Without a weekly routine, many busy families fall into the rut of rushing around from event to event. If they fail to plan ahead of time, stay at home parents wind up wondering what they accomplished at the end of the week. Here’s a simple way to get your family on track from week to week.
Tasks for the Week
Grab a pen and a sheet of paper. Draft a routine of what you envision for the week. Hold a weekly family meeting and write ideas about what activities should occur on what day of the week. For example, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays can be cleaning days. Thursdays can be the day for errands and paying bills. Fridays can be a day off. Saturdays can be a family day.
Afterwards, add in the activities you and your family have committed to like sports, volunteer commitments etc. You may discover your family is involved in too many activities. If so, see where you can cut back.
Add appointments you or your family have for the week. During this family meeting, discuss anything your family may need for the week and work on a plan to get their needs met. The family meeting shouldn’t take more than thirty minutes. When you’ve drafted a plan, hang it up in a place where you can refer to it often or place a copy in your Household Notebook.
Methods for Creating a Weekly Routine
Each family is different and so needs vary depending on each situation. Here are some methods for creating your routine. Try them out and see which one works for you.
- Write a new, categorized 'to do' list each week:Create different categories: chores, finances, fitness, food, organization, work tasks, business tasks. Under each category, jot down no more than three to five tasks to complete for that week.
- Master weekly checklist: If you know there are certain tasks that should be done on a weekly basis, create a master weekly checklist to be used each week. Check off tasks as they are completed. Reprint a new checklist at the beginning of each week.
- TIme block your activities: This method may work best for families with older children. Create specific periods of time where you and your family engage in certain activities. For example, do a load of laundry right after breakfast, dust for fifteen minutes right after lunch or de-clutter the family room right after dinner
Weekly Routines are Flexible
Stay at home parents should schedule in some down time throughout their day. This can be in the afternoons while children are napping. Stay at home parents should definitely have down time in the evening after the children are in bed. Use that time to relax, refocus, plan the next day and rest.
A weekly routine isn’t set in stone, especially for busy families. However, having one ensures you aren’t drifting each day, wondering what to do next. Be flexible but use it as a guide.
Need more home organization tips? Read how to create a household notebook; tips on creating a morning routine or an evening routine; and setting goals for your family
Preslaysa Williams - Preslaysa Williams is a writer, wife and stay at home mom. She has several published articles both online and in magazines such as ...
