“A Rule of Life is a traditional Christian tool for ordering one’s vocation. Found most often in religious community life, a Rule can also be used by laypeople – whose state in life is no less a calling from God. It consists primarily in the examination of one’s vocation and the duties it entails, and the development of a schedule for fulfilling these responsibilities in a consistent and orderly way. A Rule is an organization of everything that has to do with your vocation, based on a hierarchy of the priorities that define the vocation and done with the intent to please God.”
– Holly Pierlot, ‘A Mother’s Rule of Life’
Since my childhood, I have always flourished when I am faithful to a routine. Now as a wife and mother, I have found that it is especially important to have a solid routine, a daily rhythm. I remember googling “daily routine with a newborn” when Peter was first born and feeling frustrated when I couldn’t find something that fit my life. I knew in my heart that I had duties – to God, to myself, to Mike, and to Peter – that could not be ignored nor neglected. Shortly after this time the book, ‘A Mother’s Rule of Life‘ was introduced to me. This book completely transformed our family’s life.
In ‘A Mother’s Rule of Life‘, the author was overwhelmed with the state her family was in and the volume of her daily tasks. After reflecting on Saint Mother Teresa’s Rule for her order, the Missionaries of Charity, the author decided to create her own rule of life for her family. She reflected upon the duties of her vocation and decided to create a routine for her family based on the “Five P’s”: prayer (God), person (herself), partner (spouse), parent, and provider. Very quickly she and her family flourished – there were times designated for every aspect of her life. Instead of being overwhelmed, peace abounded.
No matter what vocation you are living, a daily routine, a rhythm for your day, is essential. Creating a Rule of Life brings order, which in turn brings freedom, peace, and balance. Instead of thinking about your to-do lists or being thrown into your day with no roadmap, you know each task has a designated time and you are able to live fully and freely in the present moment. The spiritual benefits are incredible. By following your Rule of Life, you are doing what you ought, that is, you are striving towards fulfilling your duties towards God, yourself, and others.
I’ve included our weekly rhythm as a guide. I pray that it helps you to establish your own Rule of Life. This weekly routine isn’t our entire Rule, but it is a good place to start. If you have any suggestions please let us know! We are always looking for ways to improve our Rule!
A few tips that I have found helpful:
- Reflect on your vocation. “A Rule is an organization of everything that has to do with your vocation, based on a hierarchy of the priorities that define the vocation and done with the intent to please God.” A Rule of Life is not just a schedule, it is a response to God, it is a means of sanctification. Define your vocation, write down your duties, and set time aside for each of your daily tasks.
- Put your Rule up in your house where you will see it. Have an extra copy on hand and utilize and reference it when you plan your week’s schedule.
- Be flexible and leave room for spontaneity. I have changed and tweaked (and will continue to!) our routine several times, especially during the start of a new season. Peter will be two years old this May, and each month brings with it new nap times, developmental changes, and different needs. This is where your Rule can be sanctifying for your soul – offer up those moments when you desire to stick to a routine but are unable.
- Ask God to send you a Saint to help you accomplish your daily duties and tasks. Pray to your guardian angel. Say a little prayer before starting your tasks, offering all you do to Mother Mary, asking her to purify your work and rest.
- Create a binder for your year. Place a copy of your Rule in it, any goals you would like to accomplish, yearly activities, prayer and study projects, faith life for your children, virtues you are working on, contact information of spiritual directors, mass times, confession times, any liturgical traditions or practices you wish to incorporate into your family life, household chores, pantry checklists, seasonal chores, clothing needs, birthday gifts, and hobby ideas.
Weekday Rhythm
Monday – Friday
6 AM: rise | morning offering | workout | load of laundry | shower | get ready
8 AM: breakfast | clean kitchen | get Peter ready for day | make beds | prepare lunch
9 AM: morning prayers with Peter | free play | dinner meal prep
- Monday: Our Father | crafts: coloring, drawing, cutting
- Tuesday: Hail Mary | building: trains, legos, workbench, magnatiles
- Wednesday: Glory Be | outing
- Thursday: Bible Verse | alphabet: flashcards, letters, words, writing letters
- Friday: Memorare | numbers, animals, and Montessori activity
11 AM: lunch | cleanup | forward laundry
12 PM: mass | if staying in, rosary
1 PM: Peter’s nap | quiet time | rest
- Monday: read
- Tuesday: write
- Wednesday: nap
- Thursday: craft
- Friday: clean refrigerator, meal plan, letters/thank you cards
3 PM: snack | Divine Mercy | play outside (weather permitting) | read aloud | one chore
- Monday: vacuum downstairs
- Tuesday: launder bathroom rugs
- Wednesday: dust downstairs, clean windows, clean cupboards
- Thursday: launder bedding
- Friday: take stock of pantry (CLICK HERE for our pantry checklist), food, cleaning products, diapers, wipes, and toiletries
5 PM: meal prep | dinner | make Mike’s lunch | clean kitchen | fold laundry
7 PM: family play | give Mike personal time
8 PM: Peter snack, bath, night routine, prayers, bed | clean Peter’s playroom| put items in living and sitting room in rightful place | put away laundry
9 PM: spend time together
10 PM: night prayer | bed
Weekend Rhythm
Saturday
7 AM: rise | morning offering | breakfast | clean kitchen | put in load of laundry
8 AM: shower | all get ready for day
10 AM: grocery shop | put away food | cut up/chop carrots, onions, garlic, celery for week’s meals
12 PM: lunch | clean kitchen | forward load of laundry
1 PM: Peter’s nap | quiet time | rest
3 PM: snack | Divine Mercy | fold and put away laundry | vacuum upstairs | clean upstairs bathroom
5 PM: meal prep | dinner | clean kitchen
7 PM: family time
8 PM: Peter snack, bath, night routine, prayers, bed | clean Peter’s playroom| put items in living and sitting room in rightful place
9 PM: spend time together
10 PM: night prayer | bed
Sunday
7 AM: rise | morning offering | breakfast | clean kitchen
8 AM: shower | all get ready for day | prepare Peter’s diaper bag | prepare tithing
10 AM: mass
12 PM: lunch | clean kitchen
1 PM: Peter naps | quiet time | rest
3 PM: snack | Divine Mercy | paragraph from Catechism | review upcoming week | write in planner
5 PM: meal prep | dinner | make Mike’s lunch | clean kitchen
8 PM: Peter snack, bath, night routine, prayers, bed | clean Peter’s playroom| put items in living and sitting room in rightful place
9 PM: spend time together
10 PM: night prayer | bed
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– M & C
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