How to Stay Motivated as a Stay at Home Mom (Even on the Hard Days)

This post is all about how to stay motivated as a stay at home mom.

Tips To Stay Motivated As A Stay At Home Mom

Being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but let’s be real, it’s also one of the hardest jobs. Some days feel magical, filled with belly laughs and sweet moments, while other days leave you counting down the hours until bedtime. Staying motivated as a stay at home mom can be tough, especially on those harder days when you’re running on empty, with your check engine light on.

The good news? You don’t have to do it all perfectly to stay motivated. Small changes in your mindset and daily habits can help you find more drive and joy in your role. In this post, I’ll share simple yet effective ways to stay motivated as a stay at home mom, even on the toughest days. Plus, I’ve got a few tools, like printable planners and trackers, that can help you stay organized and feel more in control of your life.

How To Stay motivated As A Stay At Home Mom

Step 1: Shift Your Mindset

It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of daily life as a stay-at-home mom with little kids. This is especially true when your to-do list feels never-ending. (Which is always) But staying motivated often starts with a simple mindset shift.

Rather than aiming for perfection, choose to focus on progress instead. Not every day will run smoothly, and that’s okay. The messy moments are just as much a part of motherhood as the Instagram-Worthy ones. When things feel overwhelming, take a step back and remind yourself of the bigger picture—you’re not “just” a mom. You are in fact raising tiny humans, and that’s a pretty incredible job. Give yourself a pat on the back. (See: How To Raise a Kind Child in a Mean World.)

One helpful strategy with shifting your mindset is to reframe your daily challenges as opportunities.

Did the laundry pile up again? It’s a chance to teach your little one how to fold clothes (even if it’s not perfect…we’re not aiming for perfect). Are you exhausted after a long day? Reflect on one small win, like how you survived toddler meltdown #8 or how you made it through bedtime without skipping pages in the story – what a rock star!

Toolkit: Try keeping a gratitude journal to focus on the positives, no matter how small. Even writing down one or two things each day—like “hot coffee” or “5 quiet minutes during nap time”—can give you a fresh perspective and boost your motivation.

Step 2: Create a Simple Routine That Works for You

When you’re a stay-at-home mom, the days can blur together, which makes it harder to stay motivated. It also makes it easy to slip into “lazy” stretches where you find yourself always stressed, yet getting nothing done. Too much scrolling on social media, not enough time being productive. That’s where a flexible routine comes in! Having a simple plan for your day—not a rigid schedule—can help you feel more in control and reduce that overwhelmed feeling that many stay-at-home moms experience.

Start by building your routine around key anchor points, like morning, nap time, and bedtime. These moments give structure to your day without making you feel overly boxed in. The trick is to prioritize what matters most and let go of the rest. Some days, that might mean focusing on housework. Other days, it’s snuggling with your kids and ignoring the dishes. Both are wins!

Toolkit: Use a printable planner to map out your top 3 priorities for the day. Keep it simple—just focus on what needs to get done, and anything extra is a bonus.

Example Routines for Different Stages of Mom Life:

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No matter what stage of parenting you’re in, remember that routines are meant to support you—not stress you out. Be flexible, adjust as needed, and focus on what makes your day feel more manageable and fulfilling.

Step 3: Set Small, Achievable Goals – and track them!

When you’re a stay-at-home mom, it’s easy to feel like you’re spinning your wheels all day without actually accomplishing anything. So how do you stay motivated as a stay at home mom?

The key to staying motivated is to focus on small, achievable goals that bring a sense of progress and purpose. Knowing that you are making progress and achieving goals, will motivate you to keep pushing on each day with a productive mindset.

You can pick just 1–3 goals per day. They can be as simple as:

By setting small, manageable goals, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment which is imperative for building momentum in your daily routines. Even if you only check off one or two goals, it’s still a win!

Be sure to track your progress! Writing down your goals helps you stay on track and reminds you of everything you’ve accomplished (because let’s face it, moms do a LOT!).

Toolkit: Use a habit tracker or daily goals printable to stay organized. Seeing those little checkmarks build up over time is surprisingly motivating and can help you power through even the hardest days.

Step 4: Prioritize Guilt-Free Self-Care

It’s very common for moms to put themselves last when juggling the endless demands of motherhood. But here’s the cold hard truth: taking care of yourself isn’t selfish at all. In fact, it’s essential for being a good mom. When you prioritize self-care, you’ll feel more energized, patient, and motivated to tackle the day and provide to those you love.

A helpful trick is to rethink self-care. It doesn’t have to mean luxurious spa days (though if you can, go for it!). Sometimes, it’s about finding small moments to recharge. Think 5–10-minute pockets of time that make you feel a little more like YOU.

Easy Self-Care Ideas for Moms
Enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea in peace (lock the bathroom door if you need to!)
Take a 10-minute walk around the block
Read a few pages of a book you love
Do a quick stretch or deep breathing exercise
Listen to your favorite podcast or playlist while folding laundry
Treat yourself to a skincare routine—something simple but soothing

Always remember to give yourself permission to pause, even on busy days. No guilty feelings allowed! Remember, when you take care of yourself, you’re showing up as your best for your family, too.

Toolkit: Utilize this Daily Self Care Tracker so you don’t let the days slip away without taking care of yourself. Hang in on the fridge so you see it all day. Or keep it by your bedside, and review it every morning and night.

Step 5: Find Joy in the Little Moments

Motherhood is full of big milestones, but it’s the small, everyday moments that truly make it special. When life feels overwhelming, take a step back and look for the little sparks of joy hiding in your day. Sometimes, motivation comes from simply appreciating what’s right in front of you.

It could be the way your toddler giggles uncontrollably at the silliest things or how peaceful your baby looks while napping. Maybe it’s that rare quiet moment when you finally sit down with your favorite snack, or the satisfaction of a clean(ish) kitchen after dinner. These small moments may seem ordinary, but they’re what make the hard days worth it.

Ways to Slow Down and Notice the Little Things:
Pause for a deep breath and focus on what’s happening right now.
Take pictures of simple moments, not just big events.
Celebrate small wins, like getting through the day without losing your patience (too much!).

Finding joy doesn’t mean ignoring the hard stuff—it’s about choosing to see the good in the middle of it all. Those tiny moments of happiness can recharge you in ways you might not expect and help you push through even the toughest days.

Toolkit: Keep a gratitude journal. Write down 1–2 happy moments each day. Physically writing these things down will help you focus on the good, and end your day on a positive note. Ending your day with this positivity will also help you get a better night sleep, allowing you to start your next morning well-rested!

Step 6: Connect With Other Moms

Motherhood can feel lonely at times, especially on those long days when you’re craving adult interaction. One of the best ways to stay motivated is to find other moms who understand what you’re experiencing day to day. Sharing your experiences with someone who understands can be a huge mood booster and an important reminder that you’re not alone.

There are so many ways to connect with other moms, both in person and online. Here are some ideas:

Local Playgroups or Storytimes: Great for meeting moms in your community while your little one plays.
Mom Groups on Social Media: Join groups focused on your stage of motherhood, interests, or even your local area.
Text a Fellow Mom: Sometimes just sending a quick “This day is rough—tell me I’m not crazy!” text is all you need.
Parenting Classes or Support Groups: Perfect for building deeper connections while learning something new.

When you connect with other moms, you’ll not only find support—you’ll also discover new ideas, tips, and motivation. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together, doing the best we can. And don’t be afraid to reach out first. Chances are, the mom sitting next to you at the playground is craving connection just as much as you are!

Toolkit: Utilize your Goal Tracker/Habit Tracker printable to make sure you’re maintaining an active habit of connecting with other moms.

Step 7: Give Yourself Grace

Some days will be harder than others, and that is okay! Motherhood isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up and doing the best you can, even when things are hard. So let go of the pressure to have everything perfectly organized, clean, or under control. Good enough is enough.

There will be days when the laundry piles up, dinner is cereal, and screen time lasts a little longer than you’d like. And you know what? That’s totally fine. What matters most is the love and care you pour into your family every day. In the end, that is what your kids will remember, not how perfectly the laundry was folded, or how the sink was always clean.

Reminder: You are enough. You’re the mother that your kids need, even on the messy, chaotic days. Give yourself the same kindness and grace that you would offer a friend in your situation.

Toolkit: Use your weekly reflection printable to remind yourself of what went well each week. Write down the small victories, happy moments, or things you’re proud of—no matter how small they seem. Reflecting on these wins can help you see the bigger picture and remind you that you’re doing a great job.

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About Mom-Thoughts

Hi, I’m Heather! I’m the proud mom of one beautiful, wonderfully weird, and hilariously sassy little girl (seriously, the sass is unmatched!). After losing both of my parents before my daughter was born, I often found myself navigating motherhood without the advice and support I so desperately needed.

Add to that the constant presence of mom-shamers lurking around every corner, and it can feel nearly impossible to be appreciated for the rock star of a woman you truly are.

That’s why at Mom-Thoughts, we’re all about embracing what works best for you and your family—no judgment, no shame. We believe in real, down-to-earth parenting that prioritizes you too, Mama, because taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your little ones.

So, welcome to the club. You belong here. <3

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