Weekend Routine for Busy Moms: Set Yourself Up for Success
If you are a busy mom, you know that every minute counts. If you work at an office and have to take your children to extracurricular activities, you may be on the struggle bus on a weekly basis. Even though the clock is 24 hours, you feel that time is clicking, and you cannot get everything done.
Having a schedule and planning beforehand can help you prepare for the week and set you for success. Let’s look at some things you can incorporate into your routine that will help you feel in better control of your life.
Prep meals
Although setting aside time on the weekend to prep meals can be challenging, it makes your busy week much easier. Meal prepping helps you make healthier food choices for the whole family. Personally, I enjoy making fruit and veggie shots to drink each day.
You can prep meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many busy moms just like you share their favorite recipes online. I’ve come across simple ideas like burrito bowls, chicken casseroles, chicken pita wraps, salads, protein pizza, and more. Below, I’ve listed some websites and Instagram accounts you might want to follow for inspiration.
Blog Websites
If you prefer not to prepare a whole meal beforehand, you can simply chop ingredients (e.g., vegetables) or marinate meats and store for use when needed.
I personally like to use my Ninja Blender and a spiralizer to prepare carrots and other frequently used vegetables. Another helpful tip is to plan your meals in advance, this adds variety, eliminates second-guessing, and ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand.
There are meal subscription services that provide you with recipes and all the ingredients needed for a meal. Other subscription services have the option of pre-made meals. Many of these services are costly so it depends on your budget and needs. Below I list some subscription services many busy mothers recommend. Check them out to see if any are worth trying.
Pre-portioned ingredients and recipes
Chef crafted pre-made meals
Meal kits and pre-made meals
Iron weekly clothes
Since I currently work in the office five days a week, I make it a habit to iron all my work clothes and my daughter’s school clothes on Saturdays. The key is to pair it with something enjoyable, like watching one of your favorite shows, so it feels like you’re making the most of your time. Mindset is everything! From experience, when I skip this step or don’t even think about what I’m going to wear, it adds unnecessary stress and extra tasks to my already busy week.
Check weekly school emails
If you want to stay on track and support your children’s success in school, make it a habit to check their weekly emails before Monday. My daughter’s teacher usually sends updates on Fridays, and I try to read them the same day so I know what topics will be covered and what homework is assigned.
Staying informed helps you avoid feeling lost or stressed during the week and prevents last-minute cramming for quizzes or tests. Teachers often plan a full week of activities that may require your child to bring specific materials or wear certain outfits. Being prepared ensures your child doesn’t miss out on important events or experiences.
Set exercise schedule
Taking care of yourself as a busy working mom is essential. While it can be challenging, it’s important to find time to exercise. Use the weekend to plan which days and times you can dedicate to your health and well-being. Creating and committing to a schedule helps you stay accountable. Personally, I aim to work out four days a week, twice during the week and again on Saturday and Sunday. Some weeks I only manage three workouts, and that’s okay, life happens.
I’m a big fan of barre (if you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it, you might love it too!). I attend classes at my local Pure Barre studio, which I’m lucky to have within walking distance. Convenience was a top priority when I started looking for nearby gyms or studios.
Pure Barre offers a variety of classes that blend barre, Pilates, and yoga. Since the schedule changes weekly, I always review the class offerings ahead of time and book based on my availability. I also have passes for other studios where I enjoy sound healing and yoga, and I try to plan those sessions in advance as well.
Set your child’s extracurricular schedule
If your child doesn’t have a fixed weekly schedule for extracurricular activities, it gives you the flexibility to adjust your own schedule as needed. For example, my daughter is enrolled in karate and attends three classes each week, but we have options when it comes to the days and times. While we try to stick to a consistent routine, I occasionally make changes if she has a test, if there are scheduling conflicts, or if it’s simply more convenient to attend class on a different day.
Plan for the upcoming weekend
When I'm not at work, I want to fully enjoy my time with my family. That’s why planning is essential. My husband and I regularly check our calendars and coordinate plans for the upcoming weekend. Family time is precious to me, so I always make space for bonding activities, whether it's staying in for a movie night, playing board games, or cooking a meal together.
Weekends often involve laundry, cleaning, and prepping for the upcoming week, so I try to use my time wisely. Sometimes, I’m tempted to stay in bed and do nothing, but then I think about how stressed I’ll feel later, and I choose to stick to my plan. Being even slightly organized and having a clear idea of what needs to get done helps me manage my time more effectively. I’m not the most organized person, but these habits have definitely helped me as a busy working mom.
Schedule time for additional tasks
In addition to finding time for exercising, meal prepping, studying with my daughter, and spending quality time with my family, I also like to find time to accomplish personal goals. One example is setting aside time to write my blog posts or learn a new skill.
Do you want to achieve new goals? Maybe at this moment in your life, you cannot think of anything because you are just in survival mode, and that is fine! If you have personal goals you want to accomplish and the desire to work towards those goals, think about realistic days and times. Maybe that means working on your goals for an hour during the weekend or 20-30 minutes during the week. It is better to take small consistent steps than to want to accomplish more than your mind and body can handle and then just burnt out.
Final Thoughts
As busy mothers we have too many responsibilities and tasks on our to-do list. Finding a way to organize yourself by planning beforehand will make your life easier and will be beneficial for your mental health. With your already busy schedule try to be realistic when wanting to add additional tasks to your list.
Best wishes,
Mel
