Being a working mom is like having two full-time jobs. Between meetings, school drop-offs, meal prep, and household chores, it can feel like there’s never enough time in the day. But what if you could reclaim some of those precious hours? The key is to work smarter, not harder. Here are some of the best time-saving hacks every working mom needs to know to help you balance work, family, and self-care without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Plan Your Week in Advance

Once-a-week planning is a game-changer. Take 30 minutes at the start of each week to map out your schedule, meals, and priorities. A well-planned week eliminates last-minute scrambles and ensures you’re focusing on what truly matters. Use a planner or digital calendar to organize your tasks and set reminders for important deadlines and events.

Saturday is the weekly planning day for my family of four: we have a family meeting to review everyone’s activities for the week, plan our meals, and create a grocery list. My husband and I then decide our “taxi” responsibilities to get the kids where they need to go, and from there I can map out the remainder of my weekly tasks.

2. Automate and Batch Tasks

Stop multitasking and start batching! Instead of switching between different tasks all day, group similar tasks together. Respond to emails at designated times, meal prep for the entire week in one session, and schedule errands on the same day. Additionally, automate recurring payments, grocery deliveries, and subscriptions to free up mental space and time.

3. Leverage Technology for Efficiency

There are countless apps designed to make life easier for working moms. Use grocery delivery services like Instacart or Amazon Fresh, meal-planning apps like Mealime and AnyList (my new favorite!), and scheduling apps like Google Calendar or Todoist. Tools like voice-to-text for emails and messages, or even smart home devices for reminders, can save you valuable minutes every day.

4. Create a Family Command Center

This one has been a game-changer for me. A centralized hub for schedules, meal plans, to-do lists, and important notes can help keep the whole family on track. A simple whiteboard (what I use) or a digital family planner (like Skylight) can prevent the constant "What’s for dinner?" or "Where do I need to be?" questions and improve overall household efficiency.

5. Simplify Meal Prep and Cooking

Meal prepping doesn’t mean spending hours in the kitchen. Opt for simple, nutritious meals with minimal ingredients. Use slow cookers (or an Instapot!), air fryers, and one-pan recipes to cut down cooking time. Consider theme nights (Taco Tuesday, Pasta Wednesday) to make planning easier. Pre-chop veggies and batch-cook proteins to make assembling meals a breeze.

6. Outsource and Delegate

You don’t have to do it all. Delegate age-appropriate chores to your kids, split household responsibilities with your partner, and don’t hesitate to hire help if possible. Whether it’s hiring a house cleaner once a month, using a laundry service, or getting grocery delivery, outsourcing can significantly lighten your load. See this blog post for more on delegating!

7. Master the Art of Saying No

Your time is valuable, and overcommitting can leave you feeling drained. Practice setting boundaries and saying no to activities that don’t align with your priorities. It’s okay to decline an invitation or step back from obligations that don’t serve your family’s needs. Check out this blog for simple strategies for saying no with confidence.

8. Establish Routines for Efficiency

Morning and evening routines can streamline your day. A consistent morning routine that includes prepping school bags, packing lunches, and setting out clothes the night before can make mornings smoother. Likewise, an evening wind-down routine helps ensure everyone gets to bed on time, making the next day more manageable.

9. Keep a Running Shopping List

Save yourself unnecessary trips to the store by keeping a digital or physical shopping list that everyone in the house can add to as needed. Apps like AnyList (again, my fave!) or shared Google Keep notes make it easy to track what’s running low and ensure you get everything in one trip.

10. Use the 2-Minute Rule

If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. Whether it’s putting dishes in the dishwasher, responding to a quick email, or sorting mail, tackling small tasks right away prevents them from piling up and taking over your day.

11. Set Boundaries for Work and Family Time

Remote work and flexible schedules can blur the lines between work and home life. Set clear boundaries by designating work hours and sticking to them (if you get your work email or messages on your mobile phone, turn off your notifications!) Communicate these boundaries with your family and colleagues to minimize interruptions and ensure you’re fully present in both roles.

12. Embrace Time Blocks

Time blocking helps you focus on one thing at a time, reducing distractions and increasing productivity. Dedicate specific time slots for work, family time, self-care, and personal projects and mark your calendar. Even short 25-minute focused sessions (Pomodoro technique)—set a timer!—can help you accomplish more in less time.

13. Keep a “Go Bag” Ready

A pre-packed essentials bag with snacks, diapers, wipes, an extra set of clothes for younger kids, and basic first aid supplies can save time and stress when you’re on the go. This is especially handy for busy mornings or last-minute outings.

14. Implement a “Reset” Habit

A 10-minute nightly reset—where the family tidies up, puts things back in place, and preps for the next day—can prevent clutter and chaos from piling up. This small habit can make a significant difference in keeping your home and mind organized.

15. Prioritize Self-Care Without Guilt

Taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Schedule time for activities that recharge you, whether it’s a workout, meditation, reading, or a short coffee break alone. The more you care for yourself, the better you can manage your time and energy. One thing I do is dedicate Monday nights after dinner for “mom time”—I get to be alone with no responsibilities or interruptions, to do whatever I want to do, like read, watch TV, take a bath, journal, or whatever. It’s amazing to be able to unplug after the first day of the work week!

Final Thoughts

Being a working mom comes with its fair share of challenges, but with the right strategies, you can make life easier and more efficient. Start by implementing one or two of these time-saving hacks and gradually add more as you find what works best for your lifestyle. Remember, time is your most valuable resource—use it wisely, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.

Technologies mentioned in this post:

Amazon Fresh - shopping

AnyList - lists and meal planning

Google Calendar - scheduling

Google Keep - lists and notes

Instacart - shopping

Mealime - meal planning

Skylight - family command center

Todoist - lists and organization