How to Make Time for Family (even if you have too much work)

Feel like you never have time to prioritize your family because of work?

You’re in the right place.

Today, I’ll show you how to escape this cycle and learn how to make time for family, even on the busiest days. We’ve used these same steps to go from 80-hour workweeks to working 20-hour weeks and having all the time in the world for our three daughters.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

💡Key takeaways:

Family time lowers stress and anxiety, improves children’s social skills and academic performance, and fights mental illness.
Some of the best ways to make time for family include time management, scheduling family time, sharing and delegating responsibilities, and planning activities together.
By the time our kids turn 12, we’ve spent almost all of the time we have with them.

Jump straight to…

Get better at managing your time
Set boundaries
Prioritize and schedule family time
Delegate and share responsibilities
Do chores together
Plan activities together
Spend quality time together

Why is family time important?

It’s easy to put off family time, thinking, I’ll spend more time with them tomorrow.

But here’s the reality:

✅ Family time boosts children’s social skills, academic performance, and behavior.
✅ It reduces stress and anxiety for both kids and adults.
✅ It helps prevent mental health struggles by building strong emotional connections.

And when you really think about it…we don’t have much time.

⏳ By the time your child turns 12, you’ve already spent 75% of your total time with them.

That’s why time isn’t just valuable—it’s irreplaceable.

But making time for family isn’t always easy. Let’s talk about the challenges.

Why do you struggle to spend time with your family?

Let’s be real—life moves fast.

As a working mom of three young kids, I know how overwhelming it can feel to carve out more time for family.

You’re constantly juggling:

✅ Work demands and unpredictable schedules
✅ Your kids’ packed calendars—extracurriculars, lessons, and sports
✅ Endless digital distractions—social media, emails, and TV
✅ Poor work-life balance that blurs personal time
✅ Household chores that never seem to end

No surprise that families get less than an hour of quality time together each day.

But here’s something to think about…

Are you really that busy, or is something else taking up your time?

Let’s dive into how to create time for your family.

How do you have more time for your family?

Research shows that for most people, family time is the most important part of life—yet making time for it is one of the biggest challenges.

But here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to be.

When we had our first daughter, Gigi, Demir and I had to figure out how to balance productivity and family life—even during our busiest weeks.

Because at the end of the day, our goal isn’t just to “make time.” It’s to create a life where we’re all truly happy—and we’ve done just that.

Here below are some of the strategies that worked for us – and if you’d rather watch a video, take a look at this quick video:

1. Get better at managing your time

The first step to making more time for family is learning to manage your time more effectively.

Because let’s be honest—your days may feel packed, but chances are, you’re not as busy as you think.

Want proof? Do a time audit.

For two weeks, track your time in 30-minute increments to uncover:

✅ Where your time actually goes
✅ What tasks take longer than they should
✅ Where you can streamline your schedule

Once you have the data, identify time-wasters—like mindless scrolling or unnecessary TV binges—and cut back.

Now, I know many people (especially parents) avoid tracking their time.

Why?

Because it forces them to confront responsibilities they’d rather ignore.

But here’s the truth: Getting real about your schedule is the key to taking control of it.

The best part? Time tracking works everywhere—not just at home.

When we took our first trip to Paris with Gigi, we used a time audit to plan our days—factoring in naps, sightseeing, and downtime—so everyone got what they needed.

And it made all the difference.

2. Set boundaries

If you want to make more time for family, setting strong boundaries—both personally and professionally—is essential.

Start by saying ‘no’ to anything that cuts into family time, whether it’s unnecessary social commitments, extra work tasks, or distractions.

At work, establish clear work hours and a communication policy.

Let your colleagues know when you’re available—and when you’re not.

When your work hours end, stop working.

✔️ Leave your work phone and laptop at the office if possible
✔️ If you work remotely, close your office door or put work materials out of sight

The clearer your boundaries, the easier it becomes to protect your time for what truly matters—your family.

3. Prioritize and schedule family time

Family time doesn’t just happen—you have to be intentional about it.

That means treating it as a non-negotiable. Block it off in your calendar, just like you would an important work meeting.

📅 Make it a habit.

Demir and I prioritize breakfast with our girls every single day. It’s a simple routine, but it gives us a chance to connect and talk about the day ahead.

🍽️ And it makes a difference—91% of parents say their family is less stressed when they eat meals together.

Routines create rhythm and strengthen bonds, even when life feels chaotic.

So find what works for your family—whether it’s breakfast, dinner, or bedtime—and stick with it. And make sure to schedule and spend quality time with your family on the weekends.

But be flexible. Life is unpredictable, especially with kids. If routines shift, adapt and focus on connection over perfection.

4. Delegate and share responsibilities

The more you delegate and share responsibilities, the more time you free up for your family.

So don’t hesitate to ask for help.

👫 Start with your partner.

Demir and I split our daily chores so we both contribute without losing family time to housework.

✔️ Use systems to stay on top of everything.

If managing your household while working full-time feels overwhelming, structured systems can make it easier.

We have a system for everything—meals, fitness, our kids’ routines, and household maintenance. These routines keep things running smoothly without draining our time.

🤝 Outsource when you can.

We’ve outsourced tasks like dog walking, laundry, and cleaning for years—and the time we get back is worth every penny.

Want to see how we do it? I’ll break it down in this video:

5. Do chores together

Believe it or not, chores can double as quality family time—if you make them a team effort.

Get your kids involved by assigning age-appropriate tasks:

Younger kids can sort laundry by color, wipe surfaces, or water plants
Older kids can handle vacuuming, loading the dishwasher, or organizing their space

Sure, most kids aren’t thrilled about chores (I wasn’t either!), but they’re a sneaky way to boost connection and teamwork.

Turn chores into a game, set a timer for a challenge, or play music to keep things light and engaging.

With the right approach, chores become less of a task—and more of a bonding experience.

6. Plan activities together

Even if time is limited, you can make the most of it with shared activities.

Try:

Family game nights
DIY projects or crafts
Cooking meals together
Outdoor outings or adventures
Exploring hobbies as a family

The key? Choose activities everyone can enjoy and look forward to. That way, you’re not just spending time together—you’re fostering connection and creating lasting memories.

7. Spend quality time together

When it comes to making time for family, quality matters more than quantity.

For example, when Gigi was young, I prioritized afternoons with her. We didn’t need elaborate plans—just playing and enjoying each other’s company.

Later, after dinner, we’d go for a walk around the neighborhood or play fetch with the dog.

None of these moments took hours. But they were meaningful.

Because quality time isn’t about grand gestures or packing your schedule. It’s about being present and fully engaged in moments that strengthen your connection.

Still wondering how to find more time for family? Keep reading—I’ll answer the most common questions next!

FAQ: How to find more time for family

How much family time is enough?

There’s no single answer—it depends on your family’s needs and circumstances.

But here’s what matters most: quality over quantity. Even small moments, like reading a book before bed or sharing a meal, can create meaningful connections. The key is to be fully present in the time you do have.

How do you find more time as a parent?

If you’re struggling to make time for family, start with these strategies:

Manage your time more effectively
Set boundaries
Prioritize family time and plan activities
Delegate responsibilities and do chores together
Focus on quality time

By making small, intentional changes, you can create more meaningful time with your family—without adding more stress to your day.

Become better at managing your time!

There you have it!

How to find more time for family, even when your schedule is bursting at the seams.

But you won’t truly learn how to have time for family until you learn to manage your time more effectively.

If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you covered with our Win the Week Worksheet.