Time Management for Busy Moms: Finding Time for Yourself and Your Family

Being a mom means juggling a hundred things at once. Oftentimes, you’re the planner, chauffeur, chef, nurse, referee, and even the IT department. With work, school schedules, house chores, and family commitments, your time can feel like it’s being pulled in all directions.

In the midst of all this, can you find a moment for yourself? It’s practically a miracle. In fact, according to Motherly’s 2024 State of Motherhood Report, 53% of moms under 30 get at least one hour of alone time every day compared to 39% of all moms.

However, there is good news. By planning and setting realistic expectations, you can easily create space for yourself, your family, and your career. It’s not about doing more, but about doing the right thing.

1. Determine what matters most.

Consider taking a step back before diving into planners and to-do lists. Then, ask yourself the following questions;

• In my day, what are the non-negotiables?
• Are there any tasks or commitments that drain me without adding value?
• What is most important to me and my family currently?

By defining your priorities, you can say no to time-wasters and yes to what actually serves your family’s needs and your well-being. After all, it’s okay not to devote your time to everything.

Pro tip. Make a list of your top three priorities for the week. Then, make sure they are visible. The reason? They can guide your decisions.

2. Be a pro at planning ahead.

It is not necessary to be a hardcore planner, but having a basic system can help reduce mental clutter. Even just 20 minutes on Sunday evening can set the tone for the entire week.

Specifically, your week can be broken down into manageable parts by following these steps:

• Meals: What’s for dinner each night?
• Appointments: Who needs to be where, and when?
• Work: What deadlines are coming up?
• You time: Where can you realistically carve out a break?

Whether it’s a paper planner, a digital calendar, or a shared family app like Cozi or Google Calendar, use tools that work for you. If everyone is on the same page, there will be less scrambling and more flow.

3. Time block your day.

Time blocking is a game-changer. Why? Rather than jumping between tasks, assign specific amounts of time to each. Here are some examples:

• 7:00–8:00 AM: Morning routine and school prep
• 9:00–11:00 AM: Work block
• 1:00–2:00 PM: House chores or errands
• 4:00–6:00 PM: Family time and dinner prep
• 8:30–9:00 PM: Quiet time or self-care

Remember, it’s not about rigid schedules. Instead, it’s all about structure. By having a loose framework, you can focus on one thing at a time and reduce the constant mental switching.

4. Group similar tasks together.

Despite feeling productive, multitasking often leads to burnout and mistakes. Instead, you should batch tasks by grouping similar ones together and working on them simultaneously.

Examples:

• During a designated time, handle all your emails or messages.
• Every Friday morning, pay bills and organize finances.
• Spend one focused session preparing meals or doing laundry.

As a result, distractions are minimized, and you can enter a flow state. By working more efficiently, you have more time to enjoy the things you love.

5. Delegate (yes, really).

You don’t have to do everything yourself. Doing everything alone is a one-way ticket to exhaustion. Home is no exception to delegation— it is crucial in the workplace as well.

Kids can pack their own lunches, for example. A few nights a week, partners can take care of dinner. Tasks around the house can be divided or rotated among family members. It’s not about perfection, it’s about shared responsibility.

Depending on your budget, consider outsourcing time-consuming tasks, such as grocery delivery, cleaning services, or carpooling, to save time and resources. If you can free up just one or two hours a week, you’ll notice the difference.

6. Embrace the power of “good enough.”

Perfectionism steals your time. Unless your house is spotless, your meals are gourmet, and every moment is maximized, you’re falling short of perfection.

A quick cleanup can sometimes suffice. There are times when frozen pizza comes to the rescue. And, it’s okay to leave the laundry for tomorrow if it means you can rest or play with your children today.

Overall, don’t hold yourself to unrealistic standards. You don’t need to be perfect for your family, but you should be present, rested, and kind to yourself.

7. Build in micro-moments for yourself.

You don’t need to take a solo vacation or take an hour-long bath to enjoy “me time.” You can recharge in as little as five or ten minutes of intentional self-care every day.

Here are some ideas for small but powerful breaks;

• Before the day begins, have a cup of coffee and sit in silence.
• Listening to your favorite podcast while walking around the block.
• Before going to sleep, spend five minutes journaling.
• During naptime, read a chapter of a book.

It is important to protect these small rituals, such as appointments. The numbers add up, and they matter.

8. Set boundaries and stick to them.

When it comes to time management, boundaries are one of the most powerful tools for effective time management. You use them to keep your energy, your priorities, and your peace in check.

In other words, this might mean;

• Don’t take on extra commitments that don’t align with your goals.
• Keeping screen time to a minimum, both for yourself and your children.
• If you work from home, create a cutoff time.
• After dinner, I would like some quiet time to unwind.

Be consistent and clear in communicating your boundaries. Initially, people may resist, but over time, they will adapt. As a result, you’ll be able to breathe easier.

9. Get comfortable with saying “no.”

Don’t feel obligated to attend every event or volunteer for every extracurricular activity. Remember, whenever you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else, often your own well-being.

So, be mindful of your time, as it is a limited resource. Generally, if there isn’t a clear yes, then it is probably a no.

10. Create weekly family check-ins.

When everyone is on the same page, life runs more smoothly. A weekly check-in can strengthen your family’s bond, helping to avoid miscommunications, reduce last-minute chaos, and prevent conflicts.

Take a look at the upcoming week;

• What are your upcoming activities?
• What type of support is needed?
• Is it possible to make time for fun or rest?

As a bonus, it’s a great way to teach your children about time management and communication.

Final Thoughts: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

When it comes to time management, it isn’t about controlling every second of your day — it is about being intentional with the time you do have. With children, life is unpredictable, and things won’t always go as planned. And that’s okay.

If you’re looking for ways to manage your time more effectively, it means you care deeply about both your family and yourself. That’s a great accomplishment.

Get started small. You may want to try one or two of these strategies this week. When things go sideways, be kind to yourself. Don’t forget: you are valuable, so value your time.

FAQs

Why is time management so challenging for busy moms?

Several factors contribute to mothers’ unique time management challenges;

• Constant interruptions. Often, children’s needs are unpredictable and require immediate attention, disrupting plans.
• Multiple roles. In addition to caring for their children, moms juggle many different roles, including chauffeur, chef, teacher, employee, and partner.
• Emotional labor. In addition to the physical tasks, mothers often face the mental burden of planning, organizing, and anticipating their family’s needs.
• Guilt and societal expectations. As a result, many mothers feel pressure to be “perfect” and prioritize the needs of others over their own.
• Lack of predictability. Even the most meticulously planned day can fall apart when the children’s schedules, illnesses, or unexpected events interfere.

Is it even possible to find time for myself when I have young children?

Absolutely!

Even small pockets of “me-time” are crucial for your well-being and, ultimately, benefit your family. Rather than always finding long periods of uninterrupted time, be realistic and strategic.

What are some small, manageable ways to incorporate self-care into a busy day?

You can make a difference by dividing your time into five- to fifteen-minute intervals:

• Early wake-up. Before everyone is awake, consider sipping a cup of coffee or taking 10 minutes to reflect.
• Mindful moments. While lulls in activity occur, take a deep breath, listen to a song you enjoy, or step outside to breathe in the fresh air.
• Mini-hobbies. Watch a short podcast while waiting for the kids, read a few pages of a book, or knit a few rows.
• Quick exercise. Start your day with a 10-minute stretching routine or a quick walk around the block.
• Connect briefly. Get in touch with a friend or family member quickly with a text message.
• Enjoy a treat. Without distractions, enjoy your favorite snack or beverage.

How can I better manage household chores without feeling overwhelmed?

It’s all about efficiency and delegation:

• Batch similar tasks. Allocate specific time slots for laundry, meal preparation, or cleaning.
• Involve the family. Give children age-appropriate chores. Helping with tasks like putting away toys or setting the table is something kids can do even when they are young.
• Simplify and prioritize. Let go of perfection and focus on the most critical tasks at hand. There is no point in having a spotless, yet stress-inducing house if it is not tidy.
• Utilize technology. To save time, use robot vacuums, slow cookers, and grocery delivery services.
• The 15-minute rule. Spend 15 minutes tackling one small task. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.

How can I create a more predictable daily routine for my family?

By establishing routines, you can reduce chaos and provide structure:

• Visual schedules. For younger children, use picture charts to illustrate the daily routine, including waking up, breakfast, playtime, and other activities.
• Consistent bedtimes and wake-up times. Try to maintain a similar sleep schedule even on weekends.
• Designated meal times. In addition to helping regulate hunger, regular meal times provide an opportunity for families to connect.
• “Quiet time.” Establish a designated time each day for independent play or reading. In addition to benefiting the children, you will also be able to take a break.
• Prepare the night before. Prepare clothes, lunches, and other items for the next day to streamline your morning routine.

Image Credit: Anastasia Shuraeva; Pexels