Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? Me too.
Ever since I started working at home, I’ve been getting lots of questions about how we make it work, and what our daily schedule looks like.
While things change on a weekly and daily basis, there are certain elements of our days that remain about the same.
The kids wake up (often before the sun). This is something that almost never changes. If they go to bed at 7pm or if they go to bed at 9pm they get up before it’s even light outside.
The early morning is filled with all kinds of shenanigans and playtime. I’m useless in the morning until I’ve had a couple cups of coffee and have been awake for at least an hour or two, so no work until later in the day.
My husband leaves for work at 7 in the midst of all the early morning chaos. If it’s a school day we start getting ready to take the kids to school at around 8:30 so we can get them there by 9:30
School days are great because then I can get the bulk of my work done between 9:30-2:30 while they are gone.
I mainly use this time for blog work, not housework. I’ve found that it’s a lot easier to sweep floors and clean with the kids around, than it is to try to work on social media or write blog posts.
Here is the problem though. After I get the kids off to school I am deep in work-mode. In fact, some days I have to set an alarm for when I need to leave to go get them because I will lose track of the time, being lost in my work.
This means stopping to prepare a meal for myself in the middle of the day doesn’t usually happen! Oops.
This week, I was introduced to Healthy Choice Simply Cafe Steamers and they are game changers!
I went with the beef and broccoli because that is one of my favorite meals, and it did not disappoint. I was impressed that the veggies, beef and rice steamed on top in a little steamer bowl, while the sauce heated down below. This made it all taste so much better when it came together and gave the meal great consistency.
I love that I can pack this up and send it with my husband to work and also prepare it for myself at home. I can drop it in the microwave, go back to my work for a few minutes and come back to a fully cooked meal with all healthy ingredients. Healthy Choice Simply Café Steamers have 100 percent natural proteins and no artificial ingredients!
It’s the perfect solution for me, so I don’t have to waste time preparing food in the middle of my work day!
After I pick the kids up from school, if it’s a pretty day we try to go to the park or do something fun. If we have errands to run that happens right after school too.
Then we head home and they get some screen time while I clean, put away groceries and get dinner ready. My kids are still getting used to school so they are usually exhausted by this time of day, so I don’t mind if they watch a movie or a show.
After they eat dinner, it’s time to read books or play until daddy comes home from work. He usually arrives home as I’m preparing his and my dinner and getting the kids ready for bed. If they are all in the PJs already then he has time to play with them for a little while until they go to bed.
We eat dinner after they are in bed, so that the kids get their hour between my husband getting off work and their bedtime as playtime instead of just a meal with daddy and then bed. I’m sure as they get older this will change, but for now we think playtime is far more important than sitting around a table together so it works for our family.
After dinner my husband and I frequently play some board games before he makes an evening cup of coffee and I do some more work. He has studying to do and I have books and posts to write so we do that before we head off to bed!
That’s a typical day at our house! It’s been difficult juggling mom life, and working life, but it’s a fun challenge. There are times that things slip through the cracks, and that’s okay. We can’t always doing everything no matter what stage of motherhood we are in! Being okay with what you got done today is one of the biggest ways you can fight stress!
What does a typical day look like in your house? Share in the comments!
Have you even tried theHealthy Choice Simply Café Steamers? If so, let me know which is your favorite in the comments too, I’m looking forward to trying the others (Meatball Marinara, Chicken Fried Rice, Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo, Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry and Grilled Pesto & Vegetables.)
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Maria says
Hi Paula,
As a work at home mom, I completely relate to your whirlwind day. I still have a baby, but I find myself a little confused through the day sometimes what to do and how to go about things. I used to have such a strong focus and now it’s difficult to focus unless no kids are around, especially for computer activities. Sometimes the work is a nice break from screaming, crying, whining, demands, etc. And then other times I just want to throw my computer out the window and go play with my son. Then there are my husband’s needs so it’s a little nutty I think, even as stay at home mom, working mom, I think in general being a modern mom is weird somehow. But sounds like you found harmony in the challenges.
I found some comfort looking to your story of your day and I completely relate to losing track of time and forgetting to eat! But the big thing for me too is I don’t remember to drink enough water through the day.
Best-
Maria