Being a working mom is a balancing act that requires careful planning, flexibility, and a whole lot of patience. Between work responsibilities, family commitments, and personal time, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. However, with the right strategies, you can maximize your time and create a fulfilling work-life balance. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your busy schedule.
1. Prioritize and Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to stay on top of everything is to plan your days and weeks in advance. Use a planner or a digital calendar to schedule work tasks, school activities, and family events. Prioritize your to-do list by identifying urgent and important tasks first, so you can focus on what truly matters. I use my Outlook calendar at work every day as my personal and professional calendar. Everything is in one place. It is color coded to organize what is personal, what is professional, and anything else in between. We also have a Skylight calendar on our kitchen counter. For the most part, the home screen is a rolling slide show of pictures we uploaded over the years, but the calendar has it’s own email address that my husband and I send invites to from our professional calendars so that everyone is always in the loop.
Pro Tip:
Plan your meals and outfits the night before or even for the entire week. This small step can save you time and reduce morning stress.
2. Set Boundaries Between Work and Family Time
It’s easy to let work spill into personal time, especially if you work remotely. Establish clear boundaries by setting specific work hours and sticking to them. When you’re off the clock, be fully present with your family—put away your phone, turn off notifications, and engage in quality time together. Sometimes certain circumstances can throw work time or personal time off balance, but that is what I enjoy about the career I chose. No matter what, family is my priority, and I have the dictation of how I balance my time.
Pro Tip:
Create a designated workspace at home to mentally separate work from family life.
3. Delegate and Share Responsibilities
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Share household responsibilities with your partner, children, or other family members. My husband and I split duties on everything. He takes the kids to school two days a week (making him late to work) and I take the kids to school two days a week (making me late to work). Then we alternate the 5th day. We both pick up our kids together everyday from their grandparents” houses. This way one person doesn’t have to carry the entire load while the other person shows up at work perfectly while the other lags. Our kids also enjoy our split duties because they get excited for whoever is taking them that day. Before school, one of us gets the kids up and ready and the other makes a healthy breakfast. I understand everyone doesn’t have this luxury, but with normal hour jobs, this works great for us. If your kids are old enough, assign them age-appropriate chores to lighten your load. If possible, outsource tasks like grocery shopping (hello, delivery apps!) or hire a cleaning service occasionally. We have a King Soopers Grocery Store in our area, and it is absolutely worth the $9.95 for me to order my groceries and have them delivered to my doorstep within hours. There are truly not enough hours in the day, so recognize what your time is worth, and if it is worth more than $10 an hour, you absolutely should outsource things like Instacart or other grocery shopping services.
Pro Tip:
Give up perfection—done is better than perfect! Trust that others can handle tasks even if they do them differently than you would.
4. Wake Up a Little Earlier
Waking up 30–60 minutes before your kids do can give you quiet time to prepare for the day. Use this time to enjoy your coffee, exercise, meditate, or work on a personal project. A little “me time” in the morning can make a huge difference in your energy and mood throughout the day. I try to workout in the morning 3-4 days a work way before my kids wake. Then after that I have quiet time to get ready and then prepare their backpacks and breakfast for the day. We get our kids clothes out the day before, so this helps with the morning routine.
Pro Tip:
If waking up earlier isn’t an option, carve out quiet time in the evening after the kids go to bed.
5. Embrace the Power of Saying No
You don’t have to say yes to every school event, work project, or social invitation. Protect your time by setting boundaries and saying no to things that don’t align with your priorities. We say yes to things important to our family, experiences, and relationships. Anything outside of that is a no for the most part.
Pro Tip:
When declining an invitation or request, be polite but firm: “I’d love to help, but I have too much on my plate right now.”
6. Take Care of Yourself
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Make self-care a priority by scheduling time for exercise, rest, and activities that bring you joy. Even 10–15 minutes of self-care a day can make a difference in your overall well-being. My version of this is keeping up on things that are a luxury, but I still love. Some examples would be getting my nails done, getting my hair done, or getting a massage. You can’t be the best mom if you aren’t your best self!
Pro Tip:
Guilt-free self-care is essential! A happy, well-rested mom is more productive and present.
7. Be Flexible and Give Yourself Grace
Life happens—sick kids, work emergencies, and unexpected changes are inevitable. Don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Learn to adapt and go with the flow. Today is a direct example. I woke up with a sick daughter and had to change around my work day so that I could be home with her. Despite her not feeling well, we had a great day. I worked out while she napped, we went on a walk, enjoyed some meals together, had some cuddle time, and did some laundry. Now I write this blog, sitting on the toilet seat cover, watching my kids play in the bath together. Had I stressed about the inconvenience of today, I would have had a miserable day. Rather, I am thankful for this day and the time I got to spend with my kiddos.
Pro Tip:
Celebrate small wins! Every day won’t be perfect, but progress is what matters most.
Final Thoughts
Maximizing your time as a working mom isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most. By planning ahead, setting boundaries, delegating, and practicing self-care, you can create a balanced and fulfilling life. Give yourself grace, embrace imperfection, and remember—you’re doing an amazing job!
What’s your best time-management tip as a working mom? Share in the comments!
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