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, which is why a weekend routine for busy moms can make such a difference.
Let’s look at some things you can incorporate into your routine that will help you feel in better control of your life.
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Weekend Routine for Busy Moms
1. Prep Meals
Having a schedule and planning beforehand can help you prepare for the week and set you for success. Creating a weekend routine for busy moms that includes meal prepping makes the rest of the week much easier.
Although setting aside time on the weekend to prep meals can be challenging, it pays off by simplifying your busy week. Meal prepping also helps you make healthier food choices for the whole family. Personally, I enjoy making fruit and veggie shots to drink each day.
Prep Ingredients
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.
Search Websites for Recipes
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.
Who wants go-to recipe websites that make life easier? These sites are packed with family-friendly meals and healthy ideas to help busy moms get dinner on the table.
April, a fitness nutritionist and food lover, created What’s for Meal Prep to help busy people escape the nightly ‘what’s for dinner?’ struggle. Her site is full of make-ahead meal ideas that keep your week stress-free and your eating habits healthy.
If you are looking for mix of healthy eats and mom-life vibes then this is the website for you. Kristina, a mom of two, shares many recipes that fuel busy families without overcomplicating things. She also shares fitness and nutrition tips.
This website isn’t just about workouts; Gina shares everyday wellness tips and family-friendly meals that fit into real life. She also opens up about her struggle with an autoimmune disease and how she took back control of her health.
Corey Valley created this website to help families short on time with quick and easy recipes that kids and adults both love. She also adds fun ideas to get everyone excited about dinner.
Created by Jill Blashack, this site features quick, tasty recipes built on pantry staples, perfect for nights when you want dinner on the table fast. I also love that the company has donated $7 million to different causes.
Skinny Taste
Skinny Taste, created by Gina Homolka, a mom of two, is perfect for people with multiple dietary needs. She offers recipes that are gluten-free, low-sodium, keto, low-carb, high-protein, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and paleo. The site is comprehensive and makes it easy to find what you need.
Search Ideas on Instagram
If you’re looking for quick inspiration on Instagram, these three accounts make meal prep feel doable and even fun. They share ideas that work for busy moms who want healthy, stress-free meals on the table.
This account is all about making family meal prep simple and fun. The recipes are creative, and the best part is that kids are more likely to enjoy them too.
If you’re new to meal prepping or just want stress-free dinner ideas, this page breaks it down with step-by-step videos and easy tips.
This account shares colorful, trendy meal prep ideas with lots of variety, from healthy bowls to quick grab-and-go lunches.
Look into Meal Prep Services
Another part of a weekend routine for busy moms can be exploring meal subscription services that simplify cooking during the week. Some meal subscription services 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
2. 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.
3. 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. It also helps you to navigate how to study with your child in a more organized way.
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.
4. Set exercise schedule.
While it can be challenging, finding time to exercise is a vital form of self-care for busy moms.
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.
Including exercise in a weekend routine for busy moms helps maintain consistency and reduces stress. 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.
Try Barre: Pricey but Amazing!
I’m a big fan of barre (if you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it, you might love it too!). Barre is a low-impact, full body workout that is fun and upbeat. I attended a Pure Barre studio in my neighborhood for two years, enjoying classes that blend barre, Pilates, and yoga.
Since the schedule changed weekly, I always reviewed the class offerings ahead of time and booked based on my availability. I also try to purchase passes for other studios where I enjoy sound healing and yoga, and I try to plan those sessions in advance as well.
5. 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.
6. 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 going to a fun place.
Weekends often involve laundry, cleaning, and prepping for the upcoming week, so I try to use my time wisely. A weekend routine for busy moms can blend family time with necessary tasks so the week starts smoothly. 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 mom.
7. 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?
- What is your take on goal-setting as a busy mom?
Maybe at this moment in your life, you cannot think of any additional goals you want to add to your plate 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 life easier and support your mental health. With your already busy schedule, try to be realistic when adding new tasks, and remember that a weekend routine for busy moms can help you stay balanced and prepared for the week ahead.
Best wishes,
Mel
