The frustration, overwhelm, and anxiety is taking over. You didn’t realize that when the schools closed and you began working from home and caring for your kids full-time that it would be like this. You feel like you’re drowning, to say the least, and you’re ready for life to get back to normal.

>>Want to skip the text? Click here to download The Ultimate Thrive At Home Guide for Moms for Quarantine and Beyond<<

But, life may not return to normal for a very long time. And, when it does, it more than likely will not be what it used to. This new way of living isn’t permanent, but I think it’s safe to say that it is a glimpse of what our new normal will be, and that probably means staying at home as much as possible.

It’s easy to assume that doing everything from home “must be easier” because you’re at home, but it’s fair to say that, after a month of quarantine, it’s much harder than most people expected it to be.

Okay, so while this is harder than you expected and has been quite the adjustment, it does not have to defeat you. In fact, I’m here to tell you that it shouldn’t defeat you.

You CAN thrive at home during this time. Being at home with your kids full time (and working) does not have to be and should not be total chaos. You should (and will once you download my free guide for you) be able to have days that flow smoothly and are in your control. You should not be running on empty or spinning on a hamster wheel. You should still be prioritizing yourself, your needs, and your dreams. You should have the energy to be fully present with your kids AND the ability to go do the things you need to do without any guilt or chaos irrupting as a result.

This is all 100% possible and should be how motherhood feels for you. (At least, that’s what I believe. Do you believe it, too?)

Repeat after me: COVID will not steal my motherhood joy. COVID will not defeat me. I will not only come out stronger than ever, but I will use this time to build a foundation in my home that will allow me to thrive both in and out of motherhood.

Alright, did you do that? Good.

Now, let’s actually get you off the hamster wheel, mmkay?

You have more than likely been bombarded with blog and social media posts with sample routines to follow while at home, homeschool and learning resources for your kids, and a ton of activities to try. And sometimes, too much information is more overwhelming than it is helpful.

You’ve probably saved a lot of the information and are still spinning in circles trying to make sense of it all and figure out how to actually make it work for you and your home.

I’ll give you a few hints -

1. What works for everyone else won’t necessarily work for you.

You have a different family dynamic with different needs. You can use inspiration from other routines, etc., but take that inspiration and create what will work that’s specific to your family.

2. Your rhythms and routines need to be planned in a way that incorporates everyone.

Each person in your family has a flow to their day, and when you create routines that actually work, it allows everyone and everything to flow together. Start by thinking about your kid’s routine first. Begin with wakeup and nap times, and then mealtimes. Incorporate activities based on age, attention span, and energy levels. Most younger kids do better with free play right after meals because they have been fed. Structured activities are best after your kids have been up for a while and are starting to get whiny. Having a mix of structured and unstructured time works well to foster independence and creativity.

3. Creating your routine is the first step.

Planning and execution or just as, if not more important than the routine itself. Think of this as a classroom and your kids are your students. (Regardless of whether or not you are home educating.) If a teacher has a great lesson planned but none of the materials, the lesson won’t be executed effectively. The teacher will have to spend time getting things together while her students are waiting, which of course leads to classroom chaos, lost attention, and lack of time. The same thing happens at home. When you scramble in the moment trying to figure out what to do with your kids or how to keep them occupied and you have no idea how to manage your day, you’re opening up an opportunity for chaos to ensue.

The point? Planning and preparation is key. Instead of just hoarding a list of activities and trying to choose one in the moment of chaos, plan out your kid’s activities for the entire week. Get all necessary materials and put them in a convenient location so that you can grab them quickly. Prepare yourself to remain in control of your home and your kids at all times. The same goes for your meals, snacks, and any academic activities your children will do every day. Plan, plan, plan!

Alright, now that you’ve have some guidelines to follow, your next step is to download this freebie. I created the Thrive at Home Guide for Moms for Quarantine and Beyond to give you all of the tools you need effectively plan for every moment of your day at home.

With this guide, you will be able to plan your children’s activities and overall routine, your meals, your priorities for work and WHEN you will do WHAT depending on your kid’s routine, your daily and weekly self-care, your morning and evening routine, and more. Everything you need to plan and manage your life and take control of your time, especially while quarantined, is in this guide, and it’s yours FREE.

One last thing before I go - keep it simple. You don’t have to plan activities that are extravagant or extra complicated (unless that’s your thing.) You just need to have a plan, a simple rotation between sensory, learning, and free play, and have your materials ready so you aren’t scrambling.

Don’t forget to grab your guide here! You’ve got this, mama.