When I first started brainstorming tips for working moms to save time (and sanity), I drew a blank.
As an aside, I feel that moms that work from home, stay-at-home moms, and moms that work outside of their home ALL face the same challenges. The top challenge on the list, by far, is that there are not enough hours in the day to get done what needs to be done.
After graduating from college (and actually for a little over a year beforehand), I worked in corporate America. Once I had N, and then subsequently G, it became a little challenging in the “time department”. I was grateful to have my mom watch the boys until each of them reached 2 years of age, when we then enrolled them in daycare.
I then worked from home for 5 years after, and am now back working out of an office, which reminded me how sacred time is!
Tips For Working Moms to Save Time and Sanity
I learned some great tips for working moms to save time and to help me regain my sanity, and I can’t wait to share them with you!
CLOTHING
I was told to do this first tip way back when I was in school and struggling to get out the door in time to make the bus. Pick out your clothes AND your kids’ clothes the night before. It will save you time and frustration scrambling to get ready, I promise. I used to stand in my closet in a daze. There is no reason to! Put everything out the night before, underwear and all!
Put the kids’ clothes out too. A fun hack to do is hang a shoe organizer in each child’s closet and put an outfit in each compartment. If your child is old enough, have him or her “help” you by getting the socks, etc. to add to the pile. It works.
LUNCH/SNACKS
Prep lunches the night before. Of course, if there’s anything that could get soggy overnight in the fridge, then you can quickly put that together in the AM.
Snacks are a cinch. I make baggies of carrots and little containers of dip or dressing the night before and leave them in the fridge. For dry goods like pretzels, cheese crisps, and similar items consider making 5 bags worth on Sunday night so all you have to do is grab and go.
BEDTIME ROUTINE
Set a realistic bedtime – for you and the kiddos.
Back into the kids’ bedtime. If the boys are set to go to bed at 8 p.m., I would have them in the bath at 7 p.m. They loved their bath time (I wish they loved showering as teens as much as they did baths as toddlers.). They had an hour to bathe, play with toys, and then listen to or read a book before the clock struck 8.
From 8 p.m. until I went to bed was sacred time. It was my glass of wine, watch a show or two with hubby time. I’d then put on my PJs and hopefully stay up through a chapter or two of my book before calling it a night. Fit in a face mask once a week too – an inexpensive form of self-care that you will be grateful you did later on in life.
DINNERTIME
When I get home from work, I want to take off my shoes and relax. The last thing I want to do is slave over a stove. Thankfully my husband does most of the cooking, but I know that isn’t the norm. Crockpots, slow cookers, and the overly famous Instant Pot are here to save the day. You literally need to “set it and forget it”. Add all of the ingredients required by the recipe of your choice, set the timer, and when you come home you have a comforting and delicious meal waiting for you.
Meal prep is another way to go. A lot of my friends do meal prep on Sundays. They food shop either that morning or Saturday, purchasing all of the ingredients for a week’s worth of meals. Sunday is their day to cook and package everything. Pop the meals in the fridge or freezer and then all you’d need to do is reheat and serve.
CHORES
It amazes me how quickly the laundry piles up; the floor gets so dirty; the bathroom needs scrubbing. We used to try to do it all on a Saturday, but ended up exhausted and missing out on quality downtime with the family.
We started to delegate certain chores to certain days. It was easy to determine when to empty the garbage pails in the house, as that corresponded with the night before garbage pickup.
Laundry was, and still is, done on Mondays and Thursdays.
Bathrooms are cleaned on Tuesday evenings.
We vacuum every night – two boys and a dog! For this I recommend a lightweight cordless vacuum that you can whirl through the house with. Mopping is every other night – I love our steam mop (especially with some essential oils mixed into the water).
Dusting is usually done on Saturday mornings. Turn on music and rock out while you wipe over all surfaces.
We keep a bucket with all of our cleaning supplies in the laundry room. There also is a bucket with cleaning supplies in each bathroom. We’ve taught the boys to wipe down their sinks with Clorox wipes every morning after they brush their teeth (they do some of the time).
What are some time tips for working moms to save time you’ve learned along the way? Comment below. Sharing is caring!
Elize says
I’m a SAHM and I agree we face the same challenges. Or should I say same, same but different. But essentially planning, organising and getting help from the family in is key
Dana says
I completely agree with you, Elize. Planning, Organizing, and getting help from the family are key factors for any family, right?
Floby says
Glad to be a working mom with a great partner in life my husband who shares all.of the above tasks with me. I do crockpot recipes too and it saves my life. Haha.
Dana says
I’m so glad to hear that your husband shares in the tasks. Mine does as well and I couldn’t be more appreciative of it! Crockpots are lifesavers!
Chelsae says
I know these tips are for working moms but I think they are just as important for SAHM. Our day often flies by with everything that needs done and this would really help it go smoother.
Dana says
I agree with you that they are as important for SAHM as working moms!
Rianna Stavrides says
Totally need this today! Being a working Mom with to kids is extra challenging! I 100% agree with all of your tips.
Dana says
It is super challenging – I’m with you! I hope my tips help 🙂
Jennifer Maune says
Love these tips! Preparing everything the night before can be annoying, but it is such a life saver once morning rolls around. Great tips!
-Jennifer
https://jennifermaune.com
Audrey @ Two Pink Peonies says
These are great tips on how to save time!! I love using my crockpot- it’s a life saver.
Jade says
Great tips!! Planning ahead has definitely helped for me.
Angie Emde says
All these tips helped when I had little ones at home. Today having a routine to pick up after yourself, meal prep, laundry still helps to keep the home flowing. Agree with not the norm, my husband can’t cook but son loves to cook which is great. One less thing for me after my work shift.
Kimberlie says
I don’t know why I hadn’t considered adding a steam mop to my cleaning equation. I can see how it would be instrumental to keeping things sanitized in the bathroom and kitchen. Thank you for this tip.
Janell says
Great tips! Life is hectic and even more so with kids. I definitely pack lunches the night before and delegate chores to separate days. Of course, there is room for improvement in my dinner department and bedtime routine; I swear my kids get their second wind around that time.
Stacey says
These are some great ideas. I do many of the same things and it saves my sanity!
Amber says
I am really bad with our bedtime routine and nights end up being crazy! I need to be more consistent in that area for sure so maybe I can go to bed somewhat relaxed.
Sara says
Thank you so much for sharing these tips! Schedules can get so hectic, but preparing the night before definitely makes life flow so much better.
Supriya says
Amazing ideas to stay sane for all those working moms around. I wish I had these tips before quitting a few years back
Amy Gougler says
Yes, girl there is not enough time in the day as a mother! So much to do whether you work out of the home, at home or just take care of the kids. These tips are great for ALL mommas!
Darcey says
Thank you for sharing these tips for busy working moms. Having lunches packed ahead of time is a great idea. I’ve been doing that and it is one less thing I have to worry about in the morning.
Brittany says
As a woman who did the working mom thing, these are life savers! Good advice!
Kileen says
As a busy working mom, these are awesome tips! Love crockpot dinners, so easy and low maintenance and the family always loves them!
Kileen
cute & little
Suha Vijay says
These are very important tips for anyone. Be it be SAHM or working mom, they are equally important for dad’s as well. Thanks for sharing them
Desiree says
All of these are great! I need to try to break up the chores. That’s the only things we don’t do currently!
Shayla says
These are such practical and smart tips for working mom’s! I’ve been considering a robot vacuum and wondering how one would work in our home…might have to just go for it!