TL;DR
A stay-at-home mom going back to full-time work asked Kathi how to organize home and schedule. Expect four to six weeks before the new routine feels normal. List every weekly must-do task, hand off what you can to your partner or a helper, map your available hours on a weekly schedule, and teach the kids to get ready for school on their own.
Dear Kathi,
I have been a stay at home mom for the past four years. My youngest child is entering pre-school and his brother is in Kindergarten.
I have just accepted a full-time position and will re-enter the workforce at the end of this month. I’m wondering if you have any tips for organizing my home and schedule.
Candice, San Diego
Candice,
Realize right away that it will take 4-6 weeks before you feel any sense of normalcy with your new routine. Your kids and partner will need time to get used to the fact that mommy is no longer available 24/7. Once they get a new sense of the routine, they will adjust and forget that you were available every moment they wanted a snack or a play partner.
Regarding your new schedule, it is critical to plan in advance and prioritize your tasks. Sit down and compile a list of “must do” household tasks that occur every week. Sub-divide this list into categories like housekeeping, children, shopping/errands.
Once your list is compiled, sit down with your spouse if possible and go through this list. See what, if any tasks can be delegated to him or an outside helper. Reduce your list in as many areas as possible.
Once tasks are agreed upon and assigned, it is time to create a weekly schedule. Draw up a timeline that graphically shows which hours you have available to complete family tasks and provide childcare.
Teach children to prepare for school as much as they can on their own. A canvas 5 tiered shelf that hangs from their closet bar is a perfect place for your kids to stow 5 school outfits in advance every Sunday.
Make lunches and snack bags ahead of time so they are always ready during the morning rush or after school.
Thanks for writing and don’t hesitate to write with any other specific questions.
Please submit your questions to: [email protected].
San Diego Professional Organizer
Keep reading
- Organizing Work in Multiple LocationsOne calendar, a portable file box and buffer time between appointments.
- Organizing “To Do” ListOne planner, numbered priorities and no errands on impulse.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to adjust to going back to work?
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Kathi says to expect four to six weeks before your new routine feels normal. Your children and partner need time to get used to you no longer being available around the clock. Once they settle into the new routine, they adjust.
How do I organize household tasks when I start working full time?
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Make a list of the must-do household tasks that happen every week and divide it into categories such as housekeeping, children, and shopping and errands. Then go through the list with your spouse and see which tasks can be handed to him or to an outside helper.
How do I make a weekly schedule for a working family?
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Once tasks are agreed on and assigned, draw up a timeline that shows which hours you have available for family tasks and childcare. Seeing the week laid out makes it clear what fits and what needs to be delegated or dropped.
How can I make school mornings easier?
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Teach the children to get ready for school on their own as much as they can. A hanging five-shelf organizer in their closet lets them set out five school outfits every Sunday, so the week’s clothes are ready before the morning rush.
What else saves time for a working parent?
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Make lunches and snack bags ahead of time so they are ready during the morning rush and after school. Planning ahead and prioritizing your tasks is what makes the new schedule work.
