As a mom, life can often feel like a whirlwind of tasks, appointments, and responsibilities. For our family, our evenings and weekends are jammed packed with shuttling the kids from one sport to the next, practices, homework, games and competitions. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the chaos!
One thing that has been an absolute lifesaver for me is having a well-structured cleaning routine. Not only does a routine help me manage my time, but it also provides the framework that helps me juggle the craziness of being a mom.
Routines play a huge role in keeping everything in check. They act as a guide, getting my family and I through the day, making sure nothing falls through the cracks. From getting the kids ready for school and keeping the house clean to managing meal times, I typically have a clear path to follow. With so much to remember, having a guideline means there's fewer chances of forgetting anything important.
Let’s be honest, it’s easy to forget things!! Having a daily routine helps me make sure that everything has a place in my family’s busy schedule. Have you ever opened the dish washer to realize it was never started from the day before? Oops! Or ordered takeout for dinner because you never made it to the grocery store? LOL. Having a designated day for laundry or grocery shopping keeps us in check and makes sure none of the tasks go unfinished.
Believe it or not, staying organized with lists is part of our emotional well-being too! Knowing and expecting what is to come provides a sense of stability and control. This is important for moms who often find themselves juggling several responsibilities at once. When things are predictable, it's easier to manage stress and maintain a positive outlook-something we all can benefit from! From personal experience, I also know it is soo helpful to write everything down when I have a lot on my mind. So go ahead, write down those tasks, make a game plan, and get to it!
Weekly & Deep Cleaning Checklists
I have decided to create and share my updated weekly cleaning routine for all of the tasks I do on a weekly basis. This routine has proven to work for my family and I. Our weekends are extremely busy, so I finish all of my cleaning duties during the week and enjoy the weekends with my husband and children. I also added a deep cleaning checklist that allows you to clean in zones over the course of several weeks.
Easy to follow weekly cleaning routine:
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Feel welcome to download and use these free checklists! I find it easiest to laminate the sheets and use a dry erase marker so the checklists are reusable!
If you're looking for some cleaning motivation or a friend to clean with, my cleaning routine video on YouTube is a great resource! In this video, I discuss my weekly cleaning routine and refer to the checklists for completing an entire week's worth of cleaning! Print the lists and follow along!!
5 Tips for Sticking to Your Routine
Creating a list is sometimes the easy part, but what about actually sticking to the routine?
Here are some tips to help you stay motivated:
1. Set a realistic routine. Everyone’s schedules look different and not everyone is going to be able to accomplish the same amount of tasks in one day. Create something that is actually attainable so you’re not starting off overwhelmed.
2. Begin the day with something that motivates you. For me that’s making my bed and typically working out or going for a walk. This sets the tone for the rest of your day! I know I work a lot harder and feel more motivated after accomplishing a few tasks right after I wake up.
3. Organize your tasks on a checklist and keep all of your appointments, reminders, and to-do lists in one place. I have a daily planner where I keep track of everything for the day. Having everything in one place also helps me prioritize pop-up tasks throughout the day.
4. Know that it takes time. Just because you set a routine doesn’t mean it’s going to be perfect right away. It takes time to adjust to a new schedule. The only thing that matters is that you stick to it!
5. Give yourself Grace. Things don’t always go to plan. We frequently have unexpected interruptions that completely throw off our schedules. It’s going to happen! How you respond to it is what matters.
I hope you find these helpful!! You can also find motivational cleaning videos and everyday hacks on my YouTube and Instagram channels!