15 Time Management Tips From Working Moms
Have you ever wondered how other working moms accomplish so much in one day? You need these time management tips from working moms for working moms!
Time management for busy moms is one of my favorite topics because it is easy to feel overwhelmed when juggling work, homeschooling, and life.
However, learning to manage your time wisely can make a massive difference in bringing you from overwhelmed to organized.
As a working mom, you know managing your time is key. One of the BEST ways to get ideas for tackling this task is to learn from others walking the same path as you.
I believe there is more than one way to do something. And that “one way” might look different to you than to me.
Getting Inspired By Working Moms
Learning how working moms accomplish so much is a great way to get inspired and creative with your time management!
So, I reached out to working moms from all walks of life and asked them to share their BEST time management tips from working moms with us.
Learning from others is a great way to get creative ideas.
Whether you’re thinking of returning to work, or you’re already a working mom, there is always something new to learn that can boost your productivity and help you get things done.
15 Time Management Tips From Working Moms
As you take a look at how these busy working moms are juggling their careers and this parenting gig, keep an eye open for any new time management tips for working moms you want to try!
Alright, let’s dig into these awesome time management tips from working moms!
Time Management Tip #1: Be Flexible
“Time Management Tip: It is great to have plans and know what your schedule is to optimize your work time. But there are times when you need to be flexible. Be prepared to go with the flow when needed.
Sometimes you get the most work done if you realize that your plans are mush and you need to reorganize your day or week quickly.” – Annette
Time Management Tip #2: Make A Schedule
“Time management is probably the most difficult part of being a working homeschool mom, especially if you work from home as I do!
The best way to manage your time well is to MAKE A SCHEDULE and stick to it. I know schedules aren’t feel-good advice, they don’t get you inspired or make you feel warm and fuzzy. But they work, and that’s what’s important here!
Figure out when you are most productive and schedule those hours for work, taking into account your other obligations. Work those hours and those hours ONLY.
If you have a big project, purposefully schedule extra time for it, don’t just let it take over your day! Keeping a schedule will help you manage your time well and have a balanced life too!” – Bronwyn. Learn more about how to find balance as a work at home mom from Bronwyn here.
This one is the most undervalued of all the time management tips from working moms. Try creating a schedule and see how much more you get done daily.
Time Management Tip #3: Be Well Rested
“With homeschooling, managing a blog, and co-running a local non-profit, I’m always doing multiple things at once!
I have a few different to-do lists, and just keep adding to them. We also have a whiteboard in the house, and the kids know how to write notes/grocery needs there.
During downtime in the evenings, I read or work on preparing for the next day, but don’t work late into the night. It’s better to be a bit behind – and well-rested – than to try and do it all at once…and the work never ends anyway. 🙂 ” – Yvie Field
Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Small Dry Erase White Board – 16
Weekly Meal Planner Dry Erase 13Navaris Weekly Planner White Board – 24
“Don’t skimp on sleep. You can’t work well if you’re exhausted. You can’t care for your family if you are exhausted. Self-Care is important.” – Deven Vasko
If you feel like you are struggling working and homeschooling on little sleep, learn 3 Powerful Ways To Cope With No Sleep At Night.
Time Management Tip #4: Keep A Journal
“Keep a 2-sided Journal. I use a Bullet Journal, so it’s completely customizable. One side is my yearly, monthly, and weekly schedule. The other side is full of brainstorming, book notes, prayer requests, business ideas, blog and podcast topics/ guests, goals, quotes, and more!
I write down everything to do the next day just before going to bed and check the schedule in the morning before everyone is up.
SeQeS Bullet Dotted Journal -A5 Dot Grid Notebook 160gsm PagesLEUCHTTURM1917 – Official Bullet Journal – Medium A5 – Hardcover Dotted Notebook (Emerald) – 240 Numbered PagesSHARPIE S-Note Creative Markers, Highlighters, Assorted Colors, Chisel Tip, 24 Count
My Bu-Ju is not beautiful, but it’s chock full of great information. I keep the journals from year to year and reference what’s gotten done, what needs to be pushed forward or re-done.” – Lisa Nehring
Time Management Tip #5: Get Kid-Free Time
“Before I go to bed each night, I map out the most important things to get done the next day. These can be from any area of my life: personal, homeschooling, or professional.
Putting them down helps me sleep better because I feel like I have a plan and don’t need to toss and turn worrying. I wake up in the morning knowing exactly where to put my energy.
I use one planning system for EVERYTHING. I’ve seen some recommendations to have a planner for homeschooling and a planner for work, but that’s always been a recipe for disaster for me.
I have a custom-made planner that has different rows labeled with things like “My Tasks,” “[Kid’s Name] Tasks,” “Chores,” “Meals.” My life happens all together, so my view of it should be, too.
My biggest time management advice is to get some uninterrupted blocks of kid-free time—even if you have to pay for them. Get childcare. It’s worth it.
I work in a creative field, and putting in 30 minutes here and 15 minutes there is fine for answering emails and taking care of administrative tasks, but if I really want to get my work done, I need time without interruption. I make enough money in two kid-free days with real focus to pay for the childcare I use with profit on top.” – Michelle Parrinello-Cason
Time Management Tip #6: Get Organized
“Meal plan or order groceries, if you can, to save time. It is a lifesaver!
Write everything down in your phone or calendar to keep track of Doctor’s appointments and events.
Declutter a few minutes a day. Do laundry in the middle of the week …catch up on weekends. This system really helps keep laundry from piling up.
Keep bags, and purses packed the night before and lay them by the door in the morning. You know it’s ready to go.” – Kim
Of all the time management tips from working moms, meal planning is the one I feel makes the biggest impact on my mental energy.
Time Management Tip #7: Learn To Say No
“Learn to say no! It’s easy to be guilted into doing all the things. The urge to be the best mom who is super involved is strong, but you have to learn how to say no.
Time management isn’t just about getting the most done but about protecting your time. Focus and dedicate the time you have to what matters most.
It’s hard at first to say no, but remember, you’re doing it so you can say YES to your priorities.” – Nadalie Bardo. Read more of her time saving tips for working moms here.
Time Management Tip #8: Get Your Priorities Straight.
“I’m a mom of 3, and I work from home. It can be quite challenging wanting to give your best in so many areas in your life.
After being all over the place trying to do it all, I found that the best time management hack is setting your priorities straight.
Once we acknowledge the things that are most important to us, it’s so much easier to say no to so many distractions we’re wasting our time on.
Also, I think teaching our kids how to be responsible human beings is very important. Which means, the school is their job. I don’t do homework with my kids – it’s their responsibility. If they don’t understand something, I’m here to explain, but not do it for them.
And the most important thing of all is self-care. What does that have to do with time management, you ask? No matter how long your to-do list is, taking some time in a day for yourself, even if it’s just 10 minutes, will make it so much easier to check things off your to-do list.” -Irena from One Point of View. Read more about how to be more productive from Irena here.
Time Management Tip #9: Create A Morning Routine
“One of the most important time management tips for moms that want to do all… the …things such as homeschool their kids, be the taxi, the nurse, the cook, and the cleaning lady, all while pursuing a career is to be sure to have a morning routine that rocks!
However, in order to have an incredible morning routine, you need to have an incredible evening routine. This routine could be as simple as having your outfit laid out for the next day, taking five minutes to unload your brain on paper so that you don’t sit in bed thinking about all the things that have to get done the next day, and clicking on a diffuser with calming essential oils as you get in bed. Getting enough sleep will make such a difference in how your morning rolls.
When you wake up the next morning, plan to spend 15 minutes either enjoying your coffee, reading, journaling or stretching. Having some me time before everyone wakes sets the stage for you to be more present for your family as the day begins. Your outfit and your to-do list are already prepped for the day as well!” -Lucia Davison. Learn how to create space for what matters here.
“For me, I found that the early morning hours are the most productive. I’m working in the morning until my daughter wakes up. The most important thing for me is to plan my days, so I’m not wasting time with less important tasks. “ – Nina | Pramis Bastelwelt
Time Management Tip #10: Stop Doing Everything For Everyone
“Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to do everything all at once. Start with one thing. Implement that one thing. Become an expert in that one thing. And keep it simple.
Homeschooling, working, moming… it’s a lot for anyone. So, make sure not to lose your joy or your children’s joy in learning by trying to do everything for everyone.
You know what is best for your family. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you are not doing enough or the best. Make your family the priority and the rest of it will work out just fine.”- Dachelle. Read more about how you can have a relaxed homeschool as a working mom here.
Time Management Tip #11: Use A Timer
“Use a visual timer to help keep your kids on track when trying to accomplish a task (getting ready for school, etc.). Time is an abstract concept that is difficult for kids to understand.
A visual timer gives them a visual representation of time, so they can stay on track when accomplishing a task. This is a strategy elementary school teachers use all the time, but it’s also super effective for parents!” – Cindy Hemming. Read how Cindy makes mornings faster and easier here.
Time Management Tip #12: Make Use Of Sunday
“Sundays are the day where I sit down and take both calendars mine and my family, and I organize the whole week. I organize food planning, school drops, playdates, my working days, etc. Then I know precisely how I’m going to be using my time.
Another tip: food prep also on Sundays. I make food in advance, and I don’t need to rush during the day. Last one: give some responsibility to daddy. My husband has 3 tasks that he does every day, one of them the lunches. They are not negotiable end they had to be done. ” – Barbara
Time Management Tip #13: Use Routines
“My top tip for any working mom is to set up morning and evening routines for yourself and for your family. By doing so, it will help you and your family know exactly what needs to get done in the mornings and evenings, which will help you stay focused and get things moving smoothly along.
For example, our family routine in the mornings is we wake up, make our beds, brush our hair and teeth, change our clothes, take our vitamins, pray together, have breakfast, and do our devotion. Everyone knows what they need to do in the mornings, which gives me extra time to do the things that I personally need to get done while the rest of the family is doing their part.
Also, take in consideration the season that you are in and make adjustments as necessary. ” – Jessica Anderson. Read more about being intentional with your time here.
Productivity Resources
What Time Management Tip Will You Try First?
As you can see, different time management strategies work for different moms. The more we learn from other moms, the more efficient we can become.
Which tip will you try first? Let me know in the comments below!
📌Don’t let this post get lost in the internet abyss – pin it to your Pinterest board now!
[socialpug_share]
Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
