Afternoon Routine for Working Moms With Teens

Late afternoons can feel like a whirlwind for working moms (all moms if we are being honest). Having an afternoon routine for working moms with teens can really help! Trust me!

Between making dinner, helping with homework, squeezing in some exercise, and prepping for evening activities, it’s a lot to juggle. It is just plain hard to do sometimes.

Let’s talk a little bit about daily routine options and see if they might help you out.  I want to give you some manageable steps so you can conquer this time of day without losing your mind. We want to keep at least a piece of it! 

As a working mom, I have found that having a morning routine, afternoon routine, and evening routine built into my daily schedule is the best way to manage the time that I have been gifted with. I say this, because the more we practice using that routine muscle, the less we have to think about it. 

I can’t separate my dependence on God during my daily routines. He is always there and wants to help us in each and every routine, taste, and moment. I ask him to order and direct my steps, be in charge of my calendar, remind me what I need to do and what order they need to be done in, and to help me to find joy in the day-to-day normals. Why not try it? What do you have to lose?

The to-do lists are long and there doesn’t seem to be as much time in the day. Alert: Busy moms are everywhere! It doesn’t matter if you work from home, are a stay-at-home mom, or work outside of the home, life is busy and we all have daily tasks to accomplish. 

5 Routine Strategies

1. Walk In, Get Started

• Change into comfortable clothes or exercise clothes right away to set the tone for your evening.
• Start with dinner prep: Brown ground meat or toss chicken in the oven while you tackle other tasks. Tip: You can get in about 20-30 minutes of exercise while dinner is baking. 
• Unload or reload the dishwasher as things simmer or preheat. Go ahead and wash big dishes when you finish with them. Dry and put them away right then. 

2. Multitask with Purpose

• While dinner cooks, check the kids’ homework or help them get started. Have a designated place where they lay out what needs to be signed or checked. 
• Use waiting time (like while water boils) to wipe down counters or pack lunches for the next day. Avoid getting on social media during “wait times.” You’ll just waste time! Sorry, I’m here to motivate!

3. Make Time for Movement: Set Aside Time for Healthy Habits

• Fit in a quick 20–30 minute workout. Try a family walk after dinner or a pull up a quick YouTube video in the living room while supervising homework.

I recommend the Pretty Muscles App (not free) or Coach Zoe (free)! The Pretty Muscles App takes the decision fatigue out of it. She tells you what to do every day. Coach Zoe is really good too, but you may find yourself wasting time trying to decide which one you want to do and what you have time for.

Moving is good for your mental health and your physical health and can fit into whatever amount of time you have. 

4. Prep for Tomorrow

• Lay out clothes, prep backpacks, and check tomorrow’s schedule. Want tips for an evening routine? I’ve got you!
• Create a “landing zone” by the door for essentials like shoes, keys, and bags.

5. Free Time = Quality Time = Even if There Isn’t Free Time (basically, make each moment count)

• Set aside 10 minutes for meaningful conversations.
• Enjoy dinner together without distractions if possible. Like, no phones or TV! It is so hard. The first thing everyone wants to do is take out their phone as soon as there is a lull in the conversation. Guilty! 

Your after-work routine doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Just keep practicing these time management skills and by the end of the day your going to feel better! Also, completely worn out. 

Let’s Expand on These Ideas To Help You to Create a Solid Afternoon Routine

1. Walk in and Get Started (First 5-10 Minutes). Try to get a three step action plan in your brain before walking in the door. What makes since logically with the layout of your home? Drop your bag by the door, rinse out dirty dishes, and change!? 
• What to do: Breathe and set the tone for the rest of the evening. While you are changing, grab your dirty clothes and throw them in the wash on your way to the kitchen. Light a candle or start your diffuser and think about what you can do to make dinner meal prep easier. 

2. Multitask with Purpose (Next 30-45 Minutes)
• What to do: Tackle simple tasks that can be done while you start dinner or help with homework. Set a timer for each task to stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked. It sounds dumb, but you are working on building a routine and making it a habit. You want this to eventually be mindless. 
• Examples: Set the table, unload the dishwasher, fold laundry, or check in on schoolwork. Don’t forget to involve your teen if they’re available! They are lifesavers! You are a team and all family members find value in contributing. 

3. Make Time for Movement (Next 15-20 Minutes) and Finish Dinner
• What to do: Get your body moving to release stress and boost your energy. This could be a short walk, quick stretch, or even a 10-minute workout. You have had a long day and a quick workout should be part of your routine checklists.

It is one of those important things that seems to be the hardest thing to fit in. Turn on some music and run around with your little ones for 10 minutes. 

4. Prep for Tomorrow (Next 20-30 Minutes)
• What to do: Set yourself and your family up for a smooth morning. Lay out clothes, pack lunches, and organize backpacks. Again, even your young children can help with these tasks. It gives them a sense of pride and belonging when they see how much they can help and how valuable they are in this way. 

This helps eliminate stress in the morning. You can even fill up water bottles and put them in the fridge. What can be done today that will make the following day run smoother.

The morning minutes just seem to go by more quickly so take advantage of the afternoon and evening ones. Switch the last load of laundry for the night and mentally think about what your morning schedule will look like. 

5. Quiet Time (Last 15-20 Minutes): Your Afternoon Routine Turns Into a Solid Evening Routine 
• What to do:  Spend time talking with your teen, ask about their day, or enjoy a quiet moment together. Roll in and don’t roll out.

It doesn’t take a lot of time to create quality time. Don’t look at your phone, look at them. On that note, just keep your phone off after that so you can create a healthy strategy to help you get a great nights sleep. Pick up a good book, finish up a few more tasks, and think about what you want done before the start of the day tomorrow. 

Afternoon Routine Breakdown for Working Moms of Teens

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM: Walk In and Get Started

• As soon as you walk in the door, set the tone for your evening by getting into comfy clothes—maybe throw on that sports bra, knowing you’ll get some movement in shortly.

• Take a moment to breathe and switch gears from work mode to home mode, and check in with the family. If your teens are home, see if they need anything or just give them a quick hello!

3:45 PM – 4:15 PM: Multitask with Purpose

• Put down your bag and immediately tackle small tasks around the house. Wash your lunch dishes or load them in the dishwasher, or quickly tidy up.

• Check in on your teen(s): If they’re home, ask how their day went or if they need help with anything. If they’re off at practice, use this time to prep for the evening.

• Prep for dinner: Start by browning meat, chopping vegetables, or making a quick meal plan. Small steps like these will save time later on when it’s time to get dinner on the table. If you want to let your brain take a break, I can do the meal planning for you. I’ll send you the recipes and links every Sunday! 

4:15 PM – 4:45 PM: Movement Time in Your Afternoon Routine

• If dinner requires baking, pop the dish in the oven and set the timer. Use this time to get in your movement—whether it’s a short workout, a quick walk, or stretching.

• Timer hack: Set your oven timer for cooking and also set your phone timer for your exercise. That way, you’re getting movement in without worrying about overcooking dinner. If you need to, delegate the task of taking the food out of the oven to someone else in the house!

4:45 PM – 5:00 PM: Last-Minute Prep & Family Time

• If you’re heading out to a game or picking your teen up from practice, make sure dinner is prepped and ready to go. Brown the meat, chop veggies, or assemble parts of the meal for quick assembly when you return.

• If you’re staying home, sweet! Is there a list of things that you have been wanting to do? Do one of those things if you have a night at home. 

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Dinner & Family Connection

• Whether you’re sitting down to a family dinner or just grabbing something quick before the next activity, make sure you’re connecting with your family. No phones or distractions—this time is for conversation and bonding. Family bonding time! 

• Ask about each other’s day, share a laugh, or just be together. A few minutes of intentional connection can really set the tone for the rest of the evening. I know, it sounds cheesy, and it is! But that’s what we do. Laugh at yourself and don’t be afraid to be cheesy. It’s okay. 

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Evening Activities

• If you went to a game or other evening activity, use this time to relax and unwind. If you’re staying home, consider reading, sewing, or working on a hobby you enjoy. Do you have some sort of creative outlet that you want to try? 

• This is a great time for self-care or quality family moments if you can squeeze them in.

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Pre-Bed Routine

• If you’ve had a busy evening, spend some time preparing for tomorrow: pack lunches, lay out clothes, or start the dishwasher.

• Wrap it up: Focus on setting yourself up for a smooth morning. Consider finishing laundry, picking up the house, and getting ready for bed. Set the timer for 10 minutes. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish during that short amount of time. 

• No screens: Set a time to stop screen time. Whether it’s reading or just relaxing, the goal is to unwind and prepare for a restful night of sleep.

Final Pep Talk to Get Your Afternoon Routine Started

I really hope that this gives you a picture of what your afternoon routine could look like. We all have different schedules so please feel free to adjust this as needed. Once you start practicing putting simple steps in place, I think you will like it. And, if not, go back to how it was. It doesn’t hurt to give it a try though. 

Life happens, so give your self grace and time. It takes some (a lot of) practicing. And boy do we moms have lots of time to practice! It’s like game day every day. 

With love,

Anna Sue