April 15th, 2009 by Kristi Stephens

When I started staying home full time with my firstborn, I was honestly having a struggle adjusting to homemaker-hood. She was not an easy baby, combined with a lot of nursing drama, combined with adjusting to having no external schedule set for me, and it wasn’t an easy step from the working world. It wasn’t terrible, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t a breeze, either.

One of the things that really helped me was a suggestion from my sister to create a schedule for myself that made my days different from one another and helped me stay on task. This has been an ongoing challenge for me ever since – I try to think of being a mother and homemaker in terms of it being my job, not just “staying home with my kids.”

Let me clarify: I am very much a work in progress in this area!

At this point along the journey, here is my weekly cleaning schedule that helps me stay somewhat on top of the housework without it overtaking my life. Sometimes I’ll really deep-clean the kitchen or bathroom and then get kinda annoyed at my husband for not commenting. If I say something he often says, “I can tell now that you did that… but it’s just usually pretty clean so sometimes I don’t notice.” I think that’s a good complement. I will choose to look at it that way. ;)

Monday: Laundry
Tuesday: Vacuum, dust, declutter
Wednesday: Kitchen
Thursday: Bathroom
Friday: Catch up, once-over of the house

This is my goal, and it does not always happen this way. (Like when I’m still working on laundry on Thursday). But, it definitely helps to have something to shoot for!

My daily schedule is still a work in progress. I have one, it’s just an issue of sticking to it. :)

Do you have a weekly/ daily routine that helps you keep your life in order? For more “works for me Wednesday” tips, head over to We Are That Family!