Time management is one of the most overwhelming concerns for mothers. Between taking care of your kids, completing chores, cooking dinner, spending time with your significant other, and possibly managing some form of work, it is no wonder we have any time for ourselves. I get up every day with a schedule that I have prepared in mind but I have often found myself struggling to get everything I set out to do accomplished in the period of a day.
So, knowing that I can’t be the only mom almost pulling out my hair trying to make sure I am doing my best as a mom, wife, business owner, and now teacher to my children. I have put together some of my favorite time management tips for moms to help take the stress out of managing your time so you put your focus on some of the other things you enjoy.
What is Time Management?
By definition, time management is the ability to effectively and productively manage your time. It is a vital skill to have in our lives, especially as parents.
Being able to keep track of your activities in order to arrange them within a 24 hour period is important because when time is lost, it is impossible to gain it back, therefore you should make sure you use it effectively.
Causes of Poor Time Management
As a mother, whether single or married, stay at home or working, having to juggle between caring for kids, working, cooking, chores, and self-care; managing time can feel very difficult if not impossible.
However, the lack of ability to manage time is universal and can be accomplished by first looking at where you may be lacking and changing your mindset. Those who are successful at time management are often more proactive and are better at keeping focus or more concerned about getting things done.
While, those who of us who have trouble managing time are often met with some of these obstacles:
- Procrastination
- Asentmindeness
- Disorganization
- Lack of energy
- Ineffective delegation
- Inability to focus on priorities
- Unsuccessful at starting a plan and communicate it to others
Best Time Management Tips for Moms
As a parent, there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. By the time I get up, read my daily bible verses, perform my daily chores, work on my blog, spend time with my family, it seems like the day has past me by. Then I wish I could get a few more hours before I have to lie down to do it all again.
So managing my time is essential if I wish to get the most out of my day.
There are numerous methods one can use to manage their time. Here are a few of my favorite tips that have helped me with my time management.
Make Lists
Don’t rely on your memory (especially if you have a memory like me) or how organized you are. Since time management relies heavily on your ability to plan and keep schedules, it is better to make list then to rely on your brain to remember everything and keep you organized.
You can make a list for:
- recipes for the week or month
- grocery lists
- chores for the day or week
- household items needed to restock
- activities for the kids
- monthly/weekly goals
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I like to use my Alexa to help me make a list or set reminders. This helps keep me on schedule and takes a lot of stress off of me having to remember.
Automate your schedule
For me, the biggest help is my ability to schedule ahead. Take a look at your schedule and think of ways to plan ahead.
For instance, you can use a meal planner to plan out meals for the week or schedule ahead to make sure your groceries, prescriptions, or other personal items, are delivered or picked up ahead of time.
Get Groceries Delivered
A big time saver is getting groceries delivered to your own home. Websites like Instacart can deliver on a couple of hour delivery windows.
Spend about a half hours time choosing what you need and use the supermarket shipping. Then you can spend the rest of your time doing other things like picking out your children’s outfits or daily chores.
Prepare Outfits in Advance
Preparing your children’s outfits the night before will not only save you time in the morning but it will save you the stress of being late and under pressure. Just pick out your child’s outfits, and enjoy a stress-free and worry-free morning.
When my daughter was younger, I would pick her outfits for the week and hang them in the closet.
Meal Prep on Weekends
Weekends are an effective way to get caught up on all of the weekday daily affairs. Cook foods on Sunday afternoons and get help to save them in Tupperware for the next week’s meals.
A bonus tip: You can give away additional cooked food to your friendly neighbors so that they can return the favor to you!
Make Enough for Leftovers
Another option is to cook dinner on the weekday evenings and get help to save the leftovers for the next day’s lunch. You may even repurpose them to make completely new meals for your kids.
For instance, bake rotisserie chicken in the oven right whenever you have time at home and serve it with rice for dinner. After supper, take the leftover chicken, add mayo and salt and pepper, and pack it into chicken salad sandwiches for the upcoming day’s lunch!
Stay Organized
Have you ever spent hours attempting to find that one blouse, your daughter’s ballet tights, or your lost car keys? Take the weekend off and use that extra time to get your house in order.
Organize the cupboard, drawers, hallway, living room, desk, etc. Then when you need to find something, you won’t have to spend hours on end looking for it, you will already know where it is!
Have a Routine
What is a list without a routine? Having a routine helps you to stay organized and gives you a reason to stay motivated.
Manage Your Stress
If there is one thing that can interfere with your ability to function and manage, it is stress. Make sure you keep your stress in check and under control. Try one of these activities.
Take Time For Yourself
No matter how much time a mom spends managing the household and caring for her family, it is always important to remember to make time for yourself. If you are tired, hungry, or irritable, you will not be able to function at your best, so be sure to eat the right foods, get plenty of sleep, and exercise.
That way you will be less stressed and able to function at your optimal level.
The Last Thing You Need to Know About Time Management
Time management can be very difficult to achieve as a mother but with the right tips it is very doable. With the right mindset, focus, and adoption of new skills it is possible to be good at managing your time.
Learning how to effectively manage your time is important as a mother. It will help you not only reduce stress in your life but it will help you to be better productively and you will be able to pass these skills on to your children.
However, just like all things a little more complex, practice makes perfect! The more you put these tips to use, the better you will get at them.
Do you have a favorite tip that helps you manage your time more effectively? What advice would you give to moms looking to better manage their time?
