.
As much as many of us wish this was the case, it is simply the opposite.
Stay at home moms actually juggle multiple roles while also mothering their children.
According to Mom Chipper, just a few of those roles are:
- Manages household chores
- Oversees children and overall development
- Meal planning
- Creates and manages financial budget
- Maintains overall vibe of the home
I have been a stay-at-home mom since my daughter was born a year and a half ago and I can say that being a stay-at-home mom is far from lazy.
And it is because your kids will not allow you to be lazy.
Especially small children.
In order to thrive as a stay-at-home mom, you need to have a plan and that starts with becoming organized and being intentional about it.
With that said, let’s get into how you can become an organized mom.
How To Be An Orgnaized Stay At Home Mom
Create A Morning Routine
The very first habit you need to be a more organized stay-at-home mom is to create a morning routine.
By having a morning routine, I am essentially setting my day up for success.
Mornings are so vital because they are the starting point of the day and your morning can either make or break your day.
If you read my previous post on the simple things I do every morning as a stay-at-home mom of a toddler, then you know I have an alarm set to get up every morning before she does.
Even though I do not have an actual job to go to, I still treat motherhood like it is a job.
And since I treat what I do at home with my daughter as a job, I like to make sure I get up and get dressed to look more put together.
I know a lot of my days that I view as productive usually start with what I do first thing in the morning.
Keep A Planner/To-Do List
If a morning routine is the first thing you need to be a more organized mom, then having a planner is next.
Having a sense of what your day looks like will make you less overwhelmed and a planner or a to-do list will do just that.
I know that with technology it is easy to put events and appointments into our phones and tablets and if you prefer to keep up with things like that, then, by all means, keep it up.
However, if you are like me, I like to write stuff down as well.
I don’t know if it’s because I commit it to memory better or what but I just have a preference to write stuff down.
When I am brainstorming blog ideas or taking notes, I normally write them down first.
I might take notes on my phone if I’m on the go or don’t have pen and paper readily available, but I love to write down what I’m thinking.
Plan Your Meals
Now I have a confession. I am terrible at meal planning.
Absolutely terrible.
After becoming a first-time mom, I now know the importance of meal planning.
Having a toddler will make you at least start thinking about meals because you want to make sure they are getting all of their nutrients.
I am still terrible, but I am aiming to get better because this is an area I want to improve greatly.
I have found it easy to start with a couple of days instead of the whole week.
For instance, our family loves pizza and spaghetti so we do pizza on Fridays and spaghetti on Wednesdays.
I am aware that not everyone likes to eat the same thing every week and we don’t like to either.
Those are just some of our easy favorites so we will likely have those every week.
The idea here is to simply get into the mode of meal planning so by starting with a couple of days, you can then progress towards the entire 7 days.
Do Daily Cleaning Tasks
Cleaning is a part of being more organized whether we want to admit it or not.
By cleaning and tidying up daily, we maintain a clean and organized home for our families.
Now I know for my mommas with small children, like me, this is always much easier said than done.
But, I actually wrote an entire blog post about the simple daily habits that I do keep a clean home with my toddler running around.
I even provide a list of what I do every evening to make sure my mornings are mess-free.
I’m not asking you to do a full-on cleaning session every day.
Just little tasks to keep up the house on a daily basis.
If you are not up for doing a little cleaning every day, then you are welcome to tackle it all in one day.
But I am telling you, a little a day goes a long way.
Have A Place For Everything
Storage bins have changed my life ever since I have discovered them and they can change yours too when you start to utilize them properly.
They can instantly make an area look cleaner because all of the items can go in that bin instead of laid everywhere.
I personally use storage bins in closets, cabinets, and even drawers.
They truly come in handy and can even allow you to sort your items.
Most of the storage bins I have gotten have come from Target, Home Goods, and Ikea because I have just found them to be the most sturdy and last the longest.
When you have a place for everything, you will not have to worry about where something goes.
This actually makes it easier to declutter, because you can go through each bin and figure out what needs to go.
Create A Night Routine
My last tip for how to be an organized stay-at-home mom is to create a night routine.
I feel like I can’t mention creating a morning routine without mentioning creating a night routine as well.
A morning routine sets you up for an organized, productive day.
A night routine sets your body up to be refueled in order to be productive and organized the following day.
My night routine begins the moment I put my daughter down.
She has a nighttime routine of her own that she has down and keeps her sleep all night long.
I normally stay up working on my blog for a little while before I officially retire for the evening.
The goal is to be done blogging by 11 pm every night, but I’m not going to lie I stay up later sometimes.
I don’t make it a habit but even I get caught up writing and blogging that time gets away from me but the moment, I get done, it is time to shut it down.
And for me, shutting it down starts with getting in some comfy pajamas, engaging in some skincare, and getting comfortable in the bed.
I suffer from insomnia so it is vital that I create a setting for sleep because sleep often evades me at night if I don’t properly set myself up.
Your Turn
Now that I have shared some good habits that I do to be an organized stay-at-home mom, I want to hear from you. I want to hear how you all are being more organized as a mom. Would you use these recommendations I mentioned above? Let me know in the comments below and while you are still here check out my previous blog post. Until next time!
- Read More: Teaching Your Toddler Good Habits Early On
Love,
Just Jass
73 Comments
Melisa
To-do lists are my life savers! Without writing my tasks down, I would totally forget them and there is no better feeling than crossing off a completed task!
Jasmyn Wilkins
To-Do Lists are my life-savers too! I can barely function without them! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Shola
I can’t go without to do lists! Thanks for sharing.
Jasmyn Wilkins
Me either! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Natasha
Great post. All if these points are so important to be organised. My morning routine and daily planning really help me, however I just can’t get organised with my cleaning
Jasmyn Heard
Thank you and what has helped me with cleaning is keeping it simple and doing small things daily!
Cathy
Great post!! Thank you so much for this! 🙂
Jasmyn Wilkins
You are very welcome and I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Phylecia M
Thanks for the recommendations. One of my biggest organization problems is not planning meals in advance. One day I’ll do it. Baby steps… ?
Jasmyn Wilkins
I am so bad at meal planning, but I am getting better! I’m so glad that you loved these recommendations!
Elya
Great read. Starting a morning routine is the hardest part for me. I am not a morning person. This quarantine business has really been a motivator to set up the routine.
Jasmyn Wilkins
Morning routines are a great place to start! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Leeandra
Great habits to have, I need to work on being a little more organized.
Jasmyn Wilkins
We could all be a little more organized! I’m glad that you enjoyed this post!
Lara
Amazing tips! I wrote a post about this too but I’ve definitely learned new things here!! Love your writing ❤
Jasmyn Wilkins
Thank you so much! I’m glad that you enjoyed this post!
Sweet C
All wonderful tips and I will be sure to refer people to this post in the future!
Jasmyn Wilkins
Thank you! I’m glad that you loved these tips!
Juju Holden
I love my morning routine! But I definitely to improve my to-do lists…. Thank you!!
Jasmyn Wilkins
I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Jewels
Some really great tips, thanks for these!
Jasmyn Wilkins
You are very welcome! I’m so glad that you enjoyed these tips!
Sean Wolfe
My wife does all of these things. I am ADHD, so it doesn’t work as well for me. It is hard to set a routine, because I will try to disrupt it or distractions will happen. She is also in charge of the bank account, which is a blessing, because I would spend it all. I loved your post, because it reminds me of what my wife needs and how my disorganized ways probably annoy her at times, thus giving me the ability to realize when I might be doing something very disorganized.
Jasmyn Wilkins
Your wife sounds likes like my type of woman! What a blessing it must be to have her in your life! I’m glad that you enjoyed this post!
Vanessa Silva
I always create to do lists, it’s just hard to keep up with them!
Jasmyn Wilkins
What has helped me has been to write down just 3 things I want to do that day instead of a super long list! It doesn’t feel as overwhelming this way! I hope this helps!
Under flowery sky
Splendid post, I love getting up early and doing
to-do list. Thanks for the tips.
Jasmyn Wilkins
Thank you! I’m so glad that you enjoyed these tips!
Miss Relaxed
Hey!!!! Honestly, I really loved reading your blogpost! I also keep storage bins in my drawers and closet and also I make sure everything is organized! To-do list for me is very important too and that’s what I do the moment I wake up! One thing I struggle with is meal planning ! I am absolutely horrible at it ! I kind of like your idea of making your favourite dish on specific days of the week! My nighttime routine is simply to stay awake till 10.00 for my YouTube channel (and now I have a blog which is literally 2 days old) ! But I feel now i might have to stay awake for a while (I will try not to)
By the way I loved when you write being more organized means reclaiming your life!
Excellently written! I would be coming back to read more ! Let’s stay connected !!! 🙂
Jasmyn Wilkins
I am also very terrible at meal planning! It is one of the things I want to work on more! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post and I hope to see you around here more 🙂
Alexandra
As someone already said, to-do lists are time savers! I write down everything – from meeting with my friends, reading to cleaning. Great post Jass!
Jasmyn Wilkins
That is so funny because I have wrote something as silly as getting dressed down before lol. It is whatever works! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Rikafenn
Fab post. Since been the pandemic started and our daily lives have been disrupted I have totally fallen out of a routine. I seriously need to get back into one!
Jasmyn Wilkins
This pandemic has thrown a lot of us out of our normal routines. This is how I have been able to be more organized and I hope this helps you too! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Trevann
Yes I swear by planners. I’m a night owl so I do my work at night and I really need to get better storage for real. What helps me is also limiting my time on social media using certain apps.
Jasmyn Wilkins
I’m actually a night owl myself so I have to make sure I log off of social media at a good time or I will be up scrolling all night. I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Jenny
I have already ordered my 2021 planner. I love this brand. And I am happy to see that the new CEO is dedicated to making things right at Erin Condren. I truly love that brand.
Jasmyn Wilkins
I love them too! I’m glad that I am not the only one!
Claris
Having a place for everything is something I should work on, and I’m so glad you brought it up in this post. Thanks for sharing!
Jasmyn Wilkins
You are very welcome and it has been super helpful for me! Glad that you enjoyed this post!
The Brown Bride
Having a place for everything is a GREAT point, it’s probably the biggest time waster and creates unnecessary panic and anxiety!
Kadie
“Your morning can either make or break your day”, never have there been truer words! They really do set the precedent for the remainder of your day! Great tips, thanks for sharing!
Jasmyn Wilkins
I truly believe mornings really do have a major effect on our days! I’m glad that you enjoyed this post!
Cathers
Great post! I’m a list maker and have lists for everything! Definitely it finds that it focuses me and get through priorities.
Jasmyn Wilkins
Lists are a great resource to utilize when it comes to organization and have been so helpful for me! Glad that you enjoyed this post!
Ivan
From the first sentence till the last you captured me with your thoughts! I 100% am with you when it comes with clutter! I always am so disorganized when my room or my home is not organized and it looks cleaned! My productivity goes immediately down ! I love the daily cleaning tasks idea! Never thought about that one! This is definitely going to help me with having a clean space in my home and mind ! Thank you so much!???
Jasmyn Wilkins
You are very welcome and I’m so glad that you loved this post!
Emily Rose
I use to do lists a lot , I find when I write them the night before it helps me sleep and sets a nice tone for the next day. I can wake up and know exactly what to do !
Thanks for sharing.
– Em x
http://www.emilyrose.online
Jasmyn Wilkins
To-do lists are such an asset and I like to do them at night too! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
erika
I have so many post-its so I can keep a list of everything I need to do. It’s the only way I can stay productive!
Erika Marie | https://imerikamarie.com
Jasmyn Wilkins
I use post-its sometimes but I really like notebooks and notepads! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Carista
Loved these tips! I’ll have to get some storage bins for sure! Oh, and PLANNERS ARE LIFE for me!
Jasmyn Wilkins
Planners are LIFE! I’m so glad that you enjoyed these tips!
Christa
This is exactly what I needed to read! My routines are just messed up!
Jasmyn Wilkins
This pandemic has everyone’s routines out of wack! I’m glad that I could help with some tips!
ALLY
I can’t go without to-do lists! Thanks for sharing.
Jasmyn Wilkins
To-do lists are such a great tool to use! Glad that you enjoyed this post!
Kim
I love a good morning routine! Makes such a big difference to my day!
Jasmyn Wilkins
My morning has a huge impact on my day so I try to use that time wisely!
Kristine
Doing daily cleaning tasks is for sure the most helpful for me! I will start a to-do list though now. I keep one for organizing my day for work and my kids, but I never thought about also doing one for my personal day to day doings around the home. This is a great idea!
Jasmyn Wilkins
Yes! Keep a to-do list for your day to remain as productive and organized as possible! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
ปั้มไลค์
Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Jasmyn Wilkins
AW thank you so much! Glad that you enjoyed this post!
Lauren
As a Homeschooling Mom of 4 this is one area that I am on a serious STRUGGLE BUS! There is always something going on, some project being built, things all over the place. Thank you for your ideas.
Jasmyn Heard
Your welcome! And I feel that way with just 2 kids lol! Glad that you enjoyed these ideas!
Erica
Yes!!! We just became BEST FRIENDS!! I LOVE being organized and schedule and make lists! Love this post! Thank you!
Jasmyn Heard
Aw thank you so much and you’re very welcome!
Erikka
Love, love, love this! Balancing life and staying organized as a stay at home mom can be tough. Appreciate this post so much ?
Jasmyn Heard
It really can be! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!
Heidi
I am NOT being a very organized mom right now…but these tips have inspired me to try a schedule and see how it works with my two littles. Thanks for such a great post!
Jasmyn Heard
Yes having a schedule really does help! If you are in need of a schedule for a toddler, check out this one that I do with mine! https://justjass.com/toddler-daily-schedule-for-my-21-month-old/
Madeline
When I became a stay at home mum, I knew I wanted to be organised. I’d come from a super organised office environment, so I knew I thrived when things had some routine to them. These are such great tips! Definitely recommend good routines to act as anchors for your day. And a to-do list is the ULTIMATE lifesaver in this house haha.
Jasmyn Heard
Yes! Having a routine and a to-do list are lifesavers during the day! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this post!