While he didn't mean to hurt you (and really, he didn't), those words stung a little bit. Because you know that you didn't get as much done as you wanted to. 

People ask, “what do SAHMs do during the day?” and all SAHMs moms laugh and scoff, but really, some days, what did we do? Run around like a headless chicken getting ½ of every to-do list complete? But never fully able to check something off that list? And why do we care so much about that dang list, anyway?

The Real Reason We Want To Be More Productive At Home

In reality, it’s not about checking things off a list. Let's time capsule back to the beginning: why did you want to be a stay at home mom to begin with? My guess is that it was not so that you could scrub jelly off the floor or put the blocks back in the bin 5 times a day. My guess is that your reasons were similar to mine:

• to engage fully and freely with your kids
• because you wanted to be present to raise and teach your little ones
• to be able to cuddle and read books, draw pictures, to go on hikes and talk about God’s creation at any point during the day
• to create a peaceful home

I bet every one of us craves to be more productive at home so that we can have a peaceful home and enjoy our family. But with our minds going in a million directions at once, where do we start? Here are 17 tips to help you be a more productive at home.

17 Tips To Be More Productive At Home

1. Slow Down

This sounds counterintuitive, but slowing down can actually help you be more productive and focused. It is far too easy, with kids running around and loud voices constantly in the background, to get overwhelmed. Sometimes it just takes slowing down, breathing deeply, and spending some time looking at those kissable faces and chubby fingers.  Pause the to-do list long enough to listen to the baby prattle, toddler babblings, and stories from your little ones--it means the world to them when you stop and listen “with your eyes” to their words. Remember the point is not to get your to-do list fully checked. The point is to be there - to be present, both physically and mentally, with your kids. 

2. Get Into A Daily Routine At Home

I'm not talking about hardcore minute by minute scheduling here (that will only leave you frustrated). Rather, work on structuring your day so that you don't have twenty things on your list to get done NOW. Know what you want to get done when. Don't start one task, and then get distracted with another. If you want to be more productive at home, finish what you started before moving on! Some practical ideas:

• Laundry gets put in right after breakfast and folded during nap
• Do the dishes right after every meal
• On the floor, intentional play with the kids happens around 10AM-11:30AM and then again in the afternoon right after nap-time (no distractions here, just play!). 

If you need to, it can be helpful to jot down 5 or 6 things you’d like to accomplish that day and then choose the top few that are most important to you and work on those.  Make your goals manageable. 

3. Wake Up Before The Kids Do

And here it is - maybe the hardest to hear, but the most important one. And all it takes is a trusty alarm clock and a little discipline. If you need some help, grab "Become An Early Bird: The Ultimate Checklist" (link below) to walk you through the habits you can build to help you finally get up before the kids! 

4. Take A Shower And Get Dressed

You will feel better, I promise. Anything other than sweat pants and a baggy tee-shirt will leave you feeling like a million bucks. Not only does it put me in a more energetic mood, but it also helps me to get my day going and get things done. I know it can be hard to get a shower in with the kids around, but here are a few helpful suggestions:

• Shower before your husband leaves for work
• Get up early to shower and get dressed before the kids are up
• If your kids are old enough, set them up with an activity (colors, books, blocks) to play with while you take 15 minutes to get ready for the day 
• Let your little ones play in the bathroom (make sure everything that could be hazardous is out of the way) while you pop in the shower

5. Set Up Playdates With Other Moms

While this does not automatically make you more productive at home, adding some time with other moms to chat and play will help you be more focused later on. There are days when it feels like more will get done if everyone stays at home, but you can get into a bit of a rut when that happens all the time. It can be so encouraging to spend time with other mamas and to enjoy watching your kids play together.  Get out, have some fun, then get home and put those clothes in the washing machine.

6. Get A Cookbook

This has made meal planning for me so much easier (and more fun, to be honest!). A few weeks ago I broke down and bought this 100 Days of Real Food Cookbook and have LOVED it. Each weekend I pick 3-4 new recipes to make, write down the ingredients, and go shopping. It has been well worth the $15 (just ask my husband 🙂 ). 

In general, meal planning will help you to prepare for the week ahead of time, so that each day you are not scrounging around the kitchen at 4:45 p.m. trying to figure out what to cook while the kids are crying in the background. That never leaves you in a good mood.  Make dinner time more peaceful and enjoyable by the simple step of planning ahead.

7. Write Down A Cleaning/Laundry Routine

Some examples/ideas:

• every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday do laundry (washing in the AM, folding during nap-time)
• vacuum and mop on Fridays
• kitchen deep clean check on Wednesdays (clean out fridge, wipe down cabinets, etc.)
• Clean bathrooms Saturday mornings (when your husband can watch the kids)

Pick a routine/system that works best for your family. 

8. Utilize Nap-time

If your kids are older and not currently on a nap schedule, start a quiet time routine. And then use this time to your advantage! Take the first 15 minutes to sit and breath, then get started making dinner or folding laundry or getting some work done. And make it fun! Turn on a show or listen to a podcast...you'll feel a little bit like you are on vacation while still being productive.

9. Go Minimal

The more stuff we have in our homes, the more chaos and clutter and cleaning up. Getting rid of toys, clothes, furniture, and nic-nacs, that we don't ACTUALLY use, will change how you go about your day. Our brain has limited space...don't fill it with things that don't matter and aren't useful to you and your family (I am not really into the idea of "only keep it if it gives you joy", but there is a little wisdom in that...).

10. Clean The Kitchen Right After Each Meal

A sink full of dirty dishes will kill your energy and mood. Those spaghetti smeared plates will glare at you all day -- while you play on the floor with your kiddos, read books on the couch, fold clothes -- reminding you of all that you still have to get done. That dang sink of dirty dishes will scream your failures at you all day long (and just so you know, not getting the house cleaned is not a failure).

Don't let those dishes sabotage your day.

G.E.T. I.T. D.O.N.E.

11. Finish A Job Before Moving On

And this same idea applies to other tasks as well. A house of 20 half-finished tasks is more draining and depleting than a house full of 19 uncompleted tasks, and one done fully. Completing a task, checking that box off your list, is like taking a shot of energy. So, once you start something, finish it! 

Obviously, as moms, there are always interruptions. So this is not about ignoring everything/everyone else to get something done. It's about building the habit of not letting YOU distract YOURSELF from finishing a job.

12. Tidy Up The House Before You Go To Bed

Start the day off right by ending the previous day well. 

When the kids go to bed it can be tempting to jump into it yourself. But if toys are strewn about  and dishes are still not washed, go ahead and take 30 minutes to get that done before you call it a night. It will help your mood in the A.M., and set you up to be more productive at home the next day.

13. Teach The Kids To Put Away Their Toys

You can't be more productive at home without getting a little help. Not only does getting your little ones to pick up help you, it also teaches your kiddos that they need to be responsible for what they get out and for their possessions. As little, growing humans, they need to know that they have a part in keeping the household running smoothly. And if they are not learning to pick up at home, they are not going to understand why they have to at church, or school, or their friend's house. 

Let your kids put their toys up throughout the day, but especially:

• Before you leave the house
• Before nap-time
• Before bed

14. Pick That Hobby Back Up That You Have Missed

Being creative - letting those fun, playful juices flow - can do wonders to help us be motivated, energized, and more productive at home. So grab those knitting needles. Whip out that old canvas and paint brush. Start writing again. Read a novel or bake bread! Just go for a run. Add a little bit of something that you love into your day (and mornings might just be the best time to do that.)

15. Get The Kids Dressed and Ready First Thing When They Wake Up

This tip is a game changer when you have somewhere to be later in the day. If the kids get dressed right when they get up (before leaving their room), then the wrangling and running around dramatically decreases when it is time to leave. In fact, this is a great habit to begin with your children--getting dressed, making the bed, and brushing their teeth is a wonderful way to teach them responsibility and ensures that everyone is ready to embrace the day. 

16. Have A Designated Phone Station

It is a pet peeve for my husband when someone doesn't answer the phone or reply to a text in a timely manner. Because of that, I have found myself in the habit of carrying my phone around the house with me ALL.THE.TIME. Because I have it on me, it makes it easier for me to take a few minutes here or there to scroll through Facebook or the news. 

Setting up a phone charging station in your house will help curb the temptation to grab it and mindlessly scroll. It's a time sucker, and a killer of productivity. We all know it! Let this station be your phone's home -- where it stays unless you are leaving the house or talking on it while moving around your home. But once you're done with that call, put it back! 

You can do this pretty simply with a wall plug adaptor, or a 4 plug USB charger set up in your kitchen or near a desk. Or, if you are feeling crafty, check out these DIY ideas here and here.

>>> #16 is really my #1 tip if you want to be more productive at home: you've got to do something about that phone!

17. Remember That Your Kids Are Learning From You

So don't be L.A.Z.Y. They are watching you, learning from you. When you find yourself gravitating towards that phone, pull yourself away. Hop down and play with kids or get the laundry out of the dryer instead.  Invite the kids to join you in whatever it is you are doing--switching over the laundry, doing dishes, sprinkling salt on the stew, or even sweeping the floor. Children love to help and they especially love to be with their mama!

Those kiddos of yours are looking to you to learn hard work, sacrifice, and productivity.  Teach them well, by doing well.

Now it's time for YOU to be more productive at home!

So there you have it friend, 17 tips to help you be more productive at home. I am curious, which one sticks out to you the most? Which one are you going to implement first? Drop me an email or comment below!

I'm rooting for you!