Searching for ways to take control of your day, get more done, and still have time for yourself? If balancing work, family, and self-care feels impossible, you’re in the right place!
Today, I’m sharing how working moms can take the lead with time blocking—the strategy that helped me balance my IT career, health coaching practice, and raise three kids.
If you are ready to unlock the potential of time blocking, take charge of your day like a true pro, and stay true to what’s most important to you, dive into the empowering world of time blocking and discover how it can revolutionize your life management for maximum efficiency! This technique will make you feel in control and confident.
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What is Time Blocking, and why is it Perfect for Working Moms?
Color your day with time-blocking
Time blocking is a time management technique in which you divide your day into specific blocks of time, each dedicated to a particular task or activity. It is a powerful technique that can also help prevent burnout. By dividing your day into dedicated blocks for specific tasks, you increase productivity and reduce the constant mental juggling that leads to stress and burnout.
When I first started time blocking, I needed clarification. How could blocking off time for just one thing help me get more done? But once I tried it, I quickly realized the magic of this method. Suddenly, my work felt more focused, my time with my kids more intentional, and I even had energy left at the end of the day.
It wasn’t about squeezing more into my schedule but making smarter decisions with my time. Work Smart, Play Hard is such a powerful concept that I love. Time blocking feels like creating a personalized plan for your day. Instead of a to-do list, I assign tasks and activities to dedicated time slots.
It’s about being proactive rather than reactive with your time. The benefits for working moms are immense, from increased productivity to a better work-life balance.
As a mom of three, time blocking helps me focus on one thing at a time: prepping healthy meals, working with clients, or spending quality time with my kids.
If you want to improve your life and productivity as a parent further, explore the full article on time block like a pro. I break down actionable steps to perfect this time management strategy.
How Time Blocking Saved My Sanity + Warm-Up: Preparing for Success
Time blocking saved my sanity
Before we dive into time blocking, I want to share my story. My days were a hectic mess, literally. I would rush from work meetings to handling customers to team meetings, my kids’ school activities, after-school programs, and household chores. By the end of the day, I hadn’t accomplished anything. The constant juggling left me overwhelmed and exhausted for years. It was even worse after the divorce.
But then, I took a step back and asked myself what was working and what wasn’t. That’s when everything started to change. I went from living on autopilot to taking full control of my days by dividing them into blocks: mornings for focused work, afternoons for family time, and evenings for relaxation.
Time blocking became my secret weapon not only for managing my responsibilities but also for recovering from burnout. It gave me control over my day, breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable pieces.
This strategy can help you heal emotionally and mentally from the chaos of burnout.
Escape the chaos and heal burnout
So, the first step is to be proactive and evaluate your current routine. Take charge of your time and make it work for you.
What’s working?
What isn’t?
I like to use Sunday evenings to plan my week. I examine my work commitments, the kids’ schedules, and self-care needs. Remember, an excellent warm-up sets the tone for the entire game!
The second step is to identify essential tasks. Start by blocking out non-negotiables:
Work hours
School drop-offs and pick-ups
Meal times
Sleep (yes, schedule it!)
As a health coach, I can’t stress enough how important it is to block time for sleep and meals. These are the foundation of your energy and health. My family has three homemade meals for most days (I need to make them), and I tend to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep. I create my blocks before and after school. During working hours, I have my scrum master, thanks to God, to manage my 8 hours.
5 Time-Blocking Strategies to Prevent Burnout for Working Moms
Here are five strategies to help you find blocks of time with little kids at home, adapted from my own experience:
Start Small with Short Time Blocks
Start small with short time blocks! Get work done while your kids play nearby
If your kids are young and not in school yet, start with short 30-minute time blocks. Schedule them around your child’s routine—right after playtime or naps are perfect times to squeeze in focused work. Don’t expect long stretches of uninterrupted time, but make the most of these small blocks. I often use a timer and tell my kids, “This is playtime for you while mom works for 30 minutes!”
Incorporate Playtime into Your Schedule
Incorporate playtime into your schedule! Balance work and family by making time for outdoor fun
Scheduling focused time with your kids can help them feel more secure, making them more likely to give you some quiet work time later. For example, after an hour at the park, I’ll block off 30 minutes for independent play for my kids while I focus on work.
We often consider work and life separate, but they’re deeply connected, just like this adorable yin-yang crochet heart from Little Crochet Farm.
Work fuels your ambitions, and life fuels your joy. Finding harmony between them isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about balance.
Use quiet moments for focused deep work during nap time
If your kids still nap, use that time for high-focus work. It’s tempting to relax, but nap time is prime time to knock out tasks that require concentration. I struggled to find time for deep work, but my productivity changed once I dedicated nap time to focused tasks.
Wake Up Early or Stay Up Late
Time block for focus
Depending on whether you’re a morning person or night owl, block out 30-60 minutes for yourself before the kids wake up or after they go to bed. Late at night is when I get my most creative work done or handle tasks that require my full attention, such as when kids are asleep.
Involve Your Kids in Household Chores
Make family time productive
Get your kids involved in helping around the house. I create time blocks for family chores like laundry or tidying up the kitchen, which turns work into family time. It’s a win-win: I’m not doing it alone; they learn valuable skills.
The Holistic Benefits of Time Blocking: Mind, Body, and Soul
Many moms fumble here, forgetting to schedule time for themselves, which is crucial in preventing burnout. Incorporating a holistic approach into your time-blocking routine allows you to prioritize self-care and avoid burnout.
Here’s how you can incorporate a holistic approach into your time-blocking routine:
Mind
Journal your thoughts for a clear mind
Use time blocks to declutter your mind. I start each day with a brain dump—writing down all the tasks and thoughts on paper to see what needs attention for ten minutes every morning, dramatically improving my focus.
Body
Schedule time for movement
Schedule blocks of time for movement and nourishment. I block off 20 minutes each afternoon to walk or stretch outside, which helps keep my energy and vitamin D levels up. I learned this the hard way when I was suffering from low vitamin D levels; read the full story here.
I also include a block for Sunday meal prep to prepare healthy weekly meals. This way, I’m fueling my body and staying active without feeling overwhelmed.
Soul
Holistic Health Coach Tip:
Don’t just block time for what keeps you functioning. Block time for what keeps you alive.
And if there’s one block you shouldn’t skip? It’s lunch.
That’s why I created Lunch That Loves You Back. A printable wellness ritual that turns your most overlooked hour into the one that saves you.
Use time blocks to reconnect with yourself. Whether it’s a few minutes of meditation, reading, or journaling, create a block each day for something your soul needs. For me, that’s 20-30 minutes of quiet time in the morning before the kids wake up. It helps me set a positive tone for the day ahead and the last hour before bed for my wind-down routine – a perfect time for journaling or light reading. Browse more ways to connect with yourself here.
You hold it all together. This space is here to hold you.
Sign up for one weekly letter to help you come back to yourself.
Thank you!
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How to Adapt Time Blocking During Busy Seasons: Fall and Holidays
Overwhelmed? Try time blocking this fall to balance work, family, and self-care
Time blocking becomes even more crucial as the back-to-school, back-to-work, and holiday season approaches. Here’s how you can adapt your schedule during these busy months:
Create a Weekly Master Plan
With school activities, holiday prep, and work deadlines piling up, create a weekly time-blocking plan for particular holiday blocks, such as shopping, decorating, and family gatherings.
Prioritize Self-Care
Don’t let the holiday rush take over your well-being. Block out time for self-care, even if it’s just 20 minutes a day for a quiet walk or an evening of skin care.
Don’t forget self-care this fall
Involve Your Kids in Holiday Prep
Time blocking can also help you involve your kids in baking, crafting, or wrapping gifts. This way, holiday chores become family bonding time, and you’re still doing it.
Why You Shouldn’t Overfill Your Time Blocks
Avoid overfilling your schedule and escape burnout
One of the biggest mistakes I made when I started time blocking was overfilling my schedule. When you overfill your time blocks, you create a rigid, inflexible structure that leaves no room for unexpected events—leading to more stress and, eventually, burnout. Flexibility is crucial in avoiding overwhelm and maintaining balance, especially as a busy mom.
Let’s be realistic. Life with kids is unpredictable. I always include ‘flex blocks’ in my schedule to absorb life’s unpredictability. By leaving buffer time between tasks, I can handle sudden work emergencies or unexpected family needs without feeling overwhelmed. This flexibility is essential for burnout prevention. These buffer times can absorb the unexpected – a work emergency, a child’s sudden illness, or simply a day when everything takes longer than planned.
Allow buffer time between blocks to account for life’s unpredictability, especially if you have young kids. Overloading your schedule will only lead to frustration.
Time blocking has transformed how I manage my days as a working mom of three. I started to be productive and make space for balance and well-being. I am taking control of my energy, focus, and, ultimately, my life day by day. The goal has never been perfection. It is a progress. By consistently using time blocking, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success in your professional and personal life.
Now that you’ve seen how time blocking can transform your day, it’s time to take action. Whether balancing work, family, or self-care, this method can help you reclaim your time and reduce overwhelm. Ready to get started?
Start time blocking today and see the difference it makes! Click below to download your free Time Blocking Template and manage your schedule more quickly and effectively.
As a certified holistic health coach and a working mom of three, I know firsthand how powerful time blocking can be in balancing work, family, and self-care
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