Learn how to create a relaxing and effective nighttime routine for homemakers and stay at home moms.
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If you’re a homemaker or stay at home mom, you likely already know about the importance of routines and schedules.
Whether its a morning routine, or a cleaning routine, a little rhythm to your days and weeks can help you stay on track and get the things done that you want to get done.
Sometimes, the things that need to get done are to relax and unwind!
This is most of what I believe an evening routine should be for homemakers and stay at home moms, with a couple productive chores that will set you up for success the next day.
If you’re looking to set up a solid evening routine that you can follow most nights, then this post is for you!
When does a nighttime routine start?
A nighttime routine can start any time in the evening, but for this post we’ll say the nighttime routine starts right after dinner.
This evening routine for homemakers and stay at home moms does not include what you’d be doing for the kiddos in the evening. That could be a whole separate post!
This is just for you and the home, and what you need to set yourself up for success the next day AND to relax and unwind from the current day.
What’s the best nighttime routine for homemakers?
The best nighttime routine for homemakers is different for everyone but I think a good option is to break it down into TWO parts. You want a little planning and prep for the next day followed by some fun and rest.
Of course, all of the things below are just suggestions! Maybe some of them aren’t your style. I ill try and give a lot of ideas, and examples from my own nighttime routine, but pick and choose what works for you and your family/home.
If something isn’t working or isn’t serving you, switch it up! The point is to just be intentional, and set up a rhythm to your evenings that helps you to thrive.
Nighttime routines are a very important part of our days and they can really level up our homemaking and making things run smoother all around.
Part ONE: Plan & Prep for Tomorrow
The first part of your nighttime routine is to plan and prep for tomorrow. This includes getting the house back in order from the day so you have a clean slate to start with in the morning.
Next you’ll want to do whatever you need to do to plan for the next day and prep things that you’ll need to have your morning and following day run smoother. Let’s talk about it all more!
Put the Kitchen to Bed
Putting the kitchen to bed basically just means getting all the dinner dishes washed and put away, wiping down the countertops, sweeping the floors, etc.
You’ll be in the kitchen first thing in the morning making breakfast, and you’ll likely spend a good portion of the day there the next day. Have it be a clean slate! You won’t feel like you’re playing catch up the next day, and it will be so welcoming to start your new day in a clean FRESH kitchen.
Usually in the evenings our kiddos will play with my husband, play outside in the summertime, or watch a show in the winter, and I will spend 30 min getting the kitchen back in order.
This is a fun time to turn on a podcast or some music, and get to work! If you can, light a candle, replace the kitchen towel, and turn down the lights.
You can follow this same rhythm for the rest of the house, BUT I know this can be difficult. There are a lot of nights where I don’t reset the whole rest of the house, but as long as the kitchen is good, it feels like a win. Prioritize the kitchen, and if you CAN get to the rest of the house, then do it:)
Plan for Tomorrow
Take some time to plan for tomorrow. Its usually easier to plan for your day the day before rather than the morning or day of.
Check your planner to see what’s on the schedule. If you need help figuring out a weekly schedule, check out this post HERE all about planning your week as a homemaker.
Jot down a quick to-do list for the next day. See what’s on the menu for dinner tomorrow night or decide on a meal if you don’t have a meal plan yet.
Decide what time you’re going to wake up, figure out what the kids are doing tomorrow and what’s on your husband’s schedule.
Jot down a couple priorities! This is important. Make sure you know ahead of time what is most important for you to get done.
Prep for Tomorrow
Prep for tomorrow by physically doing things that will get you ahead. Get out the meat that you need for tomorrow nights dinner so it can defrost now.
Set out your clothes that you want to wear or your workout clothes if you do a workout first thing in the morning.
Put your coffee stuff out so its easy to make coffee first thing in the morning.
Part TWO: Have Fun & Rest
Enjoy a Fun Drink
Make yourself a fun drink that you can look forward to every evening! You can make it just before you sit down to plan, OR later in the evening when you’re really relaxing.
This can be as simple as a cup of tea in the cold months or an iced lemonade in the summer. Put it in your favorite mug, add a cute straw, whatever floats your boat.
The point is, your evenings should be a treat and something that feels special. Its up to you to make it that way. You worked hard all day and now you get to relax and enjoy yourself.
Take a Shower or Bath
Taking a shower or bath can help you unwind from the stresses of the day! This is one of my favorite things in my evening routine and I rarely miss it.
To make your shower or bath extra special use a bath bomb or a shower steamer. You can also use this extra time when the kiddos are in bed to really pamper yourself. Do a sugar scrub, put on some special lotion, try a longer skincare routine, etc.
You’ll feel better when you climb into bed after you’ve taken a bath or a shower, and its an easy and effective way to relax in the evenings.
IF a shower or a bath is not your thing, figure out something else that’s self care related that you think will work better for you. Something that makes you feel great, refreshed, and pampered.
Here are some ideas:
- paint your nails
- put on lotions or oils
- do a hair mask
Read a Book
Evenings are a great time to catch up on some reading. Maybe you don’t consider yourself a reader, but I am SURE there is something you’re interested in and would enjoy reading, fiction or nonfiction
Whatever you’d normally watch a youtube video on or look up articles about, try getting a book about that instead. Its been known that its helpful to turn your technology off past a certain time in the evenings so you can get to sleep easier. So maybe read your book closer to bedtime.
Have Quality Time With Your Spouse
Evenings are a great time to have some quality time with your spouse. I know this may not be relevant for all homemakers and stay at home moms, depending on your situation, but if it is, make it a part of your routine.
My husband and I love to sit on the couch and watch a show in the evenings! We usually chat for a bit too. Nothing too complicated! Its so nice to just hang out and cuddle and be with each other.
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few honorable mentions for the nighttime routine that you may want to try. I’ve tried all of these at different points in time in my evening routines. They may be something you really enjoy and want to do!
- go for a walk
- put down your bed (pull down the covers, take throw pillows off)
- turn on your diffuser
- light candles
- do a light workout
- journal
- watch a show
I hope you have a lot of ideas now for coming up with your own nighttime routine. Just try things out and tweak them until you have something you feel like really benefits you! You won’t regret it.
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