I’ve been there. Struggling to juggle work deadlines and homeschooling supplies. Feeling overwhelmed with chores at home – constantly playing catch-up.
If that’s where you’re at now, you’re not alone. Learning time management for moms is almost as tricky as teaching phonics.
In fact, most of us have struggled to thrive in a routine. I know I did. -still do at times!
Let me share some strategies and tips I implemented that have helped me.
These basics help me stay on track. They can help you too.
15 Ways to Master Time Management for Moms
You’re a homeschool mom. Let’s be real. You have more happening in one space than most other parents.
The key to a manageable day is focusing on one area of your life at a time while you’re planning.
You’ve got to build a solid foundation.
Build a Foundation for Your Routine
Successfully planning means making planning a priority. You need a routine to lean on that will help you stay on track.
1. Schedule Time to Schedule
Just like teachers and business managers need planning time, you need some at home.
Dedicate a specific time on your calendar to “homeschool mom schedule planning.”
Suddenly you’re proactive rather than reactive.
Know what you’re going to teach for the coming week
You eliminate the hunt for the freaking scissors again, or scrambling for YouTube read-alouds, and the last-minute realization you’re out of printer paper for this week’s language arts review.
Not only that, but you’ll get a feel for the upcoming tasks.
You know your kids better than anyone. You can break challenging tasks into manageable chunks, preventing them—and you—from getting overwhelmed.
Sideline less crucial activities based on external factors like field trips, family visits, and doctor visits.
Pro Tip: Speaking of field trips, ensure you schedule in fun and frivolity.
2. Establish Your Priorities
I’ve used monday.com in the past and there were definitely aspects of it that I found helpful! If you’re a bit type A, like me, and like to have your calendar with you on-the-go, you might love it. I use the free plan and find it more than sufficient for my needs.
It might be a bit overwhelming at first, but if you start looking at your life like a project you need to manage, it definitely gets a bit more streamlined.
Here’s a snapshot from my monday.com database.
Or it could be a simple daily planner you keep next to your homeschool space.
That way, you’re less likely to exhaust yourself on tasks that don’t significantly impact your goals or well-being.
Here are a few favorites from around the web:
- Erin Condren – She makes a homeschool planner, but I’ve always grabbed the undated teacher planner at Target in July. Easy-peasy.
- Plum Paper – I’ve never splurged, but you can design it entirely to fit your needs. 👀
- MyStudyLife – My 2nd grader loved having a list on the iPad she could check off. This year I got her a real academic planner to start learning how to manage tasks.
Pro Tip: A combination of digital and physical planning might be the ultimate secret to time management for moms. Something you physically cross off and one you can take with you wherever you go.
3. Set Goals
Know both your long-term and short-term goals for the year for effective homeschool goal setting strategies.
Hopefully it’s something other than “get to the next grade.”
Both short and long-term goals are vital for sustained sanity and progress.
Don’t you hate those Mondays when the kids are looking at you, and you’re thinking,
“Ok, let’s learn something. Not sure what, but let’s learn something.”
We’ve all had them.
You’ve probably figured it out by now, but knowing your daily homeschool goals before the week starts is a massive anxiety-reliever.
Each day should have an ideal, “homeschool mom daily schedule” that is blocked out to ensure you can balance your other responsibilities.
When you’re feeling stressed, look over your routine to see where you got off course or need to adjust.
Not sure where to start planning? Use this goals template to jumpstart your brainstorming.
—Yearly Goals
- Subject-wise objectives (e.g., Math, Science, Language Arts)
- Social and developmental goals
- Extracurricular activities and skills development
—Monthly Focus
- Main themes or topics for each month
- Key projects or field trips planned
—Weekly Breakdown
- Specific learning outcomes for each week
- Resources and materials needed
- Assessment methods (quizzes, projects, etc.)
—Daily Schedule
- Time-blocked schedule for each day
- Flex time for spontaneous learning
—Progress Tracking
- Space for weekly reflections on what worked and what didn’t
- Adjustments for the upcoming week or month
—Notes Section
- Space for additional notes, reminders, or inspirational quotes
Now that you have your foundation, you can start to build out your ideal day.
Pro Tip: Schedule a few minutes at the end of the day to rank how well your day flowed.
Create a Daily Rhythm
With your boundaries in place, look at a couple of key areas that often give homeschool moms a challenge.
4. Start Strong
You thought I would lead with “Do the tough subjects first.” But no, you need to start with healthy habits. For you and for them.
Begin the day with intention, whether it’s through meditation, exercise, or simply a calm breakfast.
Set a positive tone for the rest of the day and make managing your time as a homeschool mom easier.
Not only that, but help your kids foster a sense of predictability that can lead to far less arguing when it’s time to get to work.
Pro Tip: Schedule tasks and subjects in the same order at the same time each day.
5. Teach Multiple Students When Possible
Gift yourself the freedom of combining lessons for subjects or topics that can cover the entire family.
One of the most effective homeschooling techniques are collaborative projects.
Collaborative projects like art activities and unit studies nurture sibling relationships. You teach them cooperation, patience, and shared responsibility.
For example, you might have older siblings read to younger siblings. The older ones are practicing their read-aloud skills while the younger ones are soaking up information.
You can choose art projects and adjust the lesson for each age and ability. Or try out a bigger project like a diorama or large multi-media collage.
Assign each sibling a part of the project based on their age and ability.
Obviously, that won’t work for all the subjects but utilize group instruction wherever possible.
Or, try a unit study approach, covering multiple subjects at once.
Pro Tip: Create a list of activities for early finishers so you can focus on supporting whoever needs it most.
6. Embrace Lists – Lots of Lists
It doesn’t have to be super complicated.
Scheduling for homeschool moms usually starts with lists.
Checklists might be your new best friend. A simple list can provide a clear direction for the day and ensure tasks are not forgotten and priorities are addressed.
Use lists to reduce mental load, ensuring tasks are tackled efficiently without the anxiety of forgetting something.
Your overtaxed brain says, “Thank you.”
Pick the format that fits your personality best.
Digital tools offer convenience and features like reminders. On the other hand, traditional paper lists provide tangibility and the satisfaction of physically checking off tasks.
Pro Tip: A simple list they can check off can be a powerful motivator for many kids.
7. Set Subject Time Limits
Take a lesson from experienced teachers. Set time limits for each subject rather than working until your lesson is finished.
You ensure the learning remains engaging and prevents fatigue or dwindling attention spans.
Time limits also ensure that no subject dominates the day, allowing for a balanced and comprehensive educational experience.
Work that isn’t finished might become independent work later in the day depending on their age. Consider how long you’re spending on schoolwork and then decide if another 20 or 30 minutes seems age appropriate?
Pro Tip: Schedule study-hall-time for independent work to ensure it’s completed.
8. Teach Time Management
What if the best time saving tips for moms is actually all about teaching time management to our kids?
Why not get your kids involved in the solution? They’re not too young and it won’t be a burden.
Teach kids to manage their time. You empower them, fostering independence and responsibility toward their learning and chores.
Not to mention, you aid them in their current academic pursuits and instill vital life skills for their future.
Incorporate fun activities like time-based games or challenges to make the concept of time engaging and easier to grasp.
Pro Tip: Snag them an age-appropriate planner starting in elementary school.
Use Tools and Techniques for Efficiency
Finding the tools that work for you is one of the best time saving tips for moms. That might mean an open-and-go curriculum or establishing time limits and designating space.
9. Use a Timer
Timers aren’t just for cooking and time-outs. They can be employed for play, chores, or even downtime to instill discipline and structure.
Know when to use a timer, such as during intensive tasks or when a strict finish time is necessary.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to overcomplicate it. Your phone or a simple timer does the trick.
10. Get Organized
Dedicate some space. Even if it’s just a cart.
An organized physical space boosts productivity by reducing distractions and time spent looking for resources.
Streamline digital resources, use cloud storage, and have a consistent file naming system to save time and reduce stress.
Regularly audit and declutter your spaces, both physical and digital, to maintain efficiency and mental clarity.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a bookshelf or room, use a cart to stay organized.
11. Treat Homeschooling Like a Job
Just as with a formal job, it’s essential to have start and end times. You ensure balance and prevent homeschooling from overtaking family life.
Homeschooling, like any job, requires dedication, professionalism, and consistency to be effective and productive.
Recognize the value and significance of your role as homeschooling parent to drive your motivation and purpose.
Pro Tip: Block schedule your day so your attention isn’t divided. Sometimes my Google calendar looks like a crayon box threw up on it, but I can see at a glance where my attention needs to be next.
Simplify and Delegate
12. Simplify for Each Season
Seasons or life circumstances (like pregnancies, illnesses, or even vacations) may require adjustments to the homeschooling routines.
In demanding times, focus on core subjects or adopt condensed lesson plans to keep the learning momentum without overwhelming your family.
Recognize that some periods are more about survival than perfection and you alleviate unnecessary pressures.
Pro Tip: Master time management for moms by taking advantage of seasonal themes to incorporate holiday activities.
13. Delegate Whenever Possible
Teach kids to help with chores. You not only lighten the load but you impart responsibility and valuable life skills.
For subjects beyond your expertise or for tasks like deep cleaning, seek outside help whenever possible.
Encourage a culture where family members support one another to enhance unity and efficiency.
Beyond chores at home, there are multiple ways you can delegate or outsource some of your responsibilities. Here are a few:
- Use a high-quality online program to teach a subject – we LOVE Beast Academy math.
- Team up with a local co-op for homeschooling support.
- Enroll the kids in enrichment programs at the state park or community center.
- Find family projects for multiple age groups.
- Consider an online course for some of the electives, like the online art lessons we offer.
Pro Tip: Don’t feel pressured to build a curriculum from scratch. Yes. You are a fantastic homeschool parent even if you invest in an open-and-go curriclum.
Prioritize Breaks, Meals, and Self-Care
It’s easy to focus on academics and housework, but you need to balance out your day. Taking care of yourself is one of the best tips on time management for moms.
14. Take Breaks
Although our first instinct is to focus on planning and lists, one of the best time management for moms strategies is actually all about slowing down.Regular breaks refresh the mind, improve concentration, and increase overall productivity.
Include activities like a short walk, deep breathing exercises, or even a five-minute craft that can effectively rejuvenate energy.
Intermittent breaks prevent burnout and promote a healthier learning and working environment. This is especially true if you are homeschooling and working full-time like I do.
Pro Tip: Schedule and stick to a daily recess time to ensure there is active outside time.
15. Create a Meal Plan
A well-thought-out meal plan reduces daily decision fatigue, saves money, and ensures a balanced diet. I use the weekly email from Fed and Fit as a base for meal planning and grocery shopping. I don’t think I’ve ever tried one of her meals and not thought, “Wow, that was delicious!”
But you don’t need to start from scratch each week. Have a repertoire of quick-to-make yet nutritious meals—a lifesaver on hectic days.
Prepare meals in bulk or batch cook to free up time during the week. That same website has a list of cook once, eat twice meals too. It’s helped me to reconsider my cooking for the week. Now if I’m browning some meat or cooking some chicken, I’ll make a double batch and save the other half for a second meal. Cutting my meal prep in half.
Pro Tip: Set up some base menus and reuse them a month or two apart.
Time Management for Moms: Getting It All Done
Master your schedule and juggle your tasks becomes substantially easier when you set a foundation, have intention, and check in routinely to make adjustments.
You’ve got this!
Ready to get your calendar under control? I’ve got you! Check out the meal planning pdf.
Related reading:
- How to Make a Weekly Meal Plan for Busy Moms
- Master Your Kitchen Space: The Ultimate Kitchen Inventory List
- Organize Your Home in 8 Easy Steps
