Moms, I know you've got a cape hidden somewhere beneath that daily to-do list. Being a mom is a 24/7 job, and when you throw work into the mix, it's like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle.
I've gathered a list of time management hacks that are about to make your life a whole lot easier. These are no ordinary tips; they're the superhero moves you need to conquer the chaos, own your schedule, and still have quality time with your little ones.
I've tried soooo many in my years as a mom, but these are gold!
1. Master the Art of Prioritization: Start your day by identifying the top 3 most important tasks. Focus on these before anything else. It ensures you tackle the most crucial things first. Write them down and cross them off the list as you finish them. Don't move on to less important tasks until they are all crossed off.
2. Batch Your Tasks: Group similar tasks together. Whether it's answering emails, meal prep, or cleaning, doing them all in one go saves time and energy. I use my Google Calendar for this. For example: "Answer Emails" at 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. I set reminders and make it a point to actually follow it. This allows me to finish my to-do list by the end of the day. It keeps me on task and keeps me motivated to move on to the next one.
3. The Pomodoro Technique with a Twist: Combine the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break) with a twist. During your break, engage your kids in a quick, fun activity like a short dance party or a mini art project. It keeps them entertained and bonds you together.
4. Meal Prep Freeze-Off: Dedicate one day a month to a massive meal prep session. Cook and freeze a variety of family-friendly meals. Label them with reheating instructions, and you've just saved yourself from daily cooking dilemmas.
5. Task Gamification: Turn chores into a game with your kids. Assign point values to tasks, and they can earn rewards when they reach a certain number of points. It makes chores exciting, and you get help around the house. You shouldn't have to do it all, momma.
6. Parenting Pods: Connect with other moms in your neighborhood and form a "parenting pod." Share responsibilities like school drop-offs, pickups, and playdates. It lightens the load for everyone involved. I have one other mom is my parenting pod (neighbor) who has quickly become my best friend, too. Even just one other person can make a huge difference. But make sure you're willing to put in the work when its your turn.
7. Delegate School Responsibilities: Encourage your kids to take charge of their own school responsibilities, such as packing their lunch, laying out their clothes, and organizing their backpacks. It teaches them independence and reduces your workload. And I always do those things the evening before school, not the morning of. Mornings are too rushed anyways and adding more chores to the morning routine isn't fun for everyone. So when we wake up, lunches are packed, clothes are picked out, and backpacks are ready to go. Easy peasy.
8. Reverse Meal Planning: Instead of planning meals first, look at what you already have in your pantry and fridge, then plan your meals around those ingredients. It minimizes food waste and saves shopping time.
9. Outsource When Possible: Even superheroes need help and there is no shame in it. Consider hiring help for tasks like cleaning, grocery shopping, or childcare if it's within your budget. I have a housekeeper come in every once in a while when I'm feeling too overwhelmed or simply just too busy to tackle it. It's well worth the money to take the task off my hands, freeing up my time to spend with my family.
10. The 2-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately. It prevents small tasks from piling up.
11. One Thing at a Time: Focus on one task at a time. If you have 100 things on your to-do list, trying to do all 100 at once just means nothing ever gets done. Or it gets done half-heartedly. Make a list (again, top 3 priorities first) and go through the list one by one. It's so easy to get off task when you have a busy day ahead of you. If your mind is in 100 places, you'll feel overwhelmed and your list will never get finished.
Got any tried and true hacks that you'd like to share?
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