Time Management Tips for Multitasking Mom
Hey Momma!
How are you? Seriously, how are you doing?
It’s okay if you’re tired.
I’ve been there. And, let’s be honest, this past year has been one for the books.
As a fellow momma, I know things get overwhelming.
We’ve been thrown curveball after curveball this year. And, if this year has taught me anything, it’s that time management skills are essential. Having systems in place not only benefit my sanity, but systems benefit my kiddos, too!
So, today I’m sharing some of my best practices for the momma who does ALL. THE. THINGS.
Best part, this blog is for moms who are working remotely or still going to the office. It’s for the moms who are sending their kiddos to school or doing virtual class from home. Annddd… it’s even for the moms who are doing a little bit of everything right now.
P.S. At the end of this blog you’ll be able to download my F R E E Time Management Guide for the Multitasking Mom. It includes all sorts of goodies to help get your time management skills to the pro level.
1. Sunday Power Hour
Take one hour on Sunday to map out your week. Have your kids pick out their clothes for the week if they don’t wear uniforms. This allows you to know what laundry needs to be done for the week.
You can also take this power hour time to meal plan. Or, if you are a Sunday grocery shopper, have your power hour on Saturday evenings so you have your grocery list prepped for the next day.
Get the Look! Leopard Dot Dress
Get the Tools! Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner // Acrylic Dry-Erase Board // Rolling Laundry Basket // Daily Clothes Organizer
2. Get up 30 Minutes Early
On weekdays, get up at least 30-minutes earlier than your children (even if they are learning remotely!). I cannot stress the importance of having some sort of quiet time before the chaos of the day begins.
If you’re a coffee drinker, preset your coffee maker so you’ll wake up to a fresh cup of coffee. This way, you can drink it during your 30-minutes of peace (yay for hot coffee!). Or, if you’re like me, sometimes you take this 30-minutes to map out your to-do list for the day.
Get the Look! V-neck Tunic
Get the Tools! Well Done Good and Faithful Mommy Book // Coffee Mug
3. Evening Power Clean
This tip takes self-discipline. BUT… every evening have your family do a 15-minute power clean. Straighten up the living room, start a load of laundry, start the dishwasher, pick up toys, etc. Set the timer for 15 minutes and see who can get the most cleaned up within that time frame.
Waking up to a clean space does wonders for your mindset!
Get the Look! Athleta Romper
Get the Tools! Dyson Vacuum
4. Teach Your Kiddos How to Help
To piggyback off the Evening Power Clean… it’s SO important to include your kiddos on daily chores. You can even include your kiddos when it comes to making dinner. Teaching your children how to help around the house is gold because now, you don’t have to do all the things on your own. Raise your babies to be independent problem solvers.
I cannot stress this point enough – teach your kids how to help you!
Get the Look! Athleta Romper
Get the Tools: Vitamix Blender
Momma’s with Virtual Learners…
5. Create a Designated Work Space
I highly suggest a designated area for “school.” I know this is a strange tip for time management… but what this step does is it allows your kids to know okay, this means we need to be working during this time. And, in return, this allows you to get your to-do list tackled during their school time.
And, depending on the age of your children, you may want to make this space close to where you spend the bulk of your day so you can keep a close watch.
Get the Tools! Desk space organizer
6. Set a Schedule and Stick to It
I get it, schedules are going to look different when having your kiddos learn virtually. BUT… one thing that doesn’t need to be different is a set schedule. Naturally, your kiddos won’t have to wake up at 5:30am to be dressed, ready, fed and driven to school to start their school day at 8am. However, I do recommend creating a school routine that happens Monday-Friday that aligns well with their normal school day.
For example: 7am – Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, 8:30am – Login to classroom portal do school work, 10am – 15min break from computer screen, 11:30am – Lunch, 12:30pm “recess, 1pm – school work, 2:30pm -1 5min break from computer screen, 3:30pm end of school day
Get the Look! Leopard Flutter Top
Get the Tools! Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner // Acrylic Dry-Erase Board
7. Schedule in Brain Breaks + Allow for Spontaneous Ones
If you’re anything like me, when I get into the go, go, go! mindset I often forget to take a break to breathe. Or, you know, eat lunch.
Set an alarm for 3-5 “brain breaks’ during the day (even if your kids aren’t learning from home – this is important for you, too, Momma!).
Some things you can do during these brain breaks include: going outside to water your plants, shoot the basketball for a little bit, run a quick lap around your backyard, do some jumping jacks, color a picture, read a chapter of your favorite book, and a personal fave of my two girls – ride your bike for 5-10min.
Whatever it is you choose to do during your brain breaks, it’s important you take time for them because they truly re energize you, making you more productive throughout the day.
8. Work School into Daily Tasks that Need to be Done
This tip comes in handy with the little ones that are home from school that need more attention than your “big kid.” When there’s no set subjects that are being taught, your younger one is most likely missing out on the time their teachers spend helping them with phonics, shapes, counting and writing.
So if you’re child is younger and doesn’t have set “take home” work consider having them help you sort the laundry by color, practice writing out the grocery list with you, let them measure the bed after they make it or measure the couch after they help you straighten the pillows. As you are picking up toys make sure to tell them what the toy is called and emphasize the starting letter of each toy. They will be helping you, entertained, and learning all the same time. It’s a win-win, Momma! And, even though it may take you a bit longer to accomplish tasks with your little one(s) helping you, I promise they’ll be great memories.
9. Take Friday’s Off
If you’re school allows, take off on Fridays. Yes, you read that right… you bust it all week, take off on Friday’s. It will help you get through Thursday when you are dog tired and allow for some real fun like pack a lunch and go to the park or watch a movie. You can also use this day to really get the housework done so you can truly have a relaxing Saturday and Sunday.
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One last tip for ALL the Momma’s (and dads!)….
10. Give Yourself Grace
This is THE most important tip of them all! As you set up time management systems within your daily routine, you’ll have some setbacks. And, you’ll be learning what works best for you and your family. It’s hard to be all the things (and, especially if that includes being the principal, lunch lady and teacher right now!).
So, when you are feeling overwhelmed take a deep breath, give yourself time to recollect your thoughts and then re-focus on the day.
You’ve got this, Momma! I’m here cheering you on and balancing all the things right here with you!
Did I leave out your personal fave time management tip? Share it with me in the comments below!
