10 Time Management Tips For Busy Moms

Moms are busy, there is no arguing that.  Life is chaotic with kids, no matter what their ages.  There are things you can do as a mom to make your life easier, and make you feel more in control.  I feel like good time management goes a long way in making days/weeks run more smoothly.

{one} Establish A Routine.  No matter what age of your children.  Kids love and thrive on knowing what to expect.  Knowing when they are eating, sleeping, bathing, playing.  Work hard to get on a routine that works for your family, and stick to it.  Every family is different, so it is hard to spell out what a routine should be.  If you want a look into our life check out this post!

{two} Get A Good Great Planner. This is such a personal preference.  I am in love, and have been for 3 years with my Erin Condren Life Planner.  I have also heard people love the Filofax,MomAgenda , or even making your own.  You can you ICal and sync with your spouse or family Google calender, but I suggest working on paper. From meal plans, to kids activities, to your husbands commitments,  Write everything down!  It will make life so much easier.  

{three} Enlist Your Kids for Help. Cleaning my 6 & 4 year olds rooms should NOT be my responsibility.  Yea, I may have to go through when I am in there dusting and sweeping and put away some things, but on the day to day, your kids should be able to help out by cleaning their bedrooms, toys, and also clearing their plates from meals.  After school, your school aged children should also get into the routine of taking care of putting their lunch items away, and hanging their book bag. 

{four} Take Advantage of Unusable Time. Sitting in the car during carpool, or waiting for CCD to be over, or gymnastics, is so frustrating to me.  I used to sit there thinking of all that could be done.  When in reality this is a great time to work.  First thing I do, make sure my car is cleaned up.  I mean you are in the car anyway, why not freshen it up.  Also making phone calls.  Lastly, I always have my planner with me, so I can meal plan, or make a list of things I want to accomplish the next day.  Doing billing, or writing letters would also be something you could easily do from the car.

{five} Sometimes Take The Juice Boxes. I have trouble with this, but it is ok to sign up to take something as simple as plates to the class party.  You don't ALWAYS have to make the cupcakes, or fruit sticks, or another awesome Pinterest find for the party.  Also you can say no once in awhile too, if your life is just too overloaded.

{six} Make A List.  Every night before I settle in to relax for the night, I make a to-do list for the next day.  Now the list hardly ever get completed, but it is nice to start each day with a plan.

{seven} Step Away, Just Take A Nap.  If everything is just too overwhelming, you don't know where to start, and your kids are down for their nap, join them.  Naps make everything better! 

{eight} Don't Run Errands With Your Kids.  I know this isn't always doable, but when you can run errands alone.  It goes so much faster when you don't have to strap and unstrap kids in and out of the car at every stop.  Not to mention you bypass the tantrums, slow walkers, kids running the isles.  When I can't go alone, I pick a time I have the least amount of children with me.  Why run to Target with all three kids on a Friday afternoon when I can go Monday morning with just the baby while the others are at school.

{nine} Go To Bed With A Semi-Clean House.  Sometimes this is so hard, but so worth it.  If you go to bed with your living room, dining room, and kitchen de-cluttered and put away, it will just make you happy the next morning.  No one like waking up knowing they are already behind for the day.  I am not talking vacuumed, dusted and spotless, just throw the toys in a toy box, make sure your sink is empty and all the dishes are done, counters are clean, and there aren't a ton of crumbs on the dining room table/floor. 

{ten} Don't Beat Yourself Up. Raising kids in hard work.  You can't do it all, no matter what!  Prioritize, and always stop to take time to sit back and just enjoy life.  It isn't about finishing a project, crossing items off a list, or having an immaculate house.  It's about enjoy the life you have created, and making memories your kids will treasure forever!

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