What does a stay at home mom do?

Cleaver - posted on 01/24/2013

ok i have a 2 year old this is our routine
we wake at 8 he 'helps' make his bed
i make breakfast while he watches tv then we eat,
we do a little game them have a snack
we do art then lunch
naptime i adore naptime
after that its snack time more interactive playing
then he watches tv again while i cook
eating then we do a calm activaty like puzzles
after that a small snack them bed routine
i do my cleaning during naptime

Ny - posted on 01/24/2013

me too i dont know how to do/play with my 3 year old boy at home i have try to reading a book or wriiting and make preschool home but he doesnt likes that . how can i do to keep him sitdown for story time ..

Michelle - posted on 08/02/2010

I have four boys under 7 so I don't really have a set/firm schedule. During summers it's basically whatever activities/playdates/errands I planned throughout the day, maybe some sort of studying/reading to keep them up to speed, whatever chores the boys are assigned, some tv/wii, and also the normal stuff of meals, dressing, naps, keeping the house semi picked up.



During the school year it's a little different. Kids off to preschool and school. Pick up from preschool, naps, playdates and/or activities that I scheduled. Older ones get home from school, activities, schoolwork, playtime, mealtime, and so on.



I'm leaving out what I consider "normal" everyday stuff like mealtimes, getting dressed, ready for bed, kids picking up toys, etc. They are done not at exact times but at around the same time of the day each day .



For me it's to hard to have a set routine who knows for firm how the day will go exactly. I like having a semi routine with the 'normal' day to day stuff and then adding/changing the other stuff depending on the kids and who we are meeting or how I'm feeling.

Ashley - posted on 08/02/2010

I'm a military wife and i try to keep a schedule around when my husband comes home. My daughter usually is up around 7:30. She eats breakfast around 8-8:30. CMT is usually on in the morning because she loves watching the music videos. She goes down for a morning nap around 10:30. Usually up about 12:30. then she eats lunch while daddy gets his nap in before going back to work. She plays for a while and does her own thing. Usually around 3 she goes back down for a nap and i clean the house. About 4:30 she is up and i start thinking about dinner and dinner is around 6:30. Then she goes to bed at 8 sometimes 9 if she isnt fussy and wants to be up.

Callie - posted on 07/29/2010

I must say, as a single mum of 3 kids aged 7 and under, that a routine is pretty much a non-existant thing. That may be because Im not a naturally organized person. However I always have my oldest to school on time, and I always pick her up on time, so I suppose the lack of orgainzation the rest of the day isn't too big of a deal. My youngest always has a sleep at 11, my middle one, doesn't sleep, so we have our together time when the baby is napping. My oldest and I have our together time after he boys have gone to bed, and once a month I make a point of Taking her to the movies on what we call "Girls night out". My youngest is an extremely independant 18mth old who seems completely dis-interested in any kind of quality time, except the occassional kiss in passing or a hug when he has hurt himself.
As for the household chores, I have discovered the secret to keeping it clean and tidy, but stil interacting with the kids. I turn cleaning into a game. "who can pick up the most toys first?" or getting the two oldest (7 and 3) to hold the plastic bag while we go around and pick up the rubbish. Also my 7 year old loves doing the dishes. Mostly because she knows she'll get $2 at the end of it. She takes forever to do them, makes a phenominal mess, doesn't always get them clean, but thats not the point. The earlier you involve them in the day to day running of the house, the easier it will be for you as they get bigger. It teaches them how to keep house, because someday they are going to need to know how, even the boys, it also teaches them responsibility and how to work together as a family. Cleaning time is the best time of the day in our house, because it is time we all spend together to make our 'together environment' a nicer more comfortable place to be.

Lindie - posted on 07/27/2010

atypical day with twin 2 yr olds



7am they wake up and come and wake me up, we have a cuddle in bed for about 5 mins, they rearrange the room while I brush my teeth get dressed and pick out their clothes.grab laundry



7.30 Down stairs, check if anyone wants to use the potty. I make breakfast and put washing on they watch a bit of telly



7.45 eat breakfast together at the table



8.30 finish breakfast clean kids, clean table clean floor clean dishes hang out washing. check if anyone wants to use the potty. they have a box of jewellery and hair bits and bobs which find their way around the room at this point.



8.45 Sit with the kids and watch telly or read a book or play with a toy, what ever they want to really for about 15 - 20mins. (depends on the day and how far we are going for and wht time that toddler group starts) (oh and secretly pick up the hair bits)



9ish pack back for going, get kids dressed and shoes on, get my shoes on, make sure i've brushed my hair. check if anyone wants to use the potty.



9.30 leave for toddler group



9.45/10 arrive at toddler group.

- lot's of different activities for the kids to do and other moms to meet.



10.30/11.30 head for home



11/12 get home kids up to bed for a milk bottle and a nap for atleast an hour.

( during this I do a very small tidy up and then have a cup of coffee and a cookie and watch nanny 911 or supernanny and tell myself how wonderful I actually am as a mother)





12/1 kids wake up. have a little play in their room (they like to be silly after a nap;})



1.30 Lunch together at the table,



2.00 finished lunch, clean kids, clean table clean floor, leave dishes to do with dinner dishes



After luch is very much dependant on weather, their behaviour, my energy levels. but we could do any of these



Play outside - general

Play outside - pool

get playdoh out

do painting

play with building blocks/ toy farmyard/ toy garage

do "gardening"

We would probably start with something more robust like swimming and then come in for building blocks by about 3.30ish when they have a drink of juice and a cookie.

I tend to start them with something i can leave them to do at this point so that I can dip in and out and get on with a few chores specifically things like ironing (



4.30 I start dinner, they cotinue to play or watch telly mommy only gets involved if there is a fight or someone needs the potty.



5.30 Daddy's home

6.00 Dinner together at the table

6.45 telly or story

7 .00 bath time

7.30 bed

8.00 lights out!



dusting and hoovering are sometimes our afternoon activity. the girls love to help dust and they enjoy stalking and being chased by the hoover! crazy kids! they also like helping with dishes which means we also do the kitchen floor. and the bathroom floor get done every night after bath time else Daddy would need flippers to get in there in the morning!



other things like windows are left until i can't stand it any more and then i will sacrifice my nap time hour to do it!

Griselda - posted on 07/27/2010

As a SAHM my main goal is to dicipline (which means teach) and set a strong foundation for their future and while doing that I have fun with them.
Our routine consists of grooming, dressing and eating breakfast then off to our playgroup where they inteact with a variety other personalities. We go out everyday, every morning. We are usually back by 12-12:30 and have lunch then at 12:30-1p read a book and then off for nap time for both my girls by 1:30p. While they sleep I take advantage and pick up, wash dishes but I don't super clean until the Saturday morning.
My girls normally wake up from their nap around 3:30-4p. Becca, my 13 month has free play and Aly will either play with play-doh, color, play with her other toys or if I'm starting dinner I have them play outside in the sandbox,climber/slide or ride-on toys. Then we have dinner by 5:30-6p and then it's dad's turn to care for the girls while I pick up again. It's my husband's job to play with them for the rest of the evening and bathe them. My husband and I alternate night to read a book to them. By 8pm Becca is sleeping and Aly is in bed by 8:30p.
The days we don't go out I let the kids have free play most of the day but I do take time with both to play with them. I'll play blocks with Becca and color with Aly or dance with both.

Christina - posted on 07/26/2010

wow i'm reading these replies and its crazy how some moms got their schedules down.

Me on the other hand, i wake up a little earlier than my son so i get to study or watch some tv. Then he wakes up and I put on nick jr for him. When he says he is hungry i feed him what he wants, then after that he is charged up and runs around the house plays with my little sister and has fun. Every once in a while i tell them to calm down because of the people next door or downstairs. They will let me know when they are ready for lunch so i make lunch. Then they are recharged and so on till about 7pm, then they start to wind down and then dinner and they stay up for the upside down show o my gosh they love that show they will sit there and watch the whole thing. I love the upside down show lol..

I am always suprising them with stuff to do, we play outside with water balloons, bubbles, horse around, paint, play with chalk outside, swimming, play in the rain whenever it starts to rain, i let them take the camera and take pictures. its almost never quite in this house.

Chores I have an apartment so its never dirty i mean i just clean up after them, and they help me..

my sis goes to sleep around 11, after the show is over. and my son goes to sleep about 12. then thats when i have time for me and i study or get on the computer or read whatever i feel like doing.. I enjoy it its fun.

Beccie - posted on 07/24/2010

I dont have a set routine. My LO is 19 months, so we go to playgroup twice a week for a couple of hours each time. Then I try and take him to the park or meet with another mum and toddler if wecan on another day. I get my housework done when he has his nap in the day which is for about an hour and a half, that way my evenings are relatively free to spend with my partner. Other than that, we kind of take the day as it comes

Lara - posted on 07/24/2010

I am a SAHM to a 6 month old and a 26 month old.

My hubby works away for 6 weeks. So its just me and the boys. I am extremely grateful that I have full time help. She comes in at around 8 am and leaves at around 1/2/3pm.
All these times are approx and sometimes my 2 year old doesnt go to playschool:

6am wake up
bottles for both, I change their nappies, dress them, pack my son's bag if i havent done it the night before, put a load of laundry in, feed them.
8am cleaning/nanny comes in, I leave the baby with her and drop my son at playschool
9am baby usually naps or if not we go out to do grocery shopping or Tuesday Moms and Babes and Thursdays Moms group at church. If he is asleep and I want to go to the shops alone I do it now. During this time I also try give him solids. My helper can give him a bottle and change him if I am out.
1145pm I leave to fetch my son from the playgroup and when he gets home I ask him if he is hungry etc etc. Then I lie down with him on his bed until he goes for his nap.
1pm Baby usually has a nap
2pm Big brother wakes up and we say bye to helper and we all play. During this time we usually go out to meet friends or go to friends homes. I try be back at 5pm if I had already cooked dinner the night before or during the day.
5/5.30/6pm have dinner
5.30pm bath baby, put baby to sleep
bath my son and we watch tv/read books and cuddle.
He goes to sleep between 7 and 8 most nights.
Some nights they both sleep through some nights they dont.

When my hubby is home its a breeze as then I dont have to try juggle my time ((in the evenings they are both usually tired and both want time alone with me))

Evenings I have a break to just sit down and eat if I didnt eat with my toddler, read, shower, make calls, check email and go to sleep at 9/10pm

Once a week I usually have babysitters and go out with friends, usually a Friday or Saturday night! (this keeps me sane) Once a week my 2 year old sleeps over at my parents house.

Bri - posted on 07/23/2010

daughter is 3 3/4... #2 on the way in Nov. Current schedule as SAHM with part-time from home executive job and unemployed hubby who is going to school to finish degree. (all times are "ish")

8:00 wake, breakfast
8:30 cartoons for 1/2 hr
9:00 get dressed, chores (she makes bed, hubby and I have 1-2 specific chores each day to spread out the household duties)
9:30-11:00 homeschool/exercise... if we're doing Wii exercise, only 1 person can use it at a time, so the other works with homeschooling (informal at this time but at child's request and she loves it) and/or stretching, checking up on chores (i.e. moving laundry from washer to clothesline)
11:00 snack, then I work, he has me time and she plays on her own (if possible, one of us goes outside so she plays outside)
1:00 lunch
2:00 child rests/naps, hubby works on to-do list (project type stuff), I work
3:30 snack
4:00 hubby study, if I'm caught up I play with munchkin
5:00 hubby and munchkin have misc. time (park, go to local outdoor consignment store, movie, put away laundry, work on a to-do item together, etc.) and I get me time
6:30 dinner
7:30 mon= game night, tue=movie night, wed= reading time, thu= dance practice (munchkin and I clog), fri= varies!

On Wednesday, we deviate from schedule because she goes to sitter from 11-5:30... something she had to do when I was working a 2nd part-time, out of the house job but we chose to continue when I became SAHM due to the social interaction and just a break from mom/dad.

Weekdays we try to keep reasonably on-schedule, especially to get her rest/nap time in and to make sure everyone gets some exercise and some fresh air. This allows us to be more flexible on weekends to go to festivals, events, etc. and if she misses naptime we don't ALL end up paying!

We try to make sure we get in a Family Day once a month and since he gets 2 sundays/month for airsofting (daddy time) so we try to get me 1-2 days a month for mommy time. We also do date night for the grown ups every month which is also fun time for her with a favored teenage sitter.

Megan - posted on 07/23/2010

My routine for most days.

-Wake at 8:00am
-Cuddle time on couch for 15 minites
-Breakfast
-I tidy up breakfast while he plays indoors or outdoors depending on the day.
-Then we play togther mixed with me tidy up or having some mom time
-12:00 is Lunch time he also watches him two fav shows dora and diago.
-While he watches diago i tidy up lunch
-Then its back to playing for him while i prepare supper and maybe put a load of landry on.
-Go for a walk
-Between 1:00pm and 1:30 he goes down for a nap
- While he sleeps i finish tidying up anything i couldnt get done while he was awake whitch is not much. Then i think and prepare for new baby(i'm 23 weeks pregnant) And have mom time.
-my son wakes at 3:00pm
-We play togther
-I make dinner
-Daddy home at 4:30 we eat supper
-Bath time
- Read some books
-Play with daddy, While mommy cleans up
-Watch a family show or a disney movie.
-Then my sons in bed my 8:00 pm
And mommy and daddy relax.

Cindy - posted on 07/20/2010

As you read all these replies you will see everyone more less does their own thing. But keep one thing in mind you have a once in lifetime opportunity that most Moms could only dream of. Love every moment of each day no matter how crazy they might get and make the memories with your child or children, because that's what I feel is the best routine as a stay at home mom of a 2 year old.

Shaunna - posted on 07/17/2010

I don't have much of a routine either but when i get my boys to take a nap, that's usually my time to do laundry and clean up around the house. When they're awake I never really have anything structured for them to do but sometimes i'll let them color or we'll go outside for awhile and sometimes pick up sticks around the yard so i dont have to when i mow. If my little guy is asleep still i let my 20 month old attempt to help me with laundry if i still have some to put up sometimes too. If it gets too boring and i need to get something at the store, we'll all load up and go to the store in a nearby town and then go to the park.

Sherri - posted on 07/16/2010

I don't have a schedule either. We just do what the day brings. Usually my youngest gets up between 8-9am. I let him play and when he tells me he is hungry I feed him breakfast. He plays with the other kids I watch till 12pm when we have lunch. When they finish we all go outside either in the pool or to play in the yard. Dinner is almost always by 5pm. Usually clean up, laundry, straighten etc. unless we have to go to one of the older boys sports, or hubby's sports or just run errands. Bedtime is around 9pm due to being out a lot of nights till at least 8pm with older boys schedules. at least for the summer while the older boys are out of school.

Angie - posted on 07/16/2010

We don't really have a set schedule but kind of a rough routine.

Normally we are up between 7 and 8. I fix the girls breakfast and then while they are eating I clean up the kitchen and straighten up the down stairs.
When they are done then if we are going out somewhere that morning we go get showered/bathed/dressed and then go out. We try to get home around 1-2 when my youngest naps. While my youngest naps my oldest and I do "big girl" things like special games, puzzles, crafts that aren't safe for the baby to do etc.
My youngest wakes up around 4 usually and we play for an hour or so or lately the girls will play together and I'll do what I need to do around the house or for prepping dinner.

We eat dinner around 6:30 then get ready for bed and the girls are in bed by about 7.

If we are having a day where we don't go anywhere in the morning then after breakfast we'll usually do some baking together, then some sensory play (playing with shaving cream, water etc), then lunch and while they have lunch I clean up the wreck that the house becomes in those few hours and prep dinner if I can.

My girls are 3 1/2 and 22 months.

Kelly - posted on 07/16/2010

we wake up around 8am give my 1year old and two year old breakfast and a sippie cup then we get ready and go shopping to the park maybe the zoo just something the would like to do then the eat lunch take a nap at 1 they wake up at between 3 and 4 i give them a snack we go out side the around 6 dinner play inside for an hour then they go to bed between 7 and 8

Louise - posted on 07/13/2010

I try and organise my day to a certain extent. My daughter is 20 months and she is learning things very fast so I try and teach her something new every day. I was a pre school teacher and speech and language therapist before leaving work to have my daughter so I have had a little help on knowing how to entertain her. If I need to go shopping the next day I involve my daughter in the shopping, look thats a banana which one is bigger and so on. Yes I know it takes twice as long to do the daily shop but it is also entertaining her as well. If I am not shopping I try to sit with her for at least half an hour in the morning and in the afternoon to either paint, play dough, or cut and stick. I also do flash cards with her which has brought on her speech and she loves them. As I am doing the cooking she helps in the kitchen by fetching the potatoes or stirring the sauces. I just involve her with every thing I do during the day, even down to the laundry, she helps put it in the dryer and turns the buttons on.
Daily routine is:
Up at 7.30am Breakfast
8.00 am washed and dressed watches mickey mouse whilst I get washed in her high chair.
9.00am Free play she does what she wants.Out door play
10.00am Shops or craft activites
11.30am Home and wind down time.
12.00 Lunch
1.00 Afternoon sleep
2.30 Get up time and snack
3.00 Craft time or flash cards. Out door play on cars
4.00 Preparing dinner for later
4.30 Older brothers get home from college.
5.30 Dinner time
6.30 My dinner time with the rest of the family
8.00 Bath time and story
8.30 Bed.

Rebecca - posted on 07/13/2010

I take my daughter out every morning to have us time and to get to talk to other mothers (am a single mother) Then I tell her in the afternoon it's time to go out side and play now so I can get house work done.She is fine with this because we have spent time together in the morning.We goto play group ( two different ones),story time,nippy gym,coffee morning or the park.We have lots to do where I live.

Amber - posted on 07/12/2010

I'm a full time stay at home mommy of 2 kids ages 10 months and 3 years. A typical day goes like this we wake up at 6:30am and eat breakfast. The baby goes back to sleep from 7:30-8:15 am during this time i'm getting my son ready for preschool we all go and drive my son to preschool from 8:45am-9:15am. We come home I play with my daughter clean up breakfast throw in laundry, feed my daughter lunch and give her a bath by 12:30. Then 12:30-about 2 is nap time for both of us. at 2 we wake up have a snack play some more then at 2:30 we head to school to pick up my son. On the way home from school at 3:15 we stop by my moms and visit for about an hour, then go home make dinner, we all play for about an hour then the kids go to bed around 7pm. I clean up dinner, make lunch for my son for the next day. I always do all the household chores at night after the kids are asleep its just easier for me that way.