It’s a relentless struggle – trying to squeeze more hours out of the day as a busy mom. Our to-do lists seem never-ending, constantly multitasking is exhausting, and finding personal time feels nearly impossible. The laundry piles up, the kids have activities in different directions, and just keeping some semblance of order feels like a monumental feat.
But having better time management skills can help transform your days from frenzied and fatigued to feeling a little more in control. Here are some of the best tips and strategies for busy moms to find more hours in the day.
Get Organized with a Planner
The simple act of writing things down in an organized planner or calendar can make a huge difference in time management. Schedule specific blocks for essential tasks like taking kids to school, running errands, prep and meal times.
Also be sure to intentionally schedule blocks for yourself too – like quiet morning time, reading before bed, date nights, etc. Seeing it all mapped out prevents overbooking your days and gives you the ability to plan ahead.
Take Advantage of Small Pockets of Time
Look for small windows of time in your daily routines that can be used productively. Listen to audiobooks or podcasts during your commute for a “mental break” from mom mode.
When your kids are happily entertained with an activity, grab 10 minutes to pay bills or fold laundry. Use a wait-at-the-doctor’s-office time to answer emails. Those minutes add up over the week and prevent extra weekend work catch-up sessions.
Automate and Outsource
My motto is if someone else can do it reasonably well and more efficiently – then delegate it! Look into grocery delivery services to cut weekly shopping time. Meal delivery kits that provide prepped ingredients and recipes are lifesavers for streamlining dinner prep.
And even just having a cleaning service come every other week cuts hours off keeping things tidy. Outsource whatever household tasks possible (and fits your budget) to maximize your energy and time for what matters most.
Wake Up 30-60 Minutes Earlier
I know this may not be very appealing, but getting up earlier really is transformative for peace of mind. Use that early morning quiet time before the kids/family is up to workout, meditate, catch up on news, start a load of laundry – whatever feels nourishing. Personally, having this calm window helps set my mindset for feeling more balanced and focused for the busier hours ahead with my kids.
Involve Kids in Chores
As soon as reasonably possible based on age and capability get kids involved in household chores and responsibilities. Start by giving them simple tasks like organizing their toys/room, helping set dinner tables, sorting clean pairs of socks, etc. This fosters independence and takes daily tasks off your long to-do list.
Finding more hours in the day is essential for self-care as a busy mom. While it can seem impossible amidst balancing it all, with some organization, efficiency wins, and determination to prioritize yourself – you can free up small pockets of time that make a big difference.
Stop operating in constant survival mode and implement little time savers and structure to get ahead. Your mental and physical health depends on it!