Discover practical home systems for busy moms, including daily routines, weekly schedules, and monthly tasks to streamline housekeeping, time management, and family life.
I’m known among my friends as the home system queen! In fact, my routines and systems are one of the reasons why I can fit so much into my day and get a lot done.
I don’t share this to brag, but to let you know that it is possible to have a well-running home and that creating a well-balanced home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming!
Whether it’s a productive morning routine to kickstart the day, an after-school routine that helps transition into the evening, or monthly tasks that make household management easier, having a plan makes all the difference.
In this post, I’ll share how I organize our days, weeks, and months to stay on top of housekeeping, manage our time effectively, and keep our home running smoothly. Along with sharing some free printables you can add to your home management binder!
Daily Routine
Life as a busy mom of four means that routines are essential for keeping the day running smoothly.
My daily routine is designed to balance self-care, parenting, and productivity, all while ensuring my kids are supported in their activities and responsibilities. I work in “blocks” to keep myself on schedule all day long.
Here’s a glimpse into how I structure my mornings, afternoons, and evenings to make the most of each day.
Morning Routine
- 6:00 AM – Wake up; brush teeth (this is my favorite toothpaste); pray and scripture study; gratitude meditation and 6 minutes with the LumeBox; go through emails; check my blog income from the day before; pay off credit cards.
- 7:30 AM – Drink a protein steamer; family prayer and hug; kids pack their lunches.
- 8:00 AM – Kids (ages 8 and 10) leave for the bus; do a 30 minute workout.
- 9:00 AM – Eat breakfast; clean up kitchen.
- 10:00 AM – Get girls (ages 3 and 5) ready for the day; do morning chores (pick up the house, put away laundry, do odd jobs; see more of these under the weekly systems).
Afternoon Routine
- 12:00 PM – Lunch
- 1:00 PM – Nap and preschool; work time for mom.
- 2:30 PM – Pick up from preschool; learning time; finish working.
- 4:00 PM – Kids home from school; afternoon chores for kids.
- 4:30 PM – Take kids to practice (depending on day).
Night Routine
- 5:00 PM – Start dinner; eat as a family.
- 6:00 PM – Dinner clean up; weekly activities (sports, dance, church activities)
- 8:00 PM – Bed time for kids.
- 9:00 PM – Mom and dad time (usually watching a show lol).
- 10:30 PM – Bedtime; brush teeth, skin care routine, couples prayer.
Weekly Home Systems
Keeping a home running smoothly requires more than just daily tasks; it also involves setting up weekly systems that cover everything from cleaning and organizing to meal prep and planning.
These systems provide structure to tackle larger chores, keep your space tidy, and ensure your family’s needs are met. By dedicating specific days to certain tasks, you can create a rhythm that makes maintaining your home feel less overwhelming and more manageable.
Family Economy
We use daily chore and responsibility charts for our kids once they turn 5. They have to complete different tasks every day to keep our house running smoothly. If they do their tasks, they get a check mark so they can earn money every week.
Our family rule is that they have to earn at least 18 checks to get their full payment (which is half their age). So our 10 year old can earn up to $5 every week.
Participating in family economy is completely optional, and gives our children the opportunity to earn money to pay for extras and things that we would normally buy for them ourselves (special treats, gifts, fun activities with friends).
You can read more about how to create your own family economy here and you can create your own daily charts with the free printable below.
Sundays
- Go over weekly events as a family. My 3-year-old loves when we “talk about the week!” This is our chance to go over the events coming up so that everyone is on the same page. My husband and I have access to each other’s calendars on iPhone so we can see all of the events at once. We usually do this in the car when we drive home from our family’s house.
- Make breakfasts and sandwiches for the week. I batch cook my kids’ breakfasts for the week (they get to choose 2 options) and then we make sandwiches for their school lunches so they can pack their lunches every day.
- Have kids pick their school lunches. Our older kids get to pick 2 school lunches a week. We print out the menu and have them pick on Sundays so we can see a visual of when they need to pack lunches during the week.
- Family economy. Sunday is the day our kids can get paid for their checks for the week.
- Couple’s Inventory. My husband and I sit down every Sunday night once the kids are in bed and go over our goals from the week, set new goals, and talk about anything that may be keeping us from working together as a team.
Mondays
- Cleaning day. Mondays are my cleaning day. I don’t schedule any appointments, play dates, or work on Monday mornings. Cleaning on first day of the week gives me a fresh start and the best chance possible to have a productive week. Every other week I deep clean my home; and on the other weeks when I’m not deep cleaning, I switch bed sheets, towels, and vacuum.
- Family night. Mondays are also family nights for us. We do a lesson based on Come Follow Me, talk about our highs and lows for the day, and do a fun activity together.
Tuesdays
- Laundry day. Tuesday is one of my laundry days for the week. I either do 2 of my kids’ laundry or whites on Tuesdays. I used to just do laundry whenever we started running out of clothes, but planning it for a set day of the week has been for organizing and keeping my home running smoothly.
Wednesdays
- I currently don’t have any set systems on Wednesdays! It’s the busiest day of the week for us with practices and activities, so it’s a good mid-week break from regular home systems.
Thursdays
- Laundry day. Thursday is my second laundry day for the week. I will do the other kids’ laundry or our colored clothing on this day.
Fridays
- Meal planning, grocery list and shopping. Fridays are when I meal plan, make my grocery list, and go grocery shopping. If you’re interested in getting my meal plans every week, check out The Budget Coaching Club!
- Pizza and movie night. Friday is movie night for our family! We get pizza and watch a movie together!
Saturdays
- Laundry day. Saturday is my last laundry day for the week. I wash towels and sheets in the morning.
Monthly Home Systems
Cleaning Schedule
Every month I do certain cleaning tasks to keep our home running smoothly:
- Clean my washing machine including the filter.
- Clean the disposal.
- Clean the dish washer.
This is addition to my weekly/bi-weekly home cleaning.
Family Date Night
Once a month we do a family date night to spend time with our children doing something fun! Here are some examples of dates we’ve done in the past or will do this year:
- Bowling
- Jumping gyms
- Scheels
- Swimming
- Amusement park
- Outdoor movie
- Roller skating
- Hiking
- Camping
- Children’s museum
- Movie
- Arcade
- Farm
The GetOut Pass is a great option for family dates because it includes so many options! The pass is available in 31 different states and you can use code JESSICAASHCROFT to save more than the displayed discount!
Here are other examples of monthly home systems that can help SAHMs stay on top of household tasks, reduce stress, and maintain a well-organized home:
Decluttering System
- Choose one area of the house to declutter each month (e.g., pantry, kids’ toys, closets).
- Set a timer for 30 minutes to tackle it gradually or dedicate a single day for a larger overhaul.
Family Budget Review
- Sit down with your partner to review monthly finances, track spending, and plan for upcoming expenses (e.g., holidays, birthdays, or seasonal items).
- Adjust budgets as needed to stay on track.
Clothing and Seasonal Organization
- Rotate clothing for the seasons: pack away out-of-season items and assess what needs to be replaced or donated.
- Check kids’ clothing and shoes for size updates.
Maintenance Tasks
- Replace air filters, check smoke detectors, and schedule necessary home repairs or maintenance (e.g., HVAC servicing, gutter cleaning).
- Inspect appliances for wear and tear.
Paperwork and Bills Organization
- Sort through mail and paperwork, shredding what’s unnecessary.
- File important documents and ensure bills are paid or scheduled.
Toy Rotation System
- Swap out a few toys each month to keep the kids engaged while reducing clutter.
- Use this time to clean or repair toys as needed.
Home Inventory Check
- Assess household supplies (cleaning products, toiletries, etc.) and create a shopping list for anything running low (I keep a note on my phone for items I need to get at Costco or I will write them on the grocery shopping pad on my fridge).
- Stock up on essentials to avoid last-minute trips.
Tips To Implement New Home Systems
Implementing new systems as a mom can feel overwhelming, but small, intentional steps can make the process manageable and sustainable. Here are some simple tips to help:
1. Start Small
- Focus on one system at a time to avoid burnout.
- Choose the system that will have the biggest immediate impact, like a morning routine or meal planning.
2. Keep It Simple
- Avoid over-complicating your systems.
- Use tools you already have, like a notebook for lists or bins for organizing.
3. Involve the Kids
- Make it a family effort by teaching kids their roles in the system (e.g., putting toys in labeled bins or following a morning checklist).
- Use visuals like charts, stickers, or timers for younger kids to make it fun and easy.
4. Test and Adjust
- Trial a new system for a week or two before committing to it.
- Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t, then tweak it to fit your family’s needs.
5. Use Alarms or Reminders
- Set alarms on your phone for key parts of the day to keep you on track (e.g., 5 minutes before leaving the house).
- Use sticky notes or digital reminders as prompts.
6. Declutter First
- Before implementing organizational systems, clear out items you no longer need.
- For example, declutter toys or your pantry before organizing them.
7. Anchor to Existing Habits
- Tie new systems to routines you already do.
- Example: After breakfast, have kids check their backpacks and lunchboxes.
8. Be Consistent
- Stick to the system daily, even if it’s not perfect. Consistency is key to turning it into a habit.
- Use positive reinforcement, like praise or rewards, to motivate yourself and your kids.
9. Delegate Tasks
- Don’t do it all yourself! Assign age-appropriate responsibilities to your kids and partner to share the load.
10. Track Progress
- Use a simple tracker or checklist to monitor how the system is working.
- Celebrate wins, even small ones, to stay motivated.
11. Simplify with Tools
- Use tools like a family calendar app, meal planning templates, or organization bins to streamline your systems.
- Printable resources can be helpful visual reminders (see below to get mine for free!).
12. Be Patient
- New habits take time to form. Give yourself grace during the adjustment period.
Home Management Printables
Want More?
If you liked this post, I know you’ll love these too!
- Simple Spring Cleaning Checklist
- Summer Schedule For Kids
- Before School Breakfast Ideas
- After School Snack Ideas
- Family Budget Template
- How To Start a Toy Rotation System
Your Turn
Which of these home systems are you going to implement first? Let us know in the comments!