It’s easy to talk about the need for self-care as a busy, working mom, but it’s different to actually do it. You have a lot going on. I get it. So, what can we do to make time in our day for self-care when you’re a busy, working mom? I share 7 time management tips for busy working moms to add more self-care into their day and/or week.
Time management is an integral part of work-life balance as a working mom. I’m all about saving time when I can. As a working mom, I want to make the most of my time when I’m working or doing house-related stuff, so that I have more time for family and a bit of time for self-care. Let’s talk time-saving tips to help you fit in more self-care into your day.
Batching
It’s easier to do the same thing over and over because you get into a groove. That’s where batching helps. I batch tasks, like writing this blog or checking email, or even doing calls. That way I’m not switching from one task to another, because that takes a lot of mental energy.
On top of batching, I use the Pomodoro method – working 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. And I use those 5 minutes wisely. I unloaded the full dishwasher in two 5-minute breaks. Plus, I did some moving around. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to jump from task to task and expect to be at our most productive.
Use your peak efficiency times wisely
Morning is my most productive time. I use the morning to write, strategize, figure out business-building activities, etc. If I’m not batching, I set time to do specific tasks in the morning and stick to the schedule so that I’m most efficient with my time. I use the Pomodoro method here as well and my natural rhythm helps me keep to 25 minute timing and then the 5 minute break. Use a timer, calendar, or whatever you need, to stick to time parameters you put in place.
When is your most efficient time of day to work? What is your most efficient block of time to work? If you don’t know, experiment on time of day and amount of time over the course of a week. Try different kinds of productivity approaches to see what works for you. Make adjustments as necessary over time, especially if you see something isn’t working.
Two words: slow cooker
I didn’t even know what a slow cooker was before having kids. My husband owned one, but I never noticed it when we combined stuff. And then one day, not long after our first son was born, my husband got it out and made something yummy and taught me the wise ways of the slow cooker. Since then, and especially after having our second son, I have truly embraced the slow cooker. I have a few favorite yummy chicken recipes that our kids love too. Check them out on the Mompowerment Pinterest page.
Two more words: make extra
I usually make enough food for two nights because I don’t want to cook every night. We’re not so excited about eating the same thing three nights in a row, so we usually don’t. I will often make enough for 3 nights, though, and freeze the third portion. That way I have an easy single portion of food to thaw out and heat up when things are busy and I don’t have time to make dinner from scratch.
Not interested in eating the exact same thing two nights in a row? We’re not either. Use my trick of making the same entrée and changing up the sides (e.g., potatoes and broccoli one night and rice and peas the next). Making simple sides takes a lot less time than making a whole meal.
I’ve learned to embrace the freezer and use it as part of my time-saving tips. We freeze a lot of stuff for breakfast too. I often make muffins or yummy banana bread in double batches and freeze almost all of it. My husband makes homemade cheese biscuits that freeze well. We sometimes add spinach to make them healthier. If we need a quick breakfast or even just a change of breakfast options, outcomes the yummy goodness. We can heat it up on the spot or thaw it out overnight in the fridge.
Special toys
Sometimes, I need to do something like interview a mom for the Mompowerment book and we schedule when the boys are at home. I have a few games and toys that I bring out only when I need to get things done. It seems to keep the kids entertained and it keeps those toys interesting to our kids since they rarely play with them. Use this same idea and find toys or an activity for your kids so that you can fit in something like a workout or taking a moment to yourself to read a book. Keep the kids busy and get in your self-care moment.
Grocery services
I love the grocery store, but I know that many moms dread grocery shopping. I asked for friends’ advice on ways to make that chore easier and got several responses. Some grocery stores are also now delivering for a small fee to homes within a specific radius from their location. And, if those don’t deliver to your area, see if Amazon does with their new grocery service. Instacart and many other similar services deliver your groceries from your preferred grocer to your house.
Many grocery stores now charge a small fee to shop for you, based on your specific list, and you swing by and pick up. This could be well-worth the convenience, especially with younger kids.
There are even the services that deliver a box to your house with the recipes already portioned out. We’ve tried those a few times and they can be helpful.
Use the night before
Use the night before to save time in the morning. Prepare your bag for work, get everything in the baby bag for daycare, and have kids put anything they can in their backpacks. Have kids choose clothing the night before. If I need to be somewhere in the morning for a meeting, even if it’s not first thing after drop off, I will usually choose my clothes the night before too. Wash fruit for kids’ lunches. Some moms even prepare the full lunch and stick it in the fridge.
Create a mini plan of what the next day will look like. If something you’re working on requires multiple parts, do you have all those parts? If so, put them all together, so you can hit the ground running the next day. Save a copy of a presentation you’re making on a jump drive or even go ahead and print copies. Do what you can so that you can make the most of the next day.
You get the idea. Shave off small or large chunks of time and then use that time for things you want to do like self-care, whatever that looks like you for. Do you have any time-saving tips? Please share in the comments. If every mom would share a tip, we’d all have new tips to help us with our time management. And that way, we’re more likely to get in our self-care moments.
Looking for more practical tips to help you improve your time management? Grab your copy of the latest Mompowerment book, which is available on Amazon. (This is an affiliate link. If you purchase through this link, I will be compensated at no additional cost to you.)
