Wake up, change a diaper…or three, make breakfast, clean up breakfast, get kids dressed, clean up a mess, make lunch, clean up lunch, clean up another mess….you get the idea- a mom’s work is neverending- and honestly, it can be kinda boring and can wear you down pretty quickly.

I call it the hamster wheel.

We can stay on it all day and never feel a sense of accomplishment. It is mind numbing and can leave you feeling exhausted. These tasks within the home are important and do need to be done, but if you do not take time to get off that hamster wheel it is harder to find enjoyment in the day.

You may say ‘how in the world can I get off that hamster wheel when the tasks are never ending?’ Here is how I do it. I break up the day into two sessions- a morning and an afternoon. In each session I get a break AND I get a break in between these sessions. Maybe you don’t need to get off the hamster wheel as often as I do, but for me to be at my best I need this time to not do those mindless tasks.

Here is what this looks like for me. In the morning I wake up before everyone and I get 30 minutes to myself. Sure some mornings the kids may wake up during this time and they may try to take my attention, but they have learned that this 30 minutes is not for them and they can play independently until I am ready to make them breakfast or help them with whatever they need me for.

I will actually go as far as to say this time where I am off the hamster wheel is not only beneficial for me, but it is healthy for them as well. They learn independence and learn to patiently wait.

After the morning session we have quiet time from 1 to 3pm where the little kids take a nap and the big kids have quiet time. This is the time where I can either workout, start on dinner, clean if I want, work on my blog, plan ahead, read, think, or just whatever. It is time where I am off the hamster wheel and can choose what direction I go with my time. It is essential!

Then, in the evening session it gets super crazy from like 4-6pm- I call it the witching hours! I am 100% on that hamster wheel. The messes build up and the dishes pile and there are crafts and laundry and baths and oh.my.goodness. But then- bedtime! I lay the little kids down and then clean up a little and then I am off the hamster wheel again. The big kids know that mom is now laying down and they are on their own for snacks, drinks, etc. They can help themselves after the babies go to bed and yes, the big kids make messes during this time, too- but I am not getting back on that hamster wheel until morning.

A mom cannot function at their best if they are going all day long with no breaks for themselves.

Here is what it looks like:

• 7:30am-8am: OFF
• 8:00am-1:00pm: ON
• 1:00pm-3:00pm: OFF
• 3:00pm-8:00pm: ON
• 8:00pm-10:00pm: OFF

With this system, after I have 30 min to myself in the morning there are sometimes messes from the evening from before after I sat down for the night, but that is okay because I am mentally ready for it from about 8:30am until 1pm when quiet time starts again.

I love being a stay at home mom and I wouldn’t want it any other way, but I have found that I am at my best for myself and for my family when I have a few breaks throughout the day. What is that quote, ‘if momma ain’t happy than no one is happy.’ With this system I am at my best which is the me that I want my family to have.

This schedule works for us and has been a big sanity saver for myself and for my friends that I have shared this system with. I hope that this idea can help you find more energy and enjoyment in your days too!

Get off that hamster wheel, momma!

Until next time,