Evening Routine of Mom with Young Kids

This week I’m sharing with you the evening routine of a mom with two young kids who have special needs.

Jacqueline is a member of the This Routine Life community. She purchased Overwhelmed to Organized: Personalized Daily Routine for Busy Moms because she was really struggling with overwhelm and stress when it came to managing her time and being a mom.

She wanted her boys to have a more enjoyable home life and not one that was filled with stress. She wanted help with putting routines in place to support her transition between tasks. She felt like all she did was clean and teach all day and really wanted to make time for herself.

We started working together, and within a few weeks, she had an evening routine in place that worked for her current season of life.

Jacqueline was happy to share what her evening routine looks like, and how she stays consistent in the midst of life as a busy mom of two kids with special needs. Keep reading for inspiration and motivation to create your own evening routine that includes “me time.”

This blog post is part of a series where I’m sharing real life moms and the routines/self-care habits that improve their life. You can check out the first post in this series here.

What routine/self-care habit would you like to share with the This Routine Life community?

I want to share my evening routine that starts after my boys go to bed around 8 p.m. It’s the first quiet part of my day and has become a sacred window for me.

I start with a hot shower, then do my skincare while listening to a podcast—usually true crime, parenting kids with special needs, or a home management podcast.

After that, I load the dishwasher and do a quick pick-up around the house.

I finish by journaling and doing any coursework or homework from the self-help groups I’m part of—like my autism course, goal-setting communities, or life coaching assignments.

Once my space is reset and I’ve checked in with myself, I end the night watching a show or spending quiet time with my partner.

How many kids do you have and what are their ages?

I have two boys: a 7 year old who has ADHD, and a 3.5 year old with autism. They are both high-energy and require different kinds of support, so my days are very full. That’s part of why my evening routine matters so much—it helps me recharge and reset after long, intense days.

When and how did you start this routine/habit?

I started this habit after working with my life coach, Kristen for about three weeks. She was holding me accountable through email check-ins, and it really helped things click into place.

I began writing out my routine in my MakseLife planner, tracking my habits weekly.

Once I saw how good it felt to go to bed with things in order, it stuck.

How consistent are you with this routine/habit?

I stick to it 5-6 nights a week.

I use a checklist in my planner to stay on track, and I keep my journals and pens at my desk so they’re in sight and easy to reach.

My partner helps too—he handles bedtime for the boys. He lays with them for about 30 minutes, and once I finish my routine, we usually spend an hour together catching up or watching a show.

How is your life different because you make time for this routine/habit?

Before I had this evening routine, I was constantly overwhelmed and stressed.

I felt like I could never catch up on everything that needed to be done at home, and I always came last on my own list.

It took a serious toll on my mental health—my depression was deep, and I was just barely getting through each day.

Since building this routine, I feel so much more grounded. My depression has lifted in ways I didn’t think were possible. I feel calm, capable, and connected to my space.

I love my home now. And it’s not just me who benefits—my whole family does, because I’m present, happier, and truly living, not just surviving.

How do you treat yourself if you miss a day of your routine/habit?

I’ve learned to give myself grace. Life happens—kids get sick, I get tired, or something comes up.

I don’t shame myself anymore.

I just acknowledge it and pick it back up the next day. It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistency over time.

Why do you think you’ve been so consistent?

Because I see and feel the difference. This routine fits my real life—it’s not overwhelming, it’s doable, comforting, and something I genuinely look forward to.

Having Kristen in the beginning to help hold me accountable made all the difference. Her support helped me actually stick to it long enough for it to become a habit.

Now, writing it down in my planner and tracking it each week keeps me motivated and grounded. I’m not just checking off boxes—I’m caring for myself on purpose.

If we were to watch you go through your routine/habit, what would we see?

Around 7 p.m., I start the boys’ baths, and by 8 p.m., my partner and I read them a bedtime story together. I say goodnight, and then my partner lays with them until they fall asleep.

Around 8:15, my “me time” officially begins. I take a shower, do my skincare, and listen to a podcast—usually something true crime, parenting, or home-related.

Then I journal about my day: what I’m grateful for, my top 3 to-dos, my mood, what I ate, anything the kids did that I want to remember, and how I worked toward my goals.

After that, I load and start the dishwasher, tidy up the house, and sit at my desk to do some reading or catch up on homework from my goal-setting or autism courses.

Once I’ve wrapped up, Jason and I spend about an hour together watching a show or catching up before heading to bed.

How do you make time for this routine/habit?

I treat it like a non-negotiable.

Once the kids are asleep, I go straight into my routine instead of wasting time scrolling.

Having my checklist, planner, and journals ready helps me keep going without overthinking it.

My partner and I have worked out a rhythm where he handles bedtime so I can jump right in.

What advice do you have to give to a mom who wants to start making time for herself or wants to start a new routine, but is struggling to make it happen?

Start small, and do what actually makes you feel better—not what you think you’re supposed to be doing.

Even just one or two little things can build into a real routine over time.

Use what helps—checklists, habit trackers, whatever keeps you going.

And seriously, you don’t need permission to take care of yourself. You matter, and you’re worth the effort. I promise—when you start making yourself a priority, everything else in your day starts to feel a little easier too.

Grab checklists and trackers for free in the Quick Guide to Lessen Overwhelm + Enjoy Motherhood More. You’ll find it here!

Anything else you want to share?

Before working with Kristen, life honestly felt like I was constantly drowning.

Raising two kids with special needs is beautiful but also incredibly hard, and I had no real systems in place—I was just surviving, putting myself last, and always playing catch-up.

I felt defeated most days. But once Kristen started helping me and holding me accountable, things started to click.

Getting just one routine in place—my evening routine—changed everything. Now I’m learning to add more routines, and each one is making life feel more manageable. My home feels calmer, I feel more in control, and I’m not running on empty anymore. It’s helped my whole family, and life is finally starting to feel lighter, more joyful, and easier to handle.

If you’re interested in creating routines to lessen your overwhelm and help you enjoy motherhood more, just like Jacqueline did, check out the “Routine Mom Coaching” program by clicking the button below.