When we talk about ways to simplify our schedule, implementing routines and systems is always at the top of our list. We believe that routines, systems, and habits help to create a space that makes people feel safe and secure within their home. It makes our homes and our families feel steady. Striving to create simple traditions (like eating pizza on Friday nights) and establishing routines for household chores will change the way your household runs. These routines don’t have have to be complicated, but they do have to be consistent. Consistency cultivates efficiency and keeps things running smoothly in your household.
Today, we asked the women of our Simplicity Series what routines they implement weekly to help keep their family’s schedules running smoothly. Here’s what they said:
“I try to keep the same, familiar routine once my children arrive from school. The oldest does homework while my little one has T.V. time. Once homework is done, they usually play together. We eat and chat once my husband gets home from work. They get more playtime and then start preparing for bed around 7:30pm. Mornings have a similar routine.” – Lacoya Heggie, wife, mama, and founder of Hello Love Events
“I don’t know if it ever really runs smoothly but one little thing I have found that helps with making sure that we have family dinner around the same time each night is that every time I make soup (maybe weekly) I make a double batch and freeze it for busy school nights when we are running to gymnastics or have Bible study. We are also big proponents of regular early bed time for the kids (around 7pm) so that everyone gets the sleep they need and so that mom and dad get alone time to reconnect!” – Shay Cochrane, wife, mama to two sweet girls, and photographer extraordinaire
“I have a whiteboard and calendar in my kitchen. I write down the week’s menu for dinners on the whiteboard and buy all of the groceries for it on Sundays. I have started using Hello Fresh for meal deliveries, and that has greatly reduced my time on planning what we eat and shopping for it. We really love using Hello Fresh! I also keep a running tab of what’s needed, grocery wise, on that whiteboard and take a photo of it before going to the grocery. I do laundry on Sundays and Wednesdays, and I lay out the kids clothes the night before. My husband gets up at 6am every morning and gets the dog walked and showered before he does anything else, and that helps free up the time he needs to focus on the kids in the morning.” – Beth Gebhard, wife, mama to 2, and co-founder of Choice Media and Communications
“I have to write everything down. Creating lists and keeping a detailed calendar helps me stay on track.” – Kerry Gardner, wife, dog mama, and publicist extraordinaire
“Winston and I go over calendars and dinners for the week every Sunday night. We look at the week ahead, and then look at each night specifically to see when we will be home versus having something planned. That communication before the week starts helps us stay on top of our life week to week.” – Rachel Cruze, wife, mama, author, and finance guru
“I have a weekly dry-erase calendar on the fridge that I fill out every week. I can only take things one week at a time because with my travel schedule – I would get overwhelmed and confuse everyone in my family. Having that calendar on the fridge (in addition to the FamCal app for more detailed and long-term planning) allows us to know what to expect that week.” – Christy Wright, wife, boy mama, speaker, and author of Business Boutique
“We try to do at least one load of laundry a day. One day a week (usually Fridays) I try to get everything picked up at home, sheets changed, etc. I love to do it before the weekend so that I can fully invest in my family. A clean and organized home gives me real peace. The boys have a consistent schedule including the time they wake up, when they go to bed, when they have baseball or basketball practice, etc. It changes with the seasons, but they thrive when they have a regular routine and plenty of rest. On Sunday evenings I also plan meals for the week and talk with my husband about the week in general and anything we need to tackle together or divide and conquer.” – Heather Adams, wife, mama, and co-founder of Choice Media and Communications
