Time-Saving Hacks for the Busy Working Mom

Working any type of job ~ either as an employee or as an entrepreneur has it's challenges. Now add that on top of being a mom, or even better yet, a SINGLE mom. Anyone who has been there knows, motherhood is one of the greatest yet by far most demanding labor of loves there is! And as a single mom, the act of balancing it all {while maintaining your sanity} is no easy task. When you are responsible for being a one-woman wonder it can be easy to get discouraged. Especially when things get busy with schedules, routines and the chaos of everyday life.

Now this is a topic very near and dear to my heart! I have been a single mom to 3 kids for the past 4 years. During this time I also went to college to get my Bachelors, worked as a firefighter/EMT for a fire department and in the emergency room. And was the sole financial provider and caregiver. It can get overwhelming to say the least! Especially if you are new on your single parenting journey. My point is, I get exactly how hectic it can get. Here are some of my TOP TIME-SAVING HACKS that helped me to set myself and family up for success. Thrive as a busy, working mom. And prioritize motherhood while balancing the hustle and chaos of the day-to-day.

These time-saving tips will make your life as a working, single mom just a little bit easier.

PLAN YOUR MEALS IN ADVANCE

Evenings are pretty busy in my household. After working a long day, picking up kids, getting through homework and the bedtime routine~ the last thing I want to stress is what we're having for dinner. I plan ahead during the weekend what our meals will look like for the upcoming week. This way I know I have the groceries and ingredients I need and am not scrambling at the last minute. KEEP IT SIMPLE. I save my more elaborate and time-consuming recipes for the weekends when I have more time to commit. During the week its all about pastas, tacos, insta-pot meals. There are SO MANY healthy and delicious options out there to keep everyone happy without adding to your stress load. And don't think you have to have a plan for every single night~ leave space for leftovers or the occasional treat like pizza night.

PUT YOUR CALENDER TO WORK

I am a big paper planner gal and I love writing everything out. And I highly recommend having something to help you keep track ~ a planner, your phone calendar, a scheduling app, whatever works best for you. I have multiple things to keep track of...school schedules and events, sports and extracurriculars, meetings, appointments, things for work, my own activities. It gets to be a lot so I have my system for helping me to keep everything organized and straight. If it's important it should be on your calendar! Plus this helps you to create a plan to tackle it all without the added stress of overlooking anything.

USE THE EVENINGS TO PREPARE FOR THE MORNINGS

Mornings in my house get wild. Everyone is tired, the kids may or may not be cooperative. Making sure everyone is prepared and set up for success in the day is a task and a half. I take some time each evening, once everyone is settled, to reset and get everything together for the following day. The last thing I need is to be scrambling in the morning and starting a long day in turmoil! Lunches get packed, clothes get laid out. Quick and easy breakfasts are ready to grab and go. Backpacks are by the door. Having a nightly routine makes for easier mornings. Plus a calm start for the day makes for a great foundation.

USE YOUR TIME WISELY & PRIORITIZE

Blocking out times for things and having specific days for tasks helps me so much! For instance, I know Saturdays we usually commit to doing something fun and spending quality time together. Sundays are for laundry, cleaning house, grocery shopping, meal planning, etc. If your children are in school and your work schedule allows for it, this time can also be valuable. I use the school days for my own appointments, working out and personal tasks. I allocate time slots on my calendar for all aspects of my life ~ work, kids/family and the much-needed alone time. Seeing everything laid out helps me to prioritize effectively and stay true to my values. When faced with requests that don’t align with my priorities, I can confidently decline without feeling guilty and understand the opportunity cost if I choose to change my schedule. Remember, IT'S OK TO SAY NO.

OUTSOURCE WHAT YOU ARE ABLE TO & CAN AFFORD

It is unrealistic to think you can do it all by yourself, perfectly, all the time. There is no shame in making things a little easier on yourself if you have the means. Maybe this is the occasional house cleaner. Or joining a carpool with other parents for school drop offs, picks ups, sports practices, activities, etc. This way you are not overwhelmed with it all, especially if you have multiple kids and things going on at the same time.

HARNESS THE POWER OF THE EARLY MORNING

Now I am not a morning person, so this one took me some time. But waking up early can allow you to get a lot of tasks done before your kids even wake up. This has become some of my most productive time and is typically free from virtually all interruption and distraction, as most of the world is still asleep. I start off feeling so accomplished and it sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. It can also help with the mom guilt because you aren't taking time away from your kids to get things done. I find that I end up with more time with them later on.

TAKE BREAKS

It is so important to prioritize rest as a single mom. Taking breaks keeps you from getting burnt out and can actually make you more creative and productive by clearing your mind. Take some time to reset and do something that relaxes you or brings you joy. It's OK to take some time for yourself ~ in fact, it helps you to be a happier and healthier person which will overflow into you being the best mom you can be. Go for a walk, exercise, read a book, take a hot bath. You deserve the care and attentiveness that you show to everyone else around you so don't forget to show up for yourself too!

EMPOWER YOUR KIDS TO BE INDEPENDENT

Teach your kids valuable skills like laundry, cooking, helping with household duties. Not only will this help take some of the burden off of you, but it helps to set your children up for success when they are on their own in the future. Start at a developmentally-appropriate level and build from their as your kids get older. You can also make it a way to spend time together. Add a fun twist or a little competition to the household cleaning routine to teach your kids the value of working together and taking pride in what you have. Nobody says work can't be fun.

PRACTICE HABIT STACKING

This hack can help working moms prioritize self care and personal growth, which will lead to increased productivity, better mental health, and more fulfilling lives. Here are some examples of habit stacking: walking on a treadmill while having a meeting; listening to a podcast while cooking; doing a five-minute stretch while your coffee brews. In other words, master the art of multi-tasking my dear. Implementing and practicing healthy habits is a great example for your kids and will help keep your life running smoothly.

UTILIZE YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM

It truly takes a village to raise happy and healthy kids. Having family, close friends or people you trust to give you a boost, extra support or just a much needed smile or hug is HUGE! Especially as a single mom. Identify your tribe and don't be afraid to reach out if you need it. We all need support from time-to-time.

No matter where you are in your single parenting journey, it is important to remember to embrace the process. You will still have hectic and crazy moments for sure, but these time-saving hacks will help you to thrive as a busy, working mom and hopefully help to make things a little easier and less overwhelming.