8 Easy & Effective Time Management Strategies for Working Moms

Life is busy. If you’re a mom, it’s next-level busy. But here’s the thing: we don’t have to feel totally frazzled every day. Let’s get right into 8 easy & effective time management strategies for moms.

Managing our time well doesn’t mean packing every second with to-dos. It means doing what matters—and letting go of what doesn’t. Let’s chat about eight simple ways to manage your time better.

Time Management Strategies To Start Today

1. Delegate Like a Boss (Well, make it a team effort!)

You can’t do it all, so stop trying. Let your kids do their laundry. They can. (Trust me.) Ask your spouse to handle dinner one night a week. Hire out that deep cleaning if it’s in the budget.

Delegating frees up your energy for things only you can do—like being Mom.

2. Eliminate the Busy Work

Not every task on your list is essential. Take a hard look. Does it need to be done? Can it wait? Can someone else do it? Busy work keeps us spinning but gets us nowhere. Cut it loose.

Oh, and don’t find busy work to do just so you can avoid what you don’t want to do! Yikes! 

3. Batch Work for the Win

Here’s the deal with batch work: you stay in the zone and knock things out fast. Cleaning bathrooms? Start with toilets in all the bathrooms. Then grab your Windex and hit all the mirrors. Follow with sinks. Done. Same with vacuuming—knock out the whole house in one go.

Set a timer if you need the push. Ten minutes per task and move on. You’ll be amazed.

4. Use Technology Wisely (or Not at All)

Technology can work for you—or be your biggest time-waster. Use apps to track tasks (I prefer paper pencil, but, I was born in the 1900’s) or automate grocery orders. But also know when to unplug. Need a mental reset?

Shut off the phone and enjoy a screen-free hour. Balance is key.

5. Stick to Daily Routines

Mornings and afternoons set the tone. I have a morning routine I love—it’s simple and gets my day moving. My afternoon routine? It keeps me sane. If you want the details, I have a post about each one. The short version?

Routines save brainpower. They make life smoother. You might have to practice that routine muscle, but once it’s developed, it will take you way less time and mental effort. 

6. Time Block Like a Pro

Give every task a home on your calendar. Work, dinner, exercise—it all gets a spot. Time blocking keeps you focused. It also shows you what fits in a day—and what doesn’t. No more cramming.

Busy moms may not have enough time for everything in the daily schedule, but they can get a lot done without having a lot of time. 

7. Stay on Task (Motivation Hack)

Staying on task is hard when you’re tired. Keep it simple. Set a timer for 30 minutes and just start. Tell yourself, “Just this one thing.” Sometimes that’s all you need to keep going. Also? Celebrate small wins. Got the laundry folded? High five. Every bit counts.

There are a lot of “important things” to do, that you might actually find are time wasters. So stay focused! Sorry, I am here for motivation. 

8. Pray Over Your Time

This one’s a game changer. Each month, sit down with your calendar and pray. Ask God to fill it with what He wants and remove what He doesn’t. Daily, ask Him to direct your steps.

Walking into work? Pray for help focusing for the next 30 minutes. Driving home? Ask for wisdom for what needs to happen in the next hour. It’s like having a divine to-do list—and it works.

Encouragement for Using Time Management Strategies

You don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to be perfect. But managing your time with intention? It’ll help you show up better for yourself and your family. Start small. Pick one strategy and run with it. You’ve got this.

More Specific Tips 

Managing time as a busy working mom isn’t just about checking off your to-do list (although I love checking things off my hand-written list). It’s about creating space for what matters most—your family, your personal life, and yes, a little breathing room for yourself.

Let’s dig deeper into some practical tips for household chores, routines, and keeping the distractions at bay.

Chores Are a Family Affair

Household chores shouldn’t rest solely on your shoulders. Every family member can contribute, no matter their age. It takes time to teach, but the payoff is worth it. Here’s a simple chart to guide you:

For Little Ones (3–5): They can be such a great help, even when they are little bitty! 

• Put toys in bins.
• Wipe spills with a cloth.
• Help set the table.
• Match socks when folding laundry.

For Elementary Age (6–10)

• Empty small trash cans.
• Dust low surfaces.
• Sweep the kitchen floor.
• Load or unload the dishwasher.

For Younger Teens (11–14)

• Clean their bathroom.
• Handle their own laundry (yes, they can actually do it at this age-earlier for some).
• Vacuum common areas.
• Help prep meals (cutting veggies, stirring sauces).

For Older Teens (15–18)

• Cook simple meals one night a week.
• Do their own laundry.
• Mow the lawn or handle yard work.
• Run small errands (with a list).

For Adult Children (Living at Home)

• Help with grocery shopping and making meals.
• Take over a big chore (like deep cleaning the fridge, car maintenance, cleaning the house).
• Have fun continuing to teach along side them. 

Teaching these skills not only lightens your load but helps your kids grow into capable, contributing adults.

Social Media: The Time Robber

Let’s talk about the rabbit hole. Social media is a sneaky thief, robbing you of time you didn’t even know you had. Scroll for “just five minutes,” and suddenly, an hour’s gone.

Fight back. I wouldn’t make it part of your daily routine if you want to get more accomplished. 

Here’s how:

• Set a Timer: Before picking up your phone, set a timer for five minutes. Then put it down and tackle a task. You’ll be amazed how much you can get done in those five minutes. Those focused minutes really do help you to start the next day on the right foot. 
• Designate Screen-Free Times: Meal prep? No phone. Helping with homework? No scrolling. These moments are small but important.
• Unfollow the Noise: If your feed is full of distractions, clean it up. Follow accounts that add value to your life. 

The Power of Quality Time

Quality time doesn’t have to mean hours. It’s about making the minutes count.
• In the Car: Talk about their day. Sing along to their favorite song. These moments matter.
• During Dinner: Ask one thoughtful question. (What made you laugh today?)
• At Bedtime: A quick hug, prayer, or story goes a long way. Getting enough sleep is also really important, but we can talk about that another time. 

Even small moments create big connections.

Daily Routines That Work

I swear by my morning and afternoon routines. They keep me sane. Most routines are just made up of some helpful systems that don’t take a lot of extra time. They DO take time, but it’s worth it to learn some systems that will be with you in the long run. 
• Morning Routine for Working Moms: Start early. Pray, hydrate, and get ready before anyone else wakes up. I plan my day, tackle a quick chore, blog, and leave the house feeling prepared.
• Afternoon Routine for Working Moms: When I walk in the door, I hit the ground running. I multitask with purpose—browning meat while unloading the dishwasher or prepping tomorrow’s lunch. Exercise is part of my routine, too. It keeps me grounded.

I share these routines in detail on my blog because they work for me, and I hope they can work for you too.

Grocery Store Strategies

Meal planning saves so much time. Every Sunday, I send out a weekly meal plan email. It includes recipes with links, so you can plug them into your grocery order for pickup or delivery. If you prefer to shop in person, use it as a base for your list.

Plan once, shop once, and enjoy less stress all week. If you add this into your time management strategies, it really will save you time during the week.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone

Better time management isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what matters. Remember, your family is a team. Teaching your kids to help takes time, but it’s an investment with a big return.

Set timers, focus on similar tasks, and cut out distractions. Pray daily over your schedule. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you made time for what counts—your family, your faith, and yourself.

Let’s work smarter and give it our all. Learning something new isn’t always easy at first. Give yourself time and practice these time management strategies just a little bit at a time. I know you may face your own unique set of challenges, so be flexible and don’t give up! 

With joy,

Anna Sue