I used to hate Sundays. They felt like the end of freedom and the beginning of a mad week ahead… a blur of packed lunches, lost shoes, and trying to remember who needs what form signed. But somewhere along the way, I decided to take back my Sundays. Now they’re not just chaos-prep days, they’re mammy’s soft landing. A way to reset, breathe, and make the week go a little smoother (without losing my marbles by Wednesday).
So here’s what my Sunday reset looks like. Not perfect, not Instagram-fancy, but it works for me and my crew. If you’re a mammy too, this might be just the kind of structure you didn’t know you needed.
1. Laundry Blitz (With Bribes)
I pop on the kettle, throw on a playlist (anything from Taylor to trad), and tackle the laundry like it’s an Olympic sport. Toddlers get “laundry helper” stickers for putting socks in the basket. Honestly, the promise of a sticker and a custard cream increases cooperation by a surprising degree.
Mammy folds what she can, chucks the rest in “the chair,” and calls it a win.
2. Quick House Sweep (Literally)
No deep cleaning. This is a surface tidy. Mammy sets a timer for 30 minutes and does the “big three”: kitchen counters, sitting room chaos, and the bathroom sink that always looks like someone washed a sheep in it.
I’ve learned to be okay with better, not perfect.
3. Meal Planning & The Groceries List
Sunday afternoon, I scribble a quick meal plan on the back of an envelope or the fridge whiteboard. Nothing fancy — mostly dinners the kids won’t throw at the wall. Spag bol, fish fingers, the odd stew if I’m feeling saintly.
Then mammy makes her groceries list, checks the freezer like it’s a treasure chest, and figures out what I don’t need to buy (but probably will anyway).
4. Baths, Pyjamas, and Bubble Beards
Sunday night is family bath night. It’s a bit mad and someone always wees in the tub, but the ritual helps them wind down. We do hair-washing, bubble play, and “pyjamas on, no negotiations.”
Mammy throws on her fluffiest dressing gown and pretends she’s at a spa… with two goblins and a lot of splashing.
5. Mammy Time: A Cup of Tea and Five Minutes’ Peace
After the small humans are in bed (or at least pretending to be), mammy makes a cup of tea in a mug no one else is allowed to touch and sits down for five minutes. No phones, no folding, no guilt.
Sometimes I journal a bit. Sometimes I scroll until my thumb cramps. Sometimes I just stare at the wall like a war survivor. In any case, it’s mine.
Bonus: Mammy’s “Five-Minute Monday” Trick
Before bed, I set out my clothes for the morning, chuck the lunches in the fridge, and prep my bag. Takes five minutes, but it makes Monday feel at least 40% more doable.
Final Thoughts
Sunday used to be the day I panicked. Now it’s the day I gather myself. It’s not always tidy, and sometimes we end up eating beans on toast instead of the planned shepherd’s pie, but it gives me just enough structure to feel human again.
Mammy needs rhythms too. And this one’s mine.