Anonymous
03/26/2025 04:23
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
What about immersing yourself in some kind of pet project you value? For instance, I’d love to make each of my kids a scrapbook/photo album of their greatest hits and print out pictures for them to flip though to give them as a gift when they get older or graduate
Anonymous
03/25/2025 21:05
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
Anonymous wrote:I workout most days with either a neighbor or a friend. My retired neighbor and I ride to the pool together (mentioning this to say you could branch out beyond people in your same situation and phase of life).
I go meet my working friends for lunch at their workplace, or meet my work-from-home neighbors for a lunchtime walk.
I volunteer a lot, and I also spend a lot of time doing the things other people outsource (cleaning, gardening, etc.)
I am one of the PPs and yes I have several retired friends on the street. All are slightly younger than my parents and lovely friends!
Anonymous
03/25/2025 18:39
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
I workout most days with either a neighbor or a friend. My retired neighbor and I ride to the pool together (mentioning this to say you could branch out beyond people in your same situation and phase of life).
I go meet my working friends for lunch at their workplace, or meet my work-from-home neighbors for a lunchtime walk.
I volunteer a lot, and I also spend a lot of time doing the things other people outsource (cleaning, gardening, etc.)
I go meet my working friends for lunch at their workplace, or meet my work-from-home neighbors for a lunchtime walk.
I volunteer a lot, and I also spend a lot of time doing the things other people outsource (cleaning, gardening, etc.)
Anonymous
03/25/2025 17:53
Subject: Re:SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
If you miss regular adult interaction, you should plan stuff with your friends and family! Don’t you know anyone who stays at home, is retired, works part time, or works a non-traditional schedule?
I thought one of the worst parts of being a WOHM was that I had no time for friends and meaningful adult interaction.
I thought one of the worst parts of being a WOHM was that I had no time for friends and meaningful adult interaction.
Anonymous
03/25/2025 16:55
Subject: Re:SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
Anonymous wrote:When my kids were older and in school - after I finished with cleaning, laundry, cooking, exercise, grooming, catching up with friends and family on phone - I spent my time in researching and making enrichment lesson-plans for them for when they came back from school. I also planned their weekend activities, did prep work for hosting our friends, found out opportunities for my family and DH&I, worked on planning our vacations and trips, managed our finances, shopped for clothes etc, managed out home remodelling and improvement projects and managed our landscaping needs etc.
When my DH came back, there was no major chores or 'honey do' lists for him. He just had to spend time with the kids and me. My kids came back and had to spend time playing in the neighborhood, in their EC classes, instrument practice, and then sit with me or DH for enrichment/acceleration for one or two hours during the week.
I also squeezed in a nap for myself each day.
This sounds like what I do.
Making sure my kid has everything lined up for her can take a surprising amount of work. I also invest quite a lot in my family's social network. And I didn't realize that I read like a beast until I learned how little other people actually read.
Anonymous
03/25/2025 16:25
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
You’re the opposite of me, OP. I thought I would have so much time! I said I would
- help out as an assistant coach to a D3 women’s rowing team
- do the directories and volunteer at two different schools
- install floor to ceiling bookshelves in the living room
- be president of the ladies guild at church
- teach fifth grade religious Ed, which I had never done before
- put the word out that I would provide emergency childcare for two-physician couples
I was busier than I had ever been. Haha!
- help out as an assistant coach to a D3 women’s rowing team
- do the directories and volunteer at two different schools
- install floor to ceiling bookshelves in the living room
- be president of the ladies guild at church
- teach fifth grade religious Ed, which I had never done before
- put the word out that I would provide emergency childcare for two-physician couples
I was busier than I had ever been. Haha!
Anonymous
03/25/2025 16:05
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
Anonymous wrote:I was recently laid off and decided I would give staying home with the kids a try. It has only been 2 weeks but I am finding that I am really bored and miss regular adult interaction, so trying to figure out how to structure my days a bit better.
So far, my typical day is as follows with my kids being out the door by 8:30am:
- straighten up the house (30-60 mins depending on what needs to be done - laundry, load dishwasher, organize)
- go for a walk or do a workout video (30-60 mins)
-shower and get dressed (30 mins)
- prep and cook dinner (1 hour)
All of the above gets me to lunch time and then I have a few more hours until pick up. A couple days a week I have errands to run like groceries, returns, dry cleaning, but that takes 1-2 hours max isn’t every day. We have a weekly cleaning crew so they typically do a deeper clean.
What else are people doing regularly to fill the time between 8:30-2:45pm essentially?
I’m planning to go back to school, so I’m currently working on all the pieces I’ll need for my applications.
Anonymous
03/25/2025 15:57
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
Anonymous wrote:
If you have time, here are the things you can do -
- Declutter your house and embrace a minimalist lifestyle
- Declutter and organize your garage, fridge, freezer, pantry, dressers and closets, basement, attic.
- Get rid of clothes, paperwork that you do not need
- Try and purge at least 30% of stuff from your house
- Make a Will and get your financial papers in order
- Clean and store away your winter gear
- Get your cars serviced and cleaned
- Host people. Make a list of people that you know, group them according to their personalities or interests etc, then start planning formal and informal get togethers. I am sure you need to reciprocate to people who have hosted you.
- Take a look at the syllabus of what your kids are studying in school. Find them a team of educators, tutors, coaches for their education and EC activities and start putting these activities on calendar. You have been given a chunk of time so please use it to educate your children.
- Schedule all the family members their annual medical checkups for dental, eyes, derm, PCP, specialists - while you still have medical insurance.
- Start teaching adulting skills to your children. Cook, clean, do laundry, hang a picture.
- Start teaching workplace skills to your children.
- Start teaching academic skills to your children.
- Watch documentaries and expand your brain.
Finally, improve your professional credentials so you can find another job.
All of this. I wouldn’t say probably start with getting your finances in order if they aren’t.
Also
- call your mom
- make some friends and go get lunch or coffee
linjindan444
03/24/2025 22:36
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
Hobbies/Skills: Try a creative outlet (painting, writing) or online courses (Coursera, Skillshare).
Social Time: Meet other parents for coffee, or join virtual/workplace interest groups to stay connected.
Side Projects: Freelance work, volunteering, or even starting a blog could add purpose.
The transition is tough—balance productivity with self-care. Wishing you clarity in this new chapter!
Social Time: Meet other parents for coffee, or join virtual/workplace interest groups to stay connected.
Side Projects: Freelance work, volunteering, or even starting a blog could add purpose.
The transition is tough—balance productivity with self-care. Wishing you clarity in this new chapter!
Anonymous
03/24/2025 22:13
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
My kids are older but when I was a SAHM and the kids were not yet in school all day, I would meetup with other moms for lunch or play dates. On our solo days we did classes or went on outings to the library, zoo, etc. Once my youngest was in school, I volunteered in multiple capacities (classroom, library, PTA, scouts). I also would try to meet a mom friend once a week for a leisurely lunch. On most days, I went to the gym, ran errands, spent a little time cleaning, etc. I also read when time allowed.
Anonymous
03/24/2025 21:58
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
You'll get into a new groove and find stuff to do.
I am not a SAHM but I like to always have a creative project going. I also have someone to deep clean a couple times per mo.
I am out of the office 2 days/wk... so I read a lot, mostly online, mostly nonfiction, to learn stuff. Workout. Cook. Lunch or walk with a friend. Yoga class at the studio.
As you have more time, you should enroll in some kind of class to get out of the house and get more adult stimulation - could be a hobby type class or exercise class or an academic class at MC.
I am not a SAHM but I like to always have a creative project going. I also have someone to deep clean a couple times per mo.
I am out of the office 2 days/wk... so I read a lot, mostly online, mostly nonfiction, to learn stuff. Workout. Cook. Lunch or walk with a friend. Yoga class at the studio.
As you have more time, you should enroll in some kind of class to get out of the house and get more adult stimulation - could be a hobby type class or exercise class or an academic class at MC.
Anonymous
03/24/2025 18:41
Subject: Re:SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
I took my kid to school and picked him up everyday. No drop off line so I'd park in the neighborhood and walk in with him. Lots of SAHMs to chat with on the playground. Some days I'd stay and help at the school. Some days I'd go for coffee or a walk with other moms (or by myself). Was in a weekly knitting group. Was on the PTA board so that required some time. Chaperoned many field trips. Grocery shopping, cleaning the house, reading.
Anonymous
03/24/2025 17:19
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
Longtime SAHM here. Kids are 17 and 14. High School starts late here so DD doesn't leave until 9am.
7am - wakeup, have coffee, read news, pack lunch for MS daughter. She leaves at 8am. Then pack lunch for older daughter who leaves at 9am. Chat with DH.
Then I eat a small breakfast, fully clean the kitchen/empty dishwasher and drying rack, etc., do a load of laundry, and then do at least one bigger cleaning task like cleaning a bathroom, mopping, or changing sheets, etc. I don't have a housecleaner so I just rotate through the household chores a little each day. I also use this time to pay a doctor's bill, sign up for a camp/activity/etc.
Have lunch. Usually at home, but maybe once a week I will go out with a friend or DH.
1-3pm - this is when I would run an errand or two, get my hair or nails done, Costco, grocery store, etc.
Then I come home, rest, read DCUM, prep dinner.
7am - wakeup, have coffee, read news, pack lunch for MS daughter. She leaves at 8am. Then pack lunch for older daughter who leaves at 9am. Chat with DH.
Then I eat a small breakfast, fully clean the kitchen/empty dishwasher and drying rack, etc., do a load of laundry, and then do at least one bigger cleaning task like cleaning a bathroom, mopping, or changing sheets, etc. I don't have a housecleaner so I just rotate through the household chores a little each day. I also use this time to pay a doctor's bill, sign up for a camp/activity/etc.
Have lunch. Usually at home, but maybe once a week I will go out with a friend or DH.
1-3pm - this is when I would run an errand or two, get my hair or nails done, Costco, grocery store, etc.
Then I come home, rest, read DCUM, prep dinner.
Anonymous
03/24/2025 16:27
Subject: SAHMs, how do you structure your day?
Anonymous wrote:As a mother with two kids in braces and another with complex medical needs I spend so much time doing appointments - at least once per week
Ma'am, you have completely lost perspective on what it means to be busy if you think having one appointment per week keeps you busy.