Productivity Tips for Busy Moms in 2024
As a busy mom I know how challenging it can be to manage your time effectively. Between work, family responsibilities, and personal obligations, it can be difficult to stay on top of everything. And let’s not forget about self-care! However, there are some productivity tips that have worked great for me, and think can help other busy moms make the most of their time and achieve their goals.
Whether you are a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, or somewhere in between, these busy mom productivity hacks are designed to help you manage your time more efficiently and reduce stress in your daily life.
Just take note though, you don’t need to implement all of these mom-friendly productivity tools and tips. We are all different, so choose the ones that resonate with you.
Productivity Tips for Busy Moms
Set Your Routine
It’s funny how some days you can feel so busy yet feel like you accomplished nothing. This is where I find establishing routines can help to streamline your day and increase productivity.
For me, I’m a morning person, thankfully as my youngest gets up at 5am each morning! So, I find starting the day off on the right foot is crucial. I love having my morning routine to set me up for the day. For me, it is making time for my cup of tea and getting all the little chores out the way, like making the beds and putting the laundry in the washing machine. I even use it to plan out dinner.
Maybe you’re a morning person like me or maybe you feel more productive in the evenings when your kids are asleep, the key here is to find a routine that works for you!
Prioritize
The truth is, there will always be something that needs to be done. But that doesn't mean you need to do it all that day.
My productivity hack is to use tools like to-do lists or productivity apps to create a list of all the tasks I want done. I need to write them down, so I don’t mull over them.
Then I prioritize them and pick my top 3 that need to be accomplished that day. This helps me to focus on the most important tasks first and avoid wasting time on less important ones. Some days I might get way more done than just the top 3. Other days I might just choose to do the top 3 and then take some time out for me.
Delegate
Delegating is one of my most favorite 2024 productivity trends for mothers! I’ll admit, it can be hard to let go of certain tasks, but there are plenty that do not bring me joy and I am very happy to delegate or outsource when I can.
Delegating tasks can be as simple as asking your parents to pick the kids up from school or teaching your child a new skill so they can do a task themselves rather than you doing it for them.
Or if your budget allows it, you may want to outsource tasks to professionals, such as a housecleaner or a meal delivery service. Depending on if you are also trying to balance work and being a mom, you could potentially hire a virtual assistant to take care of work tasks, freeing up your time for family.
Decluttering Your Space
A way to reduce your workload, is to declutter your space. If there are less clothes to wash, toys to pack away, surfaces to clean, and so on it can really help to shave off hours of time in maintaining your home.
You can use tools like the KonMari method, which involves sorting through items by category and only keeping items that ‘spark joy’.
You don’t have to throw everything out though, decluttering can be as simple as placing half your child’s toys into a storage tub and then rotating them every few weeks. Not only does it make it easier to maintain your space, but the toys then feel like new again, so it is a win for your child too.
With the kids’ clothes, I will sort through them each season. If it won’t fit next season I will donate them straight away, for those that will fit I put them in storage container, so they aren’t adding to the pile of clothing clutter when I open the drawers.
Use A Family Calendar
Another way to involve the family in productivity is to create a family calendar and schedule. This can help keep everyone on track and ensure that important events and appointments are not forgotten. Consider using a shared digital calendar or a physical wall calendar that everyone can access and update. Encourage family members to add their own events and commitments to the calendar to ensure that everyone is aware of each other's schedules.
Embrace Technology
It’s 2024 and smart home technology has come a long way in recent years! And I think this is something busy moms can take easily advantage of to automate household tasks and save their valuable time for more important things.
Smart thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature based on your family's schedule, while smart lighting systems can turn lights on and off based on motion detection. Smart appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can be programmed to run during off-peak hours, and let’s not forget robotic vacuum cleaners can keep floors clean without any effort on your part.
Even ordering your groceries online can save you a ton of time, money, and stress versus heading to the shops with kids in tow.
Smartwatches are also another great tool that can help you stay on top of your schedule and receive notifications without having to constantly check your phone. Bluetooth trackers can help you keep track of your keys, wallet, and other important items, while smart locks can allow you to remotely lock and unlock your doors. There are also plenty of productivity apps available that can help you manage your to-do list, track your time, and stay focused.
By integrating technology into your daily routines, you can save time, stay organized, and keep your families entertained and educated.
