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Having a daily schedule can really simplify your life and help you organize your home. As a mother of two, I often find myself thinking, "What should I be doing right now?" Having a set schedule of things that I know must get done that day can point me in a productive direction. Also, my kids thrive on routines and I find that a lot depends on having those routines in place. They go to bed earlier, spend less time watching TV, eat healthier foods, and have more play and learning time when I stick to the schedule.

To make your own schedule, first, decide what time you will be waking up and what time you will be going to sleep. You can split the schedule into two parts, a morning schedule and a bedtime schedule. Next, make a list of times (I split mine into half-hour increments, starting at 8:00 a.m.) Then, make a list of all of the most important things you need done in the morning and evening. These are things that have to be done, no matter what, ex. bathing or showering, brushing teeth and getting dressed, eating breakfast lunch and dinner, etc.

I find it easiest to make sure that things are clean and tidy, start the dishwasher, sweep the kitchen floor, and fold and put away some laundry, in the evening before bed time. I include those and other things in my bedtime schedule. However, showering, getting ready, eating breakfast, and unloading the dishwasher, come in the morning. I plan to clean up after each meal, loading the dishwasher with the dishes and wiping off the counters and table. My bedtime routine starts right after dinner and generally lasts until it is time to start the kids' bedtime routine. I always try to start their routine about 30 to 45 minutes before I'd like them to be asleep because there always seems to be something that keeps them up. My daughter usually wants 75 drinks and my son tends to start bouncing off the walls! I pick up toys and other messes after they are made throughout the day and that eliminates a lot of larger chores like cleaning the family room or the kids' bedrooms.

Once you have placed each of your most important basic tasks in a time slot you can decide whether you would like to add to the list, or call it a day. I have a few hours' time between my morning and bedtime routine for free time for me and free play time for the kids. During this time, which is usually during my son's nap time, I check my email, make plans for educating my children, having a family night, checking my calendar, etc. I also give myself some free time in the evening after the kids are in bed to do something for myself like read a book or take a bath or spend some time with my husband.

After using your schedule for about a week or two you will notice that you are becoming more efficient and things are getting done faster than you had planned. At that point, you might want to think about adding some things like deep cleaning chores once a week or projects you have been meaning to get done but haven't found time for. Here is an example of a basic schedule my husband and I came up with for our family:

Morning Routine:

8:00 a.m. Personal prayer and scripture reading/make beds
8:30 a.m. Make and eat breakfast and clean up the breakfast mess/start laundry
9:00 a.m. Shower/bathe the kids (clean any obvious messes in bathrooms, swish the toilet with a toilet brush)
9:30 a.m. Get ready for the day
10:00 a.m. Get ready for the day
10:30 a.m. Get ready for the day
11:00 a.m. Get ready for the day/do laundry
11:30 a.m. Preschool at home
12:00 p.m. Preschool at home
12:30 p.m. Make and eat lunch and clean up the mess
1:00 p.m. Practice piano/do laundry
1:30 p.m. Nap time, clean up any messes made up to this point
2:00 p.m. clean up any messes made/ free time
2:30 p.m. free time
3:00 p.m. free time
3:30 p.m. run errands/pay bills
4:00 p.m. run errands
4:30 p.m. Make dinner
5:00 p.m. Eat dinner
5:30 p.m. Eat dinner

Evening Routine:

6:00 p.m. Clean up dinner mess, start the dishwasher, sweep the kitchen floor
6:30 p.m. Clean up kitchen
7:00 p.m. planning time
7:30 p.m. free play time for kids/planning time
8:00 p.m. walk through the house, cleaning up any messes we see/do laundry
8:30 p.m. begin the kids bedtime routine
9:00 p.m. kids in bed/mom and dad read scriptures and pray
9:30 p.m. mom and dad free time
10:00 p.m. mom and dad go to sleep, finally!

This list could be added to or described in more detail or even simplified. It has really made things easier for me and more predictable for my kids. I hope it helps you out too. Happy Planning!