Time Management Tips for Busy Moms

Long to-do lists, laundry to fold, dinner to plan, unfinished projects – all on top of taking care of those sweet kiddos you love so much. A lot of days productivity feels like a dream. Right, mamas?

Here’s the catch to getting more done – it’s not actually about getting more done. The point is keeping your attention on what matters most so that you know you’re getting the most important things done.

If you want to learn more, click below to watch my YouTube video.

You can’t do it all, but you can do some. 

You know the phrase “Today I’m going to give it my all!” – well a while back I saw one of those memes on Pinterest that said “Today I’m going to give it my some.”

It’s funny, but it’s also true! You can’t get everything done in a day that you’d like to, but you can get some of those things done. The number one thing you can do to manage your time as a busy mom is to prioritize what’s most important. When you find yourself with a precious pocket of time to knock some things off your to do list, is cleaning the garage or making next week’s shopping list most important to you, today?

Regularly check in with yourself to ensure that you’re placing proper emphasis on each area of your life and to do list.

It’s Not About What You Start, But What You Finish

This tip was a game changer for me! I love starting things. Key word – starting things. But I’ve been known to spend precious time spinning my wheels starting project after project but never finishing anything.

Commit to finishing one project before you start another, especially if they’re the same type of project. If you’re making a scrapbook for your kid’s sixth birthday party, finish that one completely before starting another. This way you’ll exercise your finishing muscle and build the habit of finishing what you start. It’s better to have a few things completely done than several projects started.

Every time you add, you have to subtract. 

“Wait,” you’re saying, “What kind of weird math has that lady been learning?” But hear me out. When it comes to being more productive, keep in mind that every time you say “yes” to something new, you’re going to have to say “no” to something else.

It’s easy to try and do it all, but whether your plan for it or not, this strange addition/subtraction rule is going to hold true.. You simply can’t fit it all in no matter how badly you want to, but if you aren’t on the lookout for it, who knows what’s going to get shoved out of your schedule. Instead, be intentional about adding in new commitments. You are allowed to say both “yes” and “no” as new opportunities present themselves – keep your priorities top of mind and you can’t go wrong!

Uninterrupted Time is Golden

My kids are five and three and are constantly needing my attention. “Mommy come play with me!” “Mommy I need to go potty!” “Mommy I want a snack!” – it’s an all day, every day narrative, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but it certainly makes productivity a struggle.

When you find yourself with a pocket of uninterrupted time, treat it like gold. Now isn’t the time to fold laundry or wash dishes – if you get interrupted doing those kinds of things they’ll still be there for you when you get back (unfortunately!)  Use your uninterrupted time to work on things like paying bills or meal prepping that are more time sensitive and require more focus. Or, maybe the best use of your time is to indulge in a little self care and take a nap. It’s not so much about what you get done during this time, it’s about making sure you’re using it purposefully.

Hopefully these tips help you take back your time and get the best things done while loving on those kiddos!