I’ve been asked quite often how I manage an interior design business, THREE kids ages 4 and under, plus a blog. Everyday is so different I but I tried to break down our “typical” day as best as possible. Balancing motherhood and a business is challenging at times but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
I was inspired to share our schedule from reading other bloggers post theirs (before I even started a blog years ago!) I remember getting a few ideas and was encouraged to know that I COULD work and be a stay at home mom. Its definitely become a little trickier with three kids but multitasking, time management and having fun are the secrets 🙂
I debated for awhile posting this or not but ultimately decided that if it helps at least one person, then it’s worth it. Plus I think it’ll be fun to look back one day since every season is changing so much. Especially now that Harper flying through her baby stages (just turned 4 months!).
I did slow down on work quite a bit after Harper was born in the Spring. I had planned to take more time off but I really like working so that didn’t last long! I’m lucky I’ve found something that I love doing and am blessed that I have the ability to set my own schedule while raising 3 kids.
Keep in mind, every single day is very different but if I had to break down a “typical” day during the week (not a weekend!), this is what it would look like. Also, this is our SUMMER day. Now that Taylor just started school, things have changed a bit.
7-7:30am – We all wake up. I’ll check emails in bed if I’m up before the kids. Usually at least one of the girls sneaks in our bed in the middle of the night. Some mornings, we will wake up and there will be 5 of us in the bed, plus our dog😜. I’m not complaining though because I know I will miss this someday. Regardless of where everyone slept, we try to spend at least 10-15 mins relaxing and talking before we officially start the day.
7:30ish – Breakfast, laundry, check and respond to emails if possible. Eric loves to cook in the mornings which is great for me! (Ps. he makes incredible egg sandwiches!)
8-11:30am – We usually have some type of activity or play date planned (ballet, pool, playgroup, zoo, etc). I did limit the number of activities we signed up for since we had a newborn this summer. We do try to get out of the house for something though every morning. Even if it’s just going to a new park. This is the best time for the kids to have fun and get energy out (before lunch and naps).
11:30am-1:00pm. Lunch with kids, clean up the house a little, laundry and do some work if I can. Taylor and Kinzie play really well together which has helped a ton that they entertain each other! I can spend time with just Harper or get work done if she’s sleeping.
1:00-4:00pm – This is the probably the most unpredictable time. Depending on how busy of a work week it is for me, my mom or our babysitter will help out during these hours. If it’s a more relaxed week, I try to get a nap in for Kinzie and plan some kind of light activity. Either visitIng a local park, art project at home but sometimes its a small shopping trip out or ice cream run 🙂
4:00-7:00pm – Dinner, baths and wind down for bed. Thank goodness Eric can take the lead on most nights during this time frame. I’ll usually get dinner ready for the kids then run out to work or sometimes just upstairs with my laptop. Dishes and picking up are usually done though between these hours too.
One thing we started doing is journaling every night with the kids. Bedtimes are never easy but the girls absolutely love when it’s time to journal in bed. This is amazing for us because they will run upstairs to journal! We’ve been using the Five-Minute Journal for Kids and this one for myself.
8:00-10:00pm -This is my time to decompress. I also usually take a bath every night and read. Sometimes for an hour or sometimes only for 15 minutes. I’m currently reading the book Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist. (it’s sooo good!). I first heard about her when she contributed an article to Magnolia Journal and found her writing so inspirational.
Writing out our typical day also helped me realize how much I appreciate being on a schedule!
Okay, one last picture cause I can’t get enough of these 3! And I realized we barely have any of all three girls together so had to document 😉
PIN for later!
I recently watched a Youtube video about scheduling your time in blocks. I’m not sure it is for me, so I’m exploring the routines of others in hopes that I can create one for myself. You certainly do accomplish a lot in your day! I need to take notes!
That sounds like a great idea with the blocks! Do you remember the name of the video? I’d love to check it out!
That relaxation/decompression time at night is so important! Your kids are adorable–glad you’ve found a schedule that works for you.
Thanks Tracy! I completely agree about the relaxation time (it has been a lifesaver!)
I love that schedule… I need to get better about scheduling our days with our son. I find we have much smoother days when it’s on a consistent routine.
Anything that makes my day “smoother” is a win!!
I always need some time to decompress after the kids go to bed! It makes such a difference with my sanity!