Time Management Tips for
Stay-at-Home Work-at-Home Moms 

Being a stay-at-home work-at-home mom comes with its own unique set of challenges. Balancing household responsibilities, childcare, and professional work can often leave you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to manage your time effectively.

However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can establish a productive routine and make the most of your time. In this article, let me provide you with some valuable time management tips to help you thrive in your dual roles.

Set Clear Goals and Priorities

To manage your time effectively, start by setting clear goals for both your personal and professional life. Define your priorities and identify what tasks are most important to accomplish each day. By having a clear vision of what you want to achieve, you can focus your efforts and avoid wasting time on less significant activities.

Create a Schedule

Establishing a structured schedule is crucial for stay-at-home work-at-home moms. Allocate specific time blocks for work, household chores, and quality time with your children. Having a schedule not only provides a sense of structure but also helps you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Consider using digital calendars, planners, or scheduling apps to organize your day effectively.

I prepare activities in advance for my 3-year-old daughter so she's not bored when she wakes up. This is essential for me because as you all know, keeping a toddler entertained is no easy feat. I'm lucky she's cooperative. She loves to write and paint and lately, she's been practicing typing. Buying her different kinds of coloring books, activity books, and Level 1 reading books help me a lot! I'm so proud to say that at 3, she already knows how to read CVC words and some sight words.

Despite my busy schedule, my top priority every day is making sure she learns something new. Never underestimate the knowledge a toddler can hold. She recently learned about Newton's Laws of Motion and kept including her takeaways from them during playtime.

If you have a toddler like me, teaching them how to clean up their toys by themselves can be a lifesaver. I struggled when she was just one to two years old but slowly, she learned how to put things in their proper storage bins.

Here's how my usual day goes like:

Monday to Friday

• 7 am or 7:40 am: Make coffee, make breakfast

• 8 am - 2 pm: Work with Client 1

• 2 pm - 2:30 pm: Shower time

• 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Eat my lunch, wash the dishes

• 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm: Work with Clients 2 and 3

• 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm: Rest and play with my daughter

• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Make or order enough food for dinner and possibly for breakfast and lunch the next day

• 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Household Chores

• 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Movie time, sometimes my daughter falls asleep during this time

• 10:00 pm onwards: If she fell asleep during the afternoon, this means I will have to read several bedtime stories. This is also the time when I can truly relax. I try to play games, paint, or read books if there are no other household chores needed to be done.

Note that this is just approximate times for what I do. Sometimes there are urgent tasks that need to be done for Client 1 and I can end up working till 4 or 5 pm and some things get pushed to a later time. There are also some days when I have to allot an hour or two when Clients 2 and 3 request a meeting.

Saturday to Sunday

Everyone knows not to wake me up early during the weekends. My weekday routine may seem simple but it's actually very exhausting so I try to recharge my body and mind by just resting in the morning.

Weekends are for the big chores for me. This means this is when I fold the clothes, deep clean the house, re-arrange furniture (this is a problem, I always re-arrange stuff at home), change the sheets, vacuum everywhere, etc.

This is also the time when I go out with the family, eat somewhere nice, watch the cinema, or if lucky, travel with them.

Set Boundaries

Working from home can make it challenging to separate your personal and professional life. Set clear boundaries with your family and communicate your work hours to avoid interruptions and distractions.

In my case, I have one client with a fixed schedule from 8 am to 2 pm. I only have a 10-minute break during this shift. That means that before 8 am, I should prepare my coffee already and make sure my daughter has breakfast (if it's my turn to prepare it) already. Lunch for us is usually ordered online or is a reheated dish from the night before. I do Intermittent Fasting so I only eat once it's 2:30 pm already. My other two clients have a flexible schedule since it is output-based so I do them when my daughter is busy playing or when she's asleep in the afternoon.

It is also very important to designate a dedicated workspace where you can focus on your tasks without being constantly interrupted. By establishing boundaries, you can maximize your productivity and create a conducive work environment.

Delegate and Outsource

As a stay-at-home work-at-home mom, it's important to recognize that you can't do everything alone. Delegate household tasks to your partner or older children, if applicable. Consider outsourcing certain tasks like cleaning, gardening, or meal preparation to lighten your workload. Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a smart way to manage your time efficiently.

There were also several times when I hired people from cleaning services to help me with time-consuming household chores like cleaning the balcony and the bathroom area.

Practice Effective Time Blocking

Time blocking is a powerful technique that involves assigning specific time slots for different activities. Break your day into chunks and assign each block to a specific task or category. For example, allocate focused work blocks, playtime with your children, meal preparation, and personal self-care. Stick to these time blocks as much as possible to maintain a structured routine and avoid multitasking, which can lead to decreased productivity.

Eliminate Time Wasters

Identify and eliminate time-wasting activities that do not contribute to your goals or well-being. Minimize distractions like excessive social media use, unnecessary meetings, or aimless internet browsing. Utilize tools like website blockers or productivity apps to stay focused during work hours. By consciously eliminating time wasters, you'll have more time for the things that truly matter.

Take Care of Yourself

Self-care is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Prioritize your physical and mental well-being by incorporating activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies into your daily routine. When you take care of yourself, you'll have more energy and focus to fulfill your various roles effectively.

I try to spend my free time when I get the chance by treating myself to a massage, going to the nail salon, or just spending it doing nothing.

Key Takeaway

Being a stay-at-home work-at-home mom requires effective time management skills to juggle your personal and professional responsibilities successfully. By setting clear goals, establishing a schedule, setting boundaries, and practicing time blocking, you can make the most of your time and achieve a healthy work-life balance. Remember to delegate, eliminate time wasters, and prioritize self-care. With dedication and a well-organized approach, you can thrive in your dual roles and create a fulfilling and productive lifestyle.

I want to dedicate this blog post to my wonderful daughter, Irie, who has been so patient with Mommy even when she knows she has to wait for the clock to be at 2 pm so she could get my full attention. Our days will always be filled with singing, dancing, and lots of art-making! All that mommy do is for you! Thank you, anak!