Tips to effectively manage your time as a Mom

Being a Mom is a full time job. In fact, research shows it is the equivalent of 2.5 full time jobs per child. That means, a lot of time is spent investing ourselves into the care and nurture of our children. Therefore, time is our most valuable asset as mothers. It must be properly stewarded and managed in order to make the most of it. Although I am a stay home mom, I do not stay put. I am constantly working between caring for Sophia Rose, running two small businesses, and providing pastoral counseling. The only way I am able to fulfill all of these roles efficiently is by meticulous planning and allocating my time efficiently. I want to share six of the tips that I find most helpful in managing my time.

Get a Planner. The first and most important tip I have for you is get a planner. It doesn’t matter if its a physical one or a digital one, but you need a planner. You need to have place where you write down or keep track of important dates, deadlines, projects, etc. Utilizing a planner minimizes the chance of you forgetting or “double booking” yourself. An example of double booking is putting two things in the same time slot on your day because you forgot to mark that time as unavailable. Having a planner does not have to be complex. All you need is a calendar with all the dates of the month and a space to fill in whatever you have that corresponds for those days. I am ‘old school’ and I use an actual planner that I write in. I write everything from appointments to deadlines, to simple reminders to myself. If it isn’t in the planner, it does not exist in my world.

Hire help where you need it. This one is a huge help. No pun intended. If you can afford to hire someone to help make your life easier, do it. For me, its the laundry. I use a laundry service and it frees up so much time for me to do other things. Not only does it save me time, it saves me energy. Laundry for three people is exhausting and outsourcing the completion of it works for me. Maybe it isn’t laundry for you. Maybe it’s cooking. Hire a meal prep service that is budget friendly. Maybe it’s cleaning for you. Hire a cleaning service that is budget friendly. This might require a bit of research on your part since ‘budget’ friendly means different things to different people; but I am telling you it’s worth it. You know the saying ‘you get what you pay for’? Well, you get the extra needed time that you pay for by hiring others to help you.

Work around your standard commitments and appointments. Now this one can be tricky if your standard appointments are not a set time each time but, it still can be done. For example, if you know every Monday between hours of 10:00am and 1:00pm you have a meeting with your boss or a business call, even though the meeting isn’t held at a set time know that is three hours where you cannot commit to anything else externally. You also know, that is three hours you can use internally. Here is what I mean; I have a standard meeting on Mondays that can occur within a three hour window. Most of the time I sit on this meeting muted and so what do I do? I use that three hour window to either prep or lightly clean. I physically have to be on my computer on ZOOM and be listening just in case I am called on, but I am also able to take care of my responsibilities here at home while doing so. Work around the things you cannot get out of.

Prioritize time for you weekly or biweekly. Mommies need downtime just like children need playtime. You need time for you, mom. Whether it’s getting your nails done, your hair done, or just time to sit and do nothing–you need that time for you. Prioritize it into your schedule. It WILL help you better manage your time. I am telling you. I am my most productive when I have had a break from my dearest, darling daughter, Sophia. I am in a better mood, more patient, and I generally have more energy when I factor in my “breaks” into my schedule. For me, that means I add my nail appointments to my schedule and I try my best to keep them. Of course, things happen but try your best to keep your appointments for self-care the same way you would keep a pediatrician appointment. You matter too, mama.

Know what and who to “no” and make no apology for doing so. It is super important that you learn “no.” is a full sentence. No is a full boundary. It is a necessary boundary. Being able to say ‘no’ without explanation or apology will not only keep you from overwhelming yourself and your time management endeavors, but it will also help you begin to decipher those who do not respect time: yours or theirs. More often than not, other people will try to overwhelm you with things they want you to do without taking into consideration all that you have going on yourself. People who do not steward their own time, always have something they want you to do with yours. Be able to discern what to ‘no.’, and be able to say it with confidence. Your family, career, and obligations are your first priority. Always.

Do not cram things into your days. Space out your to do list. There are seven days in each week. Trying to cram everything into your days only will cost you precious time because it makes you liable to make mistakes, which cost you time. Instead, space out the things you have to do. Do not feel pressured to accomplish fifty things every day. Hustle culture is putting people in early graves. Take as much time as you need to get what you need to get done. Do not allow anyone to rush you. You are just one person, and if you are are like me you have many hats that sit on your one head.

Ultimately, being able to be everything and do everything is not a badge of honor. Slow down and manage your time. Your children and ultimately you, yourself deserve the version of you that has had time to plan, prepare, organize and set aside the time needed to make your lives have a rhythm and flow that works for you.