After being a SAHM and homemaker for the past 5 years, I’ve recently had to start working again. And now I’m in the rut of figuring out managing homemaking while working.
Maybe you’ve already been working, and now want to incorporate more intentional homemaking into the mix. Or maybe you’re the opposite and have been homemaking, and now you’re back in the working scene part or full time.
No matter your situation, there are many ways to manage homemaking while working.
What is a Homemaking?
If you looked up homemaking, you’d find a definition along the lines of this:
home·mak·ing
the creation and management of a home, especially as in a pleasant place to live
I want you to notice that in the definition that it did not state that a homemaker stays home. It is the management of the home. So even if you work outside of your home, you can still consider yourself a homemaker.
For more on homemaking check out this post, Simple Homemaking for Beginners.
Be intentional
As with almost anything, being intentional about what you do and when you do it, will help you have more success in managing homemaking while working.
When you know you have somewhere to be or have to work, find little things you can do that’ll bless your future self. Maybe you’re able to wash and dry a load of laundry, and save the folding for later. Maybe you can quickly wash the dishes, prep something for supper or possibly a quick sweep or vacuum.
And while you’re being intentional about homemaking, you can also be self-disciplined.
Be Self-Disciplined
In this day and age, it’s very easy to get distracted and sucked into social media scrolling. Or maybe you’re not into social media much but are a procrastinator. So it’s time to learn when to say enough is enough, and get to work!
My favorite thing to say right now is “there ain’t no time like the present.” And I get to work on the homemaking tasks that I need to get done for the day. I don’t always want to, but I do it anyway. Otherwise time is just a wasting.
Being self-disciplined is going to help you get those homemaking tasks done, when you’re too tired and done for the day. Now everyone deserves to relax when they get off work don’t get me wrong. But maybe you get home, rest for 30 minutes to unwind from work, and then take some time to do a few tasks.
Fold that laundry, wash the dishes, or wipe down a few surfaces. Just a few little things that you’ll be happy you did later on.
To help yourself be more self-disciplined, set realistic expectations.
Set Realistic Expectations
Either you’ve already been working, or adding a job into the mix is a new thing again. No matter which situation you’re in, be real with yourself. As with all things start small and be consistent.
Adding something new into the day can be hard sometimes. Especially in the beginning. Give yourself some grace, take a deep breathe and start figuring it out!
Take the time to figure out what needs to be prioritized in your day, try setting routines and schedules, and set some small goals for yourself.
It might take some time, but if you also take the time to evaluate and adjust, you’ll find a way to manage homemaking while working work just right for you and you’re family.
Tips for Homemaking while working
Meal Plan
To some, meal planning sounds pointless and a waste of time. But in reality it is a great tool to take one more thing off your mind every day.
Instead of having to figure out every day what you have to make for supper that night, you will already have planned it all out for the week. Now, it’s a no brainer that on Wednesday this week you’ll be having meatloaf.
Another benefit to meal planning is now you’ll know what groceries you need to buy for the week because you know what meals you will be making. To learn more about meal planning, check out this post about Simple Meal Planning for Beginners.
Communicate
Communicate with your family about what you need help with and/or are expecting from them to help keep in the home in shape while you’re working.
If you’re kids are old enough, delegate age appropriate chores. Assign them some things that not only help you, but also help them start learning about keeping the home.
Tell your husband what you want him to help with whether it’s an all the time thing, or something smaller here and there from time to time. Some husbands are naturally more hands on and that’s great! For the ones who aren’t, give them a little encouragement to help them get going.
Declutter Regularly
More things inside the home mean more chances to have a mess on your hands. Now you don’t have to go as far as minimalism, but getting rid of some things when you find yourself with an excess, can definitely help when it comes to cleaning up everyday.
Lessen toys, or maybe try to implement a toy rotation where some are packed away for a time period, then rotated out to keep things interesting as well as creating less of a toy mess everyday.
Go through papers, sort and file. Rid yourself of the infamous “junk drawer”. Organize and create systems. Anything that might make it a little bit easier to clean up each day.
Create Routine and Schedules
Something I have enjoyed using in my homemaking since returning to work, is having a cleaning routine.
Each day I have a specific room that get a little more of deeper clean than the others. I still clean other spaces, it’s just not the main focus of my day. I also still have daily tasks I complete each day that stay the same.
When you’re working, especially outside of the home, you have to choose when you’re going to complete your todo list during the day. The hours you work will also help decide this. The important thing is to do your list. It won’t be perfectly done each day, and that’s okay!
Evaluate and Adjust
Take time to try new routines, see how they work and how they don’t. Then reevaluate, adjust and keep going!
It takes time to find the right rhythm and then when you do, guess what? Sometimes things change and some routines might not work anymore.
Lean into your family rhythms and figure out what works for you.
Managing homemaking while working is possible and I know you can do it too! Take time to adjust and lean into you’re families rhythms. Happy Homemaking!
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