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Daily Routines For Working Moms: Real Life Schedules That Actually Work

If you're a working mom, then you know that finding a daily routine that works for you isn't easy. I know that social media have moms getting up at 5:00 am doing yoga, showing a spotless kitchen, and preparing school lunches. Now, I'm not saying this isn't possible, but it's not the everyday life of a busy mom because most mothers are exhausted.

Your alarm goes off at 5:30 in the morning, and now that you have kids. You can no longer hit the snooze button because you're afraid you'll over sleep. So, you get up, rush to the bathroom, get yourself together quickly, and you're out by 6:00 am because you have to get your kids up. At this moment, you're going down the hallway, knocking on bedroom doors, telling your children to get up for school.

As a working mom, you're trying your best to stay on schedule. You help your youngest child, who is your daughter get ready. As your oldest two sons are patiently waiting for breakfast in the kitchen. Once you bring your daughter down, you sit her at the table, and prepare to whip up something quick. So, you grab a carton of eggs, and some bacon. Then you look at your watch. You see that it's 6:35. It will take approximately 15 minutes to make breakfast. Which means you've managed to stay on schedule. The bus picks the oldest two up at roughly 7:05, and you leave out the door with your daughter around 7:12.

Once your kids have eaten, you wash what dishes you can, and put the rest in the dishwasher. The bus arrives, you make sure your oldest two board it, and seven minutes later you're out the door with your daughter. You drop her off at daycare, tell her you love her, and that you'll pick her up when you get off. But the day isn't over, you still have to work a 8 hour shift. Then pick your oldest up from football practice, the second oldest from tutoring, and your youngest from daycare. When you make it home, you still have to prepare dinner, clean, help with homework, and get your youngest ready for bed.

It's not easy to do, but if you have a daily routine then it's a lot less chaotic. I spoke to these working moms, and asked them what their daily routines were. Here is an inside look into their daily lives.

Disclaimer: I changed the names of the mothers and their kids for their protection

Heather Daily: How This Single Mom Raising 2 Disabled Kids Makes It Work

Heather, is a single mom, raising two disabled children, and she works 12 hour days. Actually, she works the swing shift at a local manufacturing plant from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. By the time she makes it home, it's time to get her children ready for school. It's always a struggle with her youngest Kyle because he was diagnosed with both autism and ADHD. If you want to learn more about autism or other mental health disorders, try the National Institute Of Mental Health.

For children like Kyle, consistency and predictability is key for his unique needs since it's difficult for him to try new things. Whereas her oldest Hannah (16), who suffers from depression, is active in school sports, and has a healthy social life. Which are support tools that help buffer stress, reduce isolation, and help increase emotional support according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here is an inside look of her daily routine that helps her manage her household.

• 6:15 - Get the kids up for school

• 6:30 - Spend time with Kyle to ensure he has a productive day at school. She also started a reward system for him. It's nothing extravagant, she just gives him more time to play his game after school.

• 6:45 - Since both her kids are picky eaters, she cooks a light breakfast of their favorite morning foods.

• 7:10 - They're walking out the door, and she has them both at school by 7:25. Before Kyle gets out of the car, Heather gives him a big hug, and tells him to call her if he needs anything.

• 7:40 - Heather's back home cleaning, washing dishes, and doing laundry. She'll sit next to her phone for 20 minutes in case Kyle calls, and if he doesn't she knows he'll be okay.

• 8:45 - By this time, Heather is in the bed asleep, resting while she can. Because she knows she has to pick Kyle up from school at 2:15 pm, prepare dinner, pick Hannah up at 5:00, and be at work by 6:00. This is her schedule Monday - Friday.

• Weekends - They aren't as hectic, but she tries spending as much time with her kids because of her busy work schedule.

Please know that autism is a spectrum. What works for Heather and her family, may not work for you and yours. It's always best to reach out to your child's doctor when making decisions for your family.

Samantha Mc'Cordy: A Working Mom Of Three And Full Time College Student

Samantha is a working mom of three, and she's currently taking college courses to become a psychologist. Even with cooking, cleaning, working full time, and college, she still finds a way to make time for herself. Her days are less stressful and chaotic since she stuck to a schedule that works best for her.

Samantha told me that she had to make major changes in her life because stress was making her sick. She said it was days when she would have serious headaches and occasional vomiting. Which are both conditions linked to chronic stress according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Her first thought were her kids, and how she has to be here for them because she's all they have. So, she began looking for help. One day she took her kids to the park, and she saw a group of moms talking a few feet away. She didn't want to be rude by interrupting, but something just told her to introduce herself. As she was walking toward them. She noticed Meghan, an old friend from high school standing among them. She said they were so polite, welcoming, and supportive, and that it was a life changing experience she'll never forget.

This was exactly what she needed. A support system of people who knew exactly what she was going through. When she made it back to her home. She knew she had found the help she needed, and was looking forward to their meetings twice a week. Samantha wanted me to tell you all her story, because she knows how difficult it is to raise children. Especially, when you're doing it alone.

Below is the routine she does on a daily basis that works best for her.

• Monday - She wakes up at 5:00 am and starts to cook breakfast. Her kids love a mix of blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes with bacon. Before she wakes them up for school. She eats at a small area in her home that she set up. It's not fancy, just a small table, a chair, and some of her favorite magazines. It's the peace of mind she enjoys. At 6:15 she wakes her kids up, and starts helping them get ready for school. With pancakes and bacon already ready, all she has to do is whip up some eggs and pour three glasses of orange juice. She drives them to school and comes straight home. Once the dishes are done, she sits in the area that she set up, and writes down how she's feeling. So, she can remember to discuss it with her friends tomorrow during their Tuesday and Friday meeting. At 8:15, she loggs onto her laptop to continue her studies. By 12:30 she's in the bed for a quick nap. Her alarm goes off at 2:05. It's time for an afternoon snack. Shortly after eating, she leaves home to pick her children up from school. She orders take out from a local restaurant because she works from home, and won't have time to cook dinner.

• From 3:25 to 4:15 she helps her children with their homework.

• At 4:30 she showers and is on her laptop by 5:00. Since she does remote work, she can keep an eye on her kids, bathe them, and put them to bed by 8:30. She'll have her work turned in before 11:30 pm. Before she lays down for bed she cleans up after her kids. Now, It's 1:00 am.

• Tuesday - She wakes up at 6:00 am on Tuesdays, and always brews herself a cup of coffee before she showers. Once breakfast is ready, she helps her kids get ready, and drops them off at school. On her way to Meghan's house, she stops at a local bakery, and orders what she can. It's roughly 8:00 am and she goes to Meghan's house for their Tuesday meetings . They always have breakfast before their group discussions. It's a safe space for moms to be heard, acknowledged, and supported. Once everyone has spoken, they pull names to see who will host next Tuesday and Friday. Samantha, has to hurry home to continue her school work. She makes it home around 10:30.

• Only to log off at 12:30 so she can take a quick nap. She said she makes sure to get 3 naps in a week. But once she's up, Samantha picks her children up from school early. She helps them with their homework, she finishes the rest of her college courses, and they eat leftovers for dinner. Her remote work was turned in before midnight.

• PAY ATTENTION - Wednesdays and Thursdays have become what she calls short party breaks. Once her kids are at school. She gets dressed and invites family and friends over. They party for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Only drinking mimosas, eating party foods, and cleaning up as they party. She doesn't drink anything, but she says it gives her a nice break to unwind. Once everyone is gone, she's on her laptop from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Doing what school work she can because she has to pick her children up from school. When they're back home, she prepares what she calls a soft dinner. Which is anything grilled or baked , with a salad, and a gluten free dessert. She helps them with their homework before they eat, finishes her remote work, bathes them, puts them to bed, cleans, and she'll be in bed by 12:00.

• Friday - She gets up at 4:00 am, so she can finish her school work. Once she's done, she begins to make breakfast. The sausage and biscuits are done by 6:15. With fifteen minutes to spare, Samantha reads one of her magazines. Once her kids are up, she follows the same routine from Tuesday. Unless It's her turn to host a meeting. Then she'll cook what she can because the other moms will bring food as well.

• The Weekend - She spends as much time with her children as possible.

Please know, that just because this schedule works for Samantha. It doesn't mean it will work for everyone else. She has found her own way to ease the stress of being a single mother. Neither she nor I would recommend you take her story as legal or expert advice. If you're having high levels of stress see a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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