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This post, Evening Routine for Working Moms, was written as a result of my own challenges. As a working mom, I was always so concerned about taking care of everyone else that I neglected to take care of myself. The result wasn’t pretty and one that I hope to never repeat. I was always tired and definitely not the best version of myself.

Today I am here to share with you what my new and improved evening routine looks like and how you can make it your own.

So how can you get the most of your evening routine when all you want to do is relax on the couch? Between making dinner, running kids to practice and all the other extras you have in the evening, the last thing on your mind is preparing for the following day.

What I have come to realize is when I prepare for tomorrow, I wake up feeling less stressed and I can focus on my morning routine.

Related Post:

Morning Routine for Working Moms

Read on to find out how this evening routine for working moms can make a positive difference in how you start the next day.

How to Prepare for the Following Day

Start After Dinner

Immediately after dinner, start by cleaning the kitchen, loading the dishwasher and preparing lunches for the following day. If you’re not a coffee drinker in the evening, prepare the coffee pot and program it to start 15 minutes before your alarm goes off. This way, you’re more likely to get up if you can smell the coffee brewing.

I prefer to empty the dishwasher before heading to bed if time permits. If not, I allow a few extra minutes in the morning to make sure the dishes are put away.

Time Saving Tips:

• Use any downtime while cooking to start on lunch prep. Make sandwiches or cut up any fruits or vegetables for a quick assembly in the morning. 

• Package up any leftovers for lunch. In my house, this only pertains to the adults. 

Plan for the Next Day

With younger ones at home, you may be focused on special school events, daycare pick-up/drop-off, little league practices and such. Talking about the day ahead can help eliminate unwanted stress from not having a plan in place. Between work schedules and juggling kids, knowing the plan for tomorrow can help at least reduce unwanted stress from not being prepared (such as an early morning trip to the grocery store to buy snacks for the little league game). 

As my children have gotten older, our schedule as a family has changed dramatically. Our conversations around the dinner table are focused around our calendar. Who has an upcoming appoinment? What time is soccer practice? When is the next game and where? What are our weekend plans? Does anyone have to work? 

Using a wall calendar, planner or sharing a family calendar using Apple or Google can be a great way to keep everyone organized and on time. 

Iron Clothes

I grew-up in a family that ironed every single piece of clothing that was worn and washed from the previous week. Every. Single. Piece. Nothing went into a closet or drawer than wasn’t ironed and ready to be worn.

Well…times have changed and it is not practical to spend an entire Sunday afternoon ironing clothes. My grown-up self prefers to iron on an “as needed” basis. If on the weekends I plan every outfit for the week and can iron those clothes I do, but most often it is a nightly chore.

Taking five minutes to iron clothes for the following day doesn’t seem like you’ll be saving yourself much time until the day comes when you’re running late and you really need those five minutes. If I had to choose between make-up and ironed clothes, make-up would definitely win.

Essential Evening Routines that are Just for You

Get Active

Everyone knows that physical exercise is the key to staying healthy. What everyone doesn’t always know is how to find the time. I feel like I had more time to exercise when my kids were younger and I could spend an hour at the gym before picking them up from preschool.

As my kids have gotten older and their schedules have become busier, I have to be creative to find time to get active. I walk my dog twice a day and that is great, but I don’t walk fast enough and I stop often to allow my dog to smell every tree along the way. In other words, I’m not raising my heart rate walking my dog.

Alternatives to spending hours at the gym can be getting out your yoga mat or towel and striking a few poses. Perhaps after you drop off your sports star for practice you can take advantage of the time and go for a brisk walk or run. This works great for me when outdoor practice begins. More recently, my husband and I have been making every attempt to go walking together in the evening when our schedule and the weather allows it. Walking with him quickens my pace and the time spent together a wonderful way to reconnect after a busy day or week.

Another option for you may be to utilize the many exercise apps you can download on your phone. I use the 7 Minute Workout app which provides me with 12 high intensity bodyweight exercises that can be completed in 7 minutes. Each exercise is 30-seconds long with 10 seconds to rest in between. There are different workout options and you can even customize your workout. Seven minutes is a small investment and it will make you feel so much better than doing nothing at all. Even on my busiest days I can manage 7 minutes.

Take a Hot Shower or Bath

Taking a hot shower or bath to totally relax your muscles is one of the most fabulous ways to end your day. If I’m sore from chasing preschoolers around (true story) or just really tense, I prefer to soak in bath salts. I light some candles, put on some relaxing music and slip into a meditative state of pure bliss.

You can almost feel the stress leave your body.

Keep a Journal

Writing down private thoughts in a journal is something I strive to do on a regular basis. I am not always able to write every night, but when I do I can always tell a difference in how calm I feel. Between reading at night and writing in my journal, I am able to completely unwind from my day and get the sleep I need.

Need a journal? Find some of the prettiest journals available anywhere at Erin Condren. Shop here.

It’s taken me a long time to get to this point where I am determined to spend as much time as I need to take care of myself. After nearly 30 years of working as an educator in various roles, my job has become increasingly more difficult and challenging. I know that if I’m going to be my best self for the students, the teachers I work with and my family, I have to consider taking care of my own needs.

It’s similar to traveling on an airplane and the flight attendants demonstrate the various safety drills. Adults are told to put on their oxygen mask first before helping others. Same concept.

Read

Nothing helps me to unwind and get ready to sleep better than a book. For many years I wouldn’t allow myself time to enjoy a book; claiming that I didn’t have time. Not sure why it took me so long to understand that doing something I enjoy doesn’t have to be earned. No one ever made me feel this way, I just always put that expectation on myself. Putting that in writing makes it sound even worse. Nowadays, I make time to read regardless of whether or not my to-do list is finished for the day.

Reading brings me great joy. Spending time getting lost in the pages of a story is the best way to unwind and turn-off any thoughts running through your mind that can potentially keep you awake. Added bonus if you happen to insert the storyline and characters into your dreams!

Time for Bed

The evening routine for working moms I described here involves planning for the day ahead, taking time to prepare for the morning rush by preparing lunches and clothes and mentally preparing yourself for a restful night of sleep with light exercise, a good book and a hot bath.

Making the time for yourself will prevent you from feeling burned out and stressed when you’re constantly giving everything you’ve got to your job and your family.

And let’s all agree that taking time for yourself will never be time wasted.

I hope you have found the suggestions in this post helpful. Please leave a comment below if you have anything to add. I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for stopping by!