Being a working mom is no easy feat. You’re constantly juggling a million different things, and finding time to take care of yourself can be challenging. However, implementing a few simple, time-saving tips can make your life easier.
Check out these 10 time-saving tips that all busy moms should know.
Tip #1: Get Organized
A working mom’s schedule can be pretty hectic. Several things are always on your plate, from laundry to fixing health packed-to-go lunches. This can cause feelings of overwhelm and stressed, wasting a ton of your time and energy in the process.
One of the best ways to avoid experiencing this situation is to get organized. Come up with a daily or weekly schedule. Try to stick to this routine as much as possible. This will help you stay on top of everything that needs to get done.
Tip #2: Delegate Tasks
Mothers are often given multiple roles in the family. Not only are they the caregiver, but they’re usually also the nurturer, teachers, financial planners, and activity coordinators. Unfortunately, these are all tasks for multiple people—so don’t expect yourself to do everything alone.
Delegate responsibilities when possible to avoid burnout. Ask your spouse or partner to pitch in with childcare or household chores. Give them age-appropriate tasks to help out around the house if you have older kids.
Tip #3: Simplify Your Wardrobe
Having a closet full of clothes you never wear wastes time and space. Consider purging your closet once every few months. Get rid of clothes that no longer fit or outfits you’ve never worn. Donate them to a local thrift store or charity. You can even make a little extra income by selling them online or at a yard sale.
Removing unnecessary items from your wardrobe frees you up to choose new styles that upgrade your look. It’s also a great way to simplify your getting-ready routine and make finding what you’re looking for easier.
Tip #4: Meal Prep
We have good news for you if you often skip eating healthy because you think you’re too “busy” to prepare a nutritious meal. Preparing meals for a few days or weeks can save you time and resources.
Batch cook on the weekends or take advantage of crockpot meals that can be prepared in advance. This way, you and your family will always have something healthy and delicious to eat without you having to spend hours in the kitchen every day.
Tip #5: Quality Over Quantity
Appliances and furniture at home can break and deteriorate over time. Mothers often find replacements for broken appliances and furniture around the house. But driving back and forth from home to department stores or furniture stores can be time-consuming.
When choosing appliances, decorations, furniture, and other household items, focus on quality over quantity.
It’s better to have a small number of high-quality items than a ton of cheap stuff that falls apart quickly. When shopping for clothes, toys, or home goods, focus on quality over quantity. This will save you money and time in the long run since you won’t need to replace things as often.
Tip #6: Have a Cleaning Schedule
A messy house is chaotic and stressful and takes up a lot of time to clean. However, tackling multiple cleaning tasks at once can feel overwhelming. This is why a cleaning schedule can help streamline the process and save you a lot of time in the long run.
Once you have a cleaning schedule, do your best to stick to the time you’ve allocated to each task. Don’t wait for your home to get overwhelmingly messy before cleaning again. Instead, dedicate at least 15 minutes daily to tidying up, and do a deep clean once a week to help keep things under control.
Tip #7: Limit Screentime
Too much screen time can be detrimental for both kids and adults alike. Set limits on how much time your family spends in front of screens each day, and stick to it as much as possible. This will help free up some time for other activities like reading, playing outside, or spending time together as a family unit.
Tip #8: Schedule Some “Me” Time
It’s important to schedule some “me” time into your busy schedule, even if it’s just 15 minutes here or there. You can use this time to do whatever you want—take a long bath, read your favorite book, go for a walk, or meditate in silence. Do things that bring you joy or help you relax.
If you think you have too much on your plate to find any space for “me” time, consider tip #2 and delegate. Most mothers find it challenging to delegate responsibilities because they don’t know who to ask for help. But in some cases, it’s also because they feel guilty.
Remember that you’re an individual with interests and curiosities like everyone else. A healthy person sets aside time to pursue these interests, as it can help them feel happier and more fulfilled.
Tip #9: Take Advantage of Technology
Technology can be both a blessing and a curse, but when used correctly, it can be an incredible time saver. For instance, automating specific tasks like online bill pay or grocery delivery can save you hours each week. Utilize apps and online tools whenever possible to make your life easier.
Tip #10: Avoid Procrastination
One of the worst things you can do if you’re short on time is procrastinate. If something needs to be done, do it now rather than putting it off until later.
The Bottom Line
By following these time-saving tips, busy moms everywhere can save themselves some valuable time each day. Implementing even one or two of these suggestions can help streamline your daily routine and give you extra free time. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!