10 Time Management Strategies for Busy Working Moms

It’s all too easy for working moms to feel overwhelmed trying to balance work, life, and motherhood. As a working mom myself, I know exactly how it feels. But you can do it if you take the right approach to time management for working moms. Today, I'll show you exactly the strategies I use to get more done in less time so I can focus on what really matters – my family, my health, and feeling fulfilled in my work.  Ready? Let’s go! 💡Key takeaways:

• Studies show being a mom is equivalent to working 2.5 full-time jobs and that working moms are 28% more likely to burn out.
• 87% of working moms feel guilty, but you can be a good mom while working full-time. 
• Some of the easiest ways to improve time management for working moms are planning ahead, prioritizing, and delegating. 

Can you be a good mom and work full time? 

It’s a question that every working mother asks herself at some point. Research shows that 55% of moms have full-time jobs – and despite 51% saying it’s good for them, a recent study found that most grapple with guilt (87%) and worry about the impact that spending time away has on their children (50%). Moreover, moms in America have some of the worst work-life balance in the world. With three daughters, figuring out how to balance work, life, and motherhood has been a rollercoaster. I especially struggled when we had our first daughter. Who was I as a mother? A business owner? Was I replaceable as CEO? But I’ve found that you can be a good mom while working. It just comes down to managing your time more effectively. Keep reading to find out why it’s so important.

What’s the importance of time management for working moms? 

As a working mom, you’ve got a lot on your plate. In addition to your full-time job, research shows that you’re the one primarily responsible for:

• Family scheduling
• Household errands
• Cleaning
• Children’s activities, childcare, and schoolwork
• Drop-offs and pick-ups
• Meal planning and prep
• Grocery shopping

It seems like a lot, right? Because it IS! Motherhood is equivalent to working 2.5 jobs – on top of your full-time job! No wonder working moms are 28% more likely to burn out than fathers. But time management for working moms can change everything. It can improve your:

• Stress levels
• Ability to focus
• Decision-making
• Work-life balance

And help prevent burnout.  There are no downsides to mastering time management for working moms. I’ll show you how to do it in the next section.

How do you manage time with kids while working?

Now, I’m not saying that time management for working moms will fix everything. I still juggle parenthood and work. But these strategies have made spending time with my family, enjoying my relationship with Demir, and traveling the world easier. The best ways to improve time management for working moms are:

• Planning ahead
• Prioritizing
• Delegating
• Tracking your time
• Avoiding distractions

1. Plan ahead 

I’d love to be the mom who cooks dinner, bakes cookies, and doesn’t miss a beat at work.  I can’t do it in a day… but if I plan ahead, I can do it all over the course of a week. That’s why I pre-plan my week every Sunday using our Winning the Week Method. It’s just five steps:

• One: Review last week. 
• Two: Set new goals.
• Three: Prioritize tasks.
• Four: Calendarize tasks.
• Five: Review and adjust.

To make it even easier, I use Google Calendar and Asana to coordinate everyone's schedules, streamline our routines, and keep track of deadlines. Knowing exactly what’s coming and when keeps me calm, collected, and able to focus on what matters most each day. 

2. Prioritize  

I know that for moms, everything feels important. But a big part of time management for working moms is being able to prioritize your tasks effectively. That’s why I swear by writing a to-do list with the 1:4:5 rule:

• 1 high-priority task
• 4 mid-priority tasks
• 5 low-priority tasks

Then, instead of going straight for the low-priority tasks, choose the one with the most leverage. What can you get done that will make everything else easier? For example, I like to knock out my top priorities on Monday and Tuesday so I can have the rest of the week for things like cooking and admin tasks. One of the most helpful things Demir and I have done is create a life map outlining our business and personal goals and how we'll get there. It's an easy way to get clarity when I feel overwhelmed or confused. Write yours, and check it before you head to work in the morning!

3. Delegate 

Unless you’re the only person who can do something, let somebody else take care of it. Focus on what really needs your attention. Now, I know some working moms aren’t a fan of this. I get it – I found it hard to give up control at first, too. But it’s worth it. At work, you can outsource to colleagues or hire a virtual assistant. And at home, don’t be afraid to ask your partner or family members to help. If you don’t live near family (like us), you can hire help. For example, we outsource personal tasks like grocery shopping and dog walking. And we've consistently hired nannies to come in for a few hours each day so we can focus on work without worry or guilt.  In fact, they’re the reason I’ve been able to take six months of maternity leave with each daughter.

4. Track your time

Knowing exactly how you spend your time is a key part of time management for working moms. For example, maybe you’re one of the 56% of parents who say they spend too much time on their phones without realizing it. 📲Read more: How to Break Your Digital Addiction But a time audit – tracking your time in half-hour intervals for two weeks – will show you exactly where your time goes. And knowing how you spend your time and what you spend it on will help you identify easy ways to optimize your calendar.

5. Avoid distractions 

Distractions cost us hours of productivity. So try to avoid them. In the office, this might look like:

• Creating a communication policy
• Using technology intermittently
• Wearing noise-canceling headphones

But if you work from home, like I do, try:

• Choosing a designated and quiet workspace
• Creating and sticking to an ideal scheduling
• Setting boundaries and communicating with your family about when you are and aren’t available for their needs (this is VERY important!)

I’ll give you more tips in this guide.

6. Manage household chores 

I know how overwhelming it can be to manage a household while raising your children and working full-time. But finding ways to manage your chores makes them easier. Demir and I each have a list of chores we do throughout the day, which keeps the house from getting out of hand.  We’ve also created as many “set it and forget it” systems as possible – which means we do a lot of outsourcing.  For example, we have a set weekly menu that we hire someone to prep beforehand, and our dog walker and cleaning lady come at the same time every week. My absolute favorite way to manage chores?  Put them in a task manager like Asana. I know I've talked about how much we love Asana for work, but I also swear by it for my personal life. I have a task for everything, from scheduling doctors’ appointments to planning birthday parties and re-ordering dog food. Hear how I use it in this video: 📋Sign up: Asana Mastery Course

7. Make time for yourself 

Taking care of yourself is non-negotiable.  After all, eating well, getting enough sleep, and taking time to recharge are key to avoiding burnout. So, when pre-planning your week, don’t forget to schedule some self-care. What this looks like depends on you. Personally, I take breaks every hour and get pedicures on Friday afternoons. Here are some practical ways to prioritize self-care:

• Set clear boundaries between work and family time
• Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night 
• Move your body throughout the day
• Eat balanced meals 
• Take breaks
• Schedule unscheduled time

8. Create a morning routine

There’s no doubt about it – mornings are stressful with kids. But morning routines can make a huge difference in the chaos. I recommend prepping as much as you can the night before, whether that’s packing lunches, setting out clothes, or getting breakfast items ready. If you have older kids, create checklists for them to foster independence and help them stay on track. Above all else, build a 10-15 minute buffer.  You never know when something might go wrong, and it’ll help keep you from rushing out the door.

9. Automate tasks

Automating as many of your tasks as possible is a great way to improve time management for working moms. For example, you can use a robotic vacuum cleaner that operates at set times or a smart washer or dryer programmed to start at a specific time.  But it extends past chores. You can also automate:

• Meal planning and groceries with meal kit services, grocery subscriptions, and meal planning apps
• Bills and finances with automatic payments or transfers
• Home routines, including turning off lights or adjusting the thermostat, with tools like Google Home or Alexa
• Stocking up on household items with Subscribe & Save on Amazon
• Prescription refills

And don’t be afraid to explore AI, either – AI-powered tools like Asana, Google Calendar, and Mint make scheduling, budgeting, and more easier.

10. Communicate with your partner 

Communicating effectively with your partner is the bedrock of balancing work and family as a mother.  Demir and I have put a ton of effort into learning to communicate and talk about what is and isn’t working without fighting.  And truthfully, it’s an ongoing conversation – especially with three kids!  Even though the conversations can be hard, they’ll help you be a better mom and partner.  There’s a lot that goes into time management for working moms. To keep it simple, I've compiled a checklist – get it in the next section!

Time management for working moms – checklist 

Time management for working moms isn’t always easy, but a few strategies can make all the difference.  Here’s a checklist to help keep you on track:

• Plan ahead
• Prioritize
• Delegate
• Track your time
• Avoid distractions
• Manage household chores
• Make time for yourself
• Create a morning routine
• Automate tasks
• Communicate with your partner

What’s next? 

Well, there you have it! The best ways to master time management for working moms. Reclaiming your time is the best way to work less, get more done, and find greater fulfillment. Ready to make it happen? Then download our Win the Week worksheet to plan your most productive week ever: Read more: Must-Know Time Management Statistics & Facts  Best Time Management Courses  Best Productivity Courses & Certifications