The unpredictable moments and endless responsibilities we face as single mothers can make it feel so difficult to get out of survival mode. You just keep trudging along everyday and feel like you are in this never ending cycle of household chores, school runs, bedtime stories. And if you are a single working mum then you are also trying to balance work and home life too. But it really doesn’t have to feel like an overwhelming whirlwind every day. I am here to help you Create a daily routine for single mums that will balance the chaos with the calm, provide structure, reduce stress, and get you on your way to not just surviving but thriving!

Now I am not one for a rigid morning routine, and my kids are certainly not cooperative with a rigid bedtime routine either!

If that is your families thing and you need to be ticking off every item on your to-do list to feel happy and organised, then that is fine by me!

But to me a thriving daily routine is aligned with your goals, values, and what your indiviual family needs. It’s about find the right life balance when it comes to the essential tasks and much needed self-care!

I have found that setting the tone right with a peaceful, mindful morning routine, and then winding down later on with a peaceful evening (where possible) helps me to feel more in control while still embracing the beautiful chaos inbetween that comes with being an “unhinged” mum.

All families are unique, so use the steps in this guide to create simple daily routines that work for you and helps you to find a sense of calm in the chaos so you can feel empowered and thriving every day!

Begin with good intentions: The Morning Routine

I know, I know, you are sick of everyone banging on about the 5am club, and I feel the same… BUT… I am also a member! Not through choice I may add, but becuase that is when I have to get up if I stand a chance in hell of getting out the door on time and also want to fit in a quiet minute to sip my coffee and enjoy a few moments of self-care!

It’s the little things that make a big difference! 

But if you can, getting up just 15 minutes earlier than you need to can make a big difference in how your day starts.

It doesn’t have to be at 5am- like I said, all families and people have different needs!

Plus that quiet time befor the kids wake up and the chaos of the day begins is absolute bliss!

Use this time to meditate, journal, or even just set your intentions for the day Repeating mantras like…

“I will aproach today with patience and gratitude.”

Between sips of hot coffee.

When it comes to breakfast, be sure you are nourishing yourself and not just the kids. A healthy breakfast of oats, fruit, wholegreen toast, or even a bowl of shreddies will help to focus your mind and make the morning chaos just that little bit more manageable!

Structure The Chaos: The Midday Madness

The middle of the day can feel like a chaotic shitshow of errands, work, and various other parenting tasks weather you are a full time mum, or a working mum.

I have been both and it really is no easier either way!

You have done the school run then made it to work by the skin of your teeth- or run to various appointments and whatever errands are on your plate that day. Then you manage to pick the kids up, stop at the park before finally getting home where you are greeted by a musty load of laundry that you forgot to take out the dryer this morning!

And all anyone else is worried about are what snacks are in the cupboard and whats for dinner?!

This is where I found the magic of Time-blocking! 

Time-blocking is when you carve out designated slots for each priority. For example, assign specific hours for chores, work deadlines, school clubs, and even playtime with the kids- I will elaborate more on this below!

But this way, you and everyone else in your house knows what is happening and when, and it also helps to delegate some of the tasks- remember you do not have to do everything yourself.

Yes you are a single mum, but your kids live in the house too and it doesnt make you a bad mum if you get them to help with age appropriate tasks like laying the table, doing their own washing, and even helping to cook dinner!

Whilst your at it though Don’t forget to schedule “joy breaks”—short little moments to recharge and recouperate during your hectic day.

I know, you are wondering how the hell you have time for Joy when there is so much shit to do and so little time, but we are not here to survive remember, we are here to thrive, and taking a few minutes for yourself regularly throughout your day can be a big help when it comes to romanticizing and thriving in life- not just trudging through it!

I know you are short on time, that is a given being a single mum, but it could be

• a 10-minute walk
• listening to a favorite Podcast
• Or even doing a quick stretch session or workout

I have found that embracing these small pockets of joy on a daily basis make a huge difference in my mood and energy levels- and I bet it will for you too!

Expect The Unexpected: Embrace Flexibility Like Boss

Shit happens! There is no way of getting around it unfortunately. Sometimes things just dont go to plan and we need to move things around.

And that is ok. 

Just make sure that you prepare for inevitable curveballs that life as a single mother loves to throw at us, by having backup activities ready.

Things like…

• a simple art project or a movie for the kids during unexpected delays.
• A completely free block of of time in your calendar so you can shift things around.
• Or an emergancy babysitter for when you need one.

Sometimes things just don’t go as planned, so when this happenes- and it will- remind yourself that perfection isn’t the goal (I spoke about this in my Ultimate guide to thriving as a single mum).

Try saying a mantra like

“Progress, not perfection”  

I’m all about the affirmations! This can help you release guilt and stress when shit hits the fan and help you to refocus on what’s really important.

Easy Evenings: End Your Day With Calm

To me, weekday evenings are made for winding down, reflecting on your day and preparing for the next day. Make sure that you have everything ready for the morning- Lunch for the kids, your own lunch, bags packed,and clothes laid out- that way you can relax knowing there is less to do when you wake up!

Next, create a soothing and calming ritual that helps you really lean into relaxation. I find a little bit Manifestation and Gratitude journaling is a powerful practice that helps me to wind down and also feel positive about the next day rather than dread it;

Just jotting down three things you’re thankful for, no matter how small, and three personal goals for the next day or two really helps.

So end the day by reflecting on your small wins and the little ways you have found joy—even getting through the day with your sanity in tact counts as a victory!

Adjust Yourself: Don’t Abandon Yourself

A Thriving Single Mum Routine really doesn’t need to be set in stone. Life changes, and your routine needs to regularly adapt to fit the needs of your family.

My current routine would not have worked 5 years ago when my kids were much younger. Just as the routines I had in place when the kids were babies will not work now they are teens.

So make sure you Schedule regular check-ins with yourself to see what’s working and what’s really not.

It’s okay if some days don’t go as planned; That’s life, what matters is how you frame your thinking about it and what you do about it.

Don’t just carry on until you burn out, adjust and move forward!

How To Create A Daily Routine To Thrive As A Single Mum

Now, here is where we get started on Creating a routine that works well for both you and your family.

First, you need to begin by discovering your priorities and responsibilities- You probably know what these are, and they will be different for everyone.

But I suggest starting with a “brain dump” of ALL your daily tasks. Write down absolutely everything you do in a day—from work tasks and school runs to self-care activities and the laundry.

Once you have your list- and I can imagine its long… group similar tasks together and assign them to specific parts of the day so you know roughly when these need to be done. 

This is where time-blocking comes in. So, For instance:

• Morning block: Breakfast, school drop-offs, quick self-care routine, meditation, shower, get dressed, get the kids dressed.
• Midday block: Work (depending on your job, you can add all the tasks you do at work), grocery shop, appointments, and joy breaks.
• Afternoon block: Pick-ups, homework help, playtime, laundry, household tasks, exercise.
• Evening block: Dinner, family time, kids bedtime routines, Journaling, prepare for tomorrow, My bedtime routine.

Now that you have your tasks blocked into the basic day blocks, you can begin getting more specific. I tend to begin by putting in the things that are essential to do at specific times, such as school runs and work – these can not be changed for obvious reasons.

Then, add in everything else around it, making sure that self-care and joyful activities are a priority.

Also, make sure that you are adding in things that align with your goals, too- so get that exercise block in if you are working on your health. Or set a money date up for a friday evening if your goal is a financial one.

Do Be realistic about how much you can actually achieve in a day and leave room for flexibility. There is no point in adding in an hour of exercise at 8pm after the kids go to bed when you know full well that you will be too knackered and not likely to show up for yourself.

Prioritize the most important tasks and let go of non-essentials (and no, self care tasks are not a non-essential).

By balancing the structure with flexibility, you can begin to create an amazing routine that helps you to embrace the chaos whilestill savoring moments of calm and joy.

A thriving Single Mum routine isn’t about doing everything absolutely perfectly—it’s about creating a balanced and Abundant life that feels manageable, joyful, and uniquely yours!