Hello! Hello!
Today, my Shade of Shay is about my typical daily routine.
I am a person who loves a good routine.
I can create a routine out of nothing…and then do it over and over and over again.
Take for example the carpool line at Kensington’s school…
…by the second day of school, I realized that if I’m going to wait 30+ minutes every single day, I needed to bring a magazine and a drink to pass the time. And now, I have a standard routine where I leave my house at the exact same time, bring my drink and magazine (and sometimes a little snack) and wait. I thrive on routines.
About a month ago, a sweet reader named Katherine emailed me and asked if I would share my typical daily routine for staying at home with my kiddos. She said she was having a hard time establishing a routine for the day. Considering I have done pretty much the exact same thing every day for over six years, I thought that would be a simple (and deserving) Shade of Shay.
Disclaimer: I am not recommending this as your routine…I’m just sharing with you what I have been doing daily for the last six years. This is just a suggestion about establishing a routine that would work for you and your family.
So…first things first…
I like to get up and head out every morning. I feel more productive if I’m up and at ’em every day. When Kensington turned six weeks old, I joined Baby Bootcamp where we exercised outdoors while pushing our babies in their strollers. It started at 9:30 and thus, a routine was born.
Ahhh…my sweet babies at Baby Bootcamp! We had the best time working out together during those three years :).
Four days a week, we would meet these girls at a park and exercise for an hour. This gave me a reason to get dressed (albeit workout clothes…but something besides my pjs nonetheless) and gave me a destination. We did this for three solid years. At the three year mark, my kids became too heavy for me to push in the stroller (and they were growing restless of sitting there), so my routine changed to the gym (where they could run free and have fun in the kids’ area). To this day, Smith and I still head out to the gym in the mornings while Kensington is in school. We’re up and out every morning.
If a Baby Bootcamp/Stroller Stides/Gym membership isn’t in your budget, maybe just a nice walk around your neighborhood or park (maybe with some other mamas you know)? Just getting out and stretching your legs is a nice way to start your morning.
This is a selfie I took last year of me exercising outside of my gym. If you’re looking for me between 9:30 and 10:30, I’m almost always in a class or outside exercising.
When my babies were little, I decided to make mid-morning our time to run errands and such before heading home for the rest of the day. During this two hour period is when I run to Target, the grocery store, the dry cleaners, the bank…you know all of those errands.
I also try to do some sort of activity with my kiddos like take them to the park to play and eat a packed lunch (no mess in my kitchen if we eat our lunch at the park!), we love to go to the mall when the weather isn’t fabulous because for free, my kiddos can play in the mall play area and look around and build at the Lego store. We also like going to the library and playing at places like McDonalds and Chick-fil-a too. And during the summer, we swim every single day during this time! We often meet friends during this time period and my kiddos always have a blast playing!
We always get home around 12:30 and kind of re-group before naps and rest time. If we’ve been to the pool, then I’m busy starting a load of laundry and getting everyone in dry clothes. I usually do some quick chores during this time period while my kiddos play a minute.
My kiddos have always gone down for naps right at 1:00. When Kensington was a little over five, her naps turned into more of a rest time where she was able to select a movie and watch it while lying down (and half the time she fell asleep). This has always been a very quiet time at our house where everyone is either sleeping or resting.
Right now, Smith and I get home every day at this time and then leave again at 2:30 to pick up Kensington from school…during this time, he usually plays Legos or with his super hero toys upstairs…he knows this is our down time.
This time of day is starting to change for us. For years, Kensington would wake up from her nap first around 3:00 or 3:30 and we would do some activities but now…my kids have reached that age where we’re going to ballet, tennis or tee ball during this time of day. On the days when we don’t have to go anywhere, we still do some sort of activity after Kensington gets out of school (and usually it’s one of the ones I have listed!).
We start making dinner around 5:00ish each night…sometimes, the kiddos help me, sometimes, they’re too busy playing. We always eat around 5:30, so 5ish is when we start preparing.
This is Kensington helping me bread some chicken for supper. 🙂
Everyone is cleaned up, jammies on, and we play inside until it’s time for bed.
And tomorrow, we start the whole thing over ;).
That’s it! My little routine for our days. Nothing fancy, pretty boring and totally typical…but it’s a routine that has worked for us now over six years.
On occasion, I do A Day in the Life posts and you can see some of those here (and you’ll notice the same routine)…
Thank you Katherine for the blog post idea! I would love to hear other ideas and suggestions for daily routines. Comment below if you have any!
And dinner tonight on my foodie blog is a Cheesy Veggie Chowder…
…you should make this tonight for supper!
XOXO
Erika Slaughter says
This was a great blog post idea! It's so hard to get started and figure out exactly what your routine will be when babies are little!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
I'm pretty sure I could have written your routine out for you and not really missed anything! The pic of the kids in their jammies with S looking at K is sooo sweet!
Heather Turner says
I don't have kids yet but I too live for a routine! Thanks for sharing how you do life with two kiddos!
Debbie L says
Curious – do you not eat lunch? And that's why you eat such an early dinner?
Mix and Match Mama says
We eat lunch around 11 each day (and breakfast at 7). 🙂
kimm atwood says
Love a good routine. It keeps my sanity
Blue-Eyed Bride says
Love this! Pregnancy really messed up having a routine and I just spent so much time lying around. Ha! I need to get it back together!
Erica says
Joining a gym with childcare and attending a class every morning has really helped me to establish a routine. As a new mama to an 11 month old girl, I thrive on routine as well! Also, I made one of your dinners last night and it was a hit. Thanks! – Erica @ Whimsical September
Heaven's Roses says
Your routine sounds great and very busy. Do you hire a house cleaner?? I didn't see a lot of time spent cleaning in the list but yet your house always looks immaculate .
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
I loved this, so fun!
Anonymous says
Do you clean your house?
As a mamma to 3, if find I an cleaning, laundry, picking up after them 3/4 of, my day. If you have some help would you please post what and when she does things, I think I might have.to invest so I can have a better productive day. Excellent post.
Mix and Match Mama says
When I opened my travel agency from home, I hired someone to help clean my house (to free up time for me to work). It's been such a blessing for us and worth the investment!
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
Ooh I have been thinking of this too.. How often do they come shay?
And do they "pick up" or just clean Bathrooms/floors etc.. Maybe you do need to do a post. I am the previous poster, some days I feel like all I do is clean.. Even now that all my babes are in full time school this year!
Lauri says
When do you work? I don't see that in your schedule. I don't know about anyone else, but where I live it is definitely not typical to go somewhere every single day. Of course I live a bit from town.
kelly says
This is such a great post! I am a person who finds it hard to stick to a routine but I am always inspired by and striving to be like people like you who establish routines and stick to them! It actually motivates me to be more like you when I read this kind of stuff. For instance you wake up at 430 so I decided to wake up at 530 and it's been great! I accomplish alot in those early hours! Thank you for sharing your life info. You're helping this mama improve in the " self – discipline" areas of my life! 🙂
kelly says
This is such a great post! I am a person who finds it hard to stick to a routine but I am always inspired by and striving to be like people like you who establish routines and stick to them! It actually motivates me to be more like you when I read this kind of stuff. For instance you wake up at 430 so I decided to wake up at 530 and it's been great! I accomplish alot in those early hours! Thank you for sharing your life info. You're helping this mama improve in the " self – discipline" areas of my life! 🙂
Stephanie Reynolds says
I agree with the other comment…would you tell us the cleaning schedule for your cleaning lady? Im a stay at home mom of 3 as well…and although I dont have another job I STILL am cleaning 3/4 of my day. I want to spend more down time with the kids…but a messy house makes me anxious…and I cant enjoy myself anyway. Ive always wondered how often to get a cleaning lady and what they would do?
Lacy McMurry says
Hey Shay! I am not married nor am I a mom, but I loveeee your blog! I read your blog before I scroll through Facebook each morning. Haha. Keep it up! 🙂
Christine says
Is it crazy that these are my favorite posts? Not to sound creepy, but I also love it when you add what you eat!
Carrie says
I have found my routine has changed a lot since my son started having homework in 1st grade. We can't really play after school (which, I wish we could), because he has an hour of homework every night. Boo! I miss that freedom! Then, after homework I need to run them to dance, sports, scouts, etc. I am looking forward to their Thanksgiving and Christmas break so we can plan some fun activities 🙂 It was fun reading your routine, I enjoy getting my workouts done early, too!!
Tammy Rivers says
I am just curious when you have homework time?
Ashley says
Love this! As a SAHM mom I love getting ideas from other momma's about fun activities to do with the kiddos! I was actually curious about your meals with little ones. I've tried a few of your recipes and my husband and I have LOVED every single one! But, we have a picky 2 year old! We recently got into a bad habit of making her something other than what we are eating! Are Smith and K good eaters or picky little things as well?
Kim Taylor says
My "babies" are now 26 and 22 and do not live at home with us anymore, but I STILL have a daily routine. My hubby and I are both routine type people, so we have a daily regimen that we stick to. We wake up, coffee, Good Morning America and then off to the gym. Lunch almost everyday at our favorite little shop in downtown and then I run my errands in the afternoon. Sometimes I have lunch with a girlfriend or coffee in the mornings with friends. But I love our routine and so does he. My hubby still has a business to run, so obvi he isnt home with me until about 6pm. Anyway, have a fabulous day and just know that your routine will change as your kiddo's grow but routine is great!
Anonymous says
Routines are key to running a good home for sure!
*Idea for another post Is one on all your little lamps around your house..I have never seen people use them in the bathroom countetopsr or kitchen counter..but since seeing yours I have added one to my kitchen and love the early morning glow it gives while I make coffee and lunches for my crew:)
Melissa says
I loved reading about your daily routine! As a fellow SAHM who thrives on routine, it's nice to see others who are like-minded. A schedule makes this mama (and therefore her kiddos) so happy!
Anonymous says
So this is your schedule for when the younger one isn't in preschool?
Angela Banae says
Shay, thank you so much for this post! I'm always trying to make myself get into a routine. You make it doable and I love how honest and candid you are. With our boys both being in school now, I am trying to find my routine as a blogger, writer, mama, wife, and Bible study facilitator. I'm going to keep working on it…thank you for always sharing your life with us!
Big hugs from Iowa!! ~
Stephanie Jennings says
These are my favorite kind of posts. Thanks. Have a great day 🙂
Tiffany {A Touch of Grace} says
I love having a routine. We ended up quitting our gym b/c my daughter hated the daycare there and they would have to call us back in every time. So now we have a home gym. I hope one day I can stay home so I can have more of a routine with my baby girl. 🙂
Ashley says
Wow! My routine is something like: Wake up, wing it, go to bed haha! Homeschool will do that to you I think 😉
Anonymous says
So do you eat lunch out everyday?
Mix and Match Mama says
Nope! We pack a lot of lunches to take. The thermal totes from Thirty One Gifts are great for keeping food chilled.
Katy says
I love routines and hearing about other people's! I'd be interested to hear of any organizational tips you have/do to make your day/life easier!;)
Lindsay Duncan says
I am a new mommy who went back to work before we decided as a family to make a big move. (We moved from Fort Worth to Anchorage, AK for my husband's job). Anyway I am so excited to be at home but having a tough time getting my 5 month old on a good schedule. When your babies were younger did you have a specified morning nap time as well? It seems we have our afternoons and evenings about figured about but our mornings are still all over the place! Thanks so much for the post!
Mrs. V says
Thanks Shay! This was really needed. My kids are 2.5 and 1.5 (same gap as Kensington and Smith!) our routine is seriously the same. Except for the fact that I really struggle with that 3-5 time period. Can you elaborate on what else you do then? I just always end up wanting to cry by 5 o'clock. Then as I am making dinner around then, my kids are fussy and start to cry then too. Do you think it's just that they're so young they are wanting my attention all the time? Help! I also don't know how to balance having time to myself and paying attention to them (I usually work during their nap time and am actually tired by the time they wake up). How did you balance paying attention to your kids and blogging? Is that when you started waking up at the blessed hour of 4:30 am? I can't do it Shay but maybe I need to! I am barely hitting the ground at 7 am these days. So many questions, thanks girl!
Amanda says
Love this! Thank you for sharing it!
Kate Craig says
Our routine is so similar! It just seems to work better to do the out of the house stuff in the mornings. Though sometimes we will run errands in the evenings if Daddy comes with us 🙂
Jaren says
Great post Shay! I'm now staying at home for the first time (2 kids in school and 2 at home). I'm still adjusting to my life now…nursing all day and taking care of a 2 year old. It's definitely new to me even though I have two older children. I agree and think getting out of the house is really important to my sanity. It's just kind of hard right now with my littlest one. From 3:00 on is the hardest part of my day with 2nd and 1st grade homework and then squeezing in down time for them if we don't have another activity to go to. It gets crazy some days! Thanks for sharing!!
Alison says
I love a good routine!
Jamie Allen says
i have the same exact schedule except we {my granddaughter and i} leave at 3:10pm to pick up my son from school and dinner is later. i feel the same way about getting out in the morning. i am creature of habit and i love it!
Beth K says
Love this post! With a job change this fall and more time at home, I needed reminded about the importance of a routine. I'm still figuring out what may work for me in this new season!
For those mentioning the cleaning, I'd thought I'd pass along a few helpful tips given to me. I would love to have a cleaning service (one day, one day!) but financially that is not in the cards for us. And we live in a modest home with just the four of us, so I feel like we should be able to care for it by ourselves. So first tip – if it doesn't have a place in our home, we don't need it. We've reduced some much clutter by decreasing what we own, and I love it! Pick up is easier too when everything has a place to go. Second tip – my kids help. I found that I really underestimate my boys most of the time. Now 5 and 7, both can unload and load the dishwasher, vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms, and make beds. They each have one chore a day that earns them 30 minutes of TV, so they don't complain, and we often have great conversations while we work. Their wives will love me one day, ha! Last tip – just let the mess lie sometimes. This is so hard for me but has also been the most important tip ever. The kids are only little once, and you will never remember the days that your sink was full of dishes and your playroom covered with legos. We usually leave the house completely messy most weekends to just play, play, play, and then do a big clean up Sunday night. It's really helped us maximize and enjoy our weekends. I hope this helps some who, like me, can't hire help… yet, anyway! 🙂
V @ X-tremely V says
This looks like a great routine. If I were a SAHM or I worked from home more often, I would do quite a bit of the same 🙂
Aubrey says
Can't wait to see how sweet Ashby fits into your lovely family life! Structure combined with a whole lot of love is a sure fire way to help a child THRIVE!