Time Management Tips For Working Mums: How to have More Control and Less Stress

What mum wouldn’t give for less stress and more control? Yes, me! you might be saying to yourself. The time management tips for mums below are designed to help you achieve exactly that – more control over your day and less stress that wears you down, while also promoting a better wellbeing for you.

When I was young, I didn’t plan to be on time unless it was work. Over time and becoming a mum, I realised I had to plan to be on time for everything, or I’d miss out or disappoint. As the saying goes: fail to plan, plan to fail.

Do you notice that when you leave tasks to the last minute, you begin to feel overwhelmed? There are other telltale signs that may show you have poor time management, and that could be what’s causing your stress and lack of control.

Why Time Management Matters for Working Mums

As a mum you have to juggle many tasks for your child/ren, home, work and let’s not forget you. Your roles differ at any time of the day/week, as cook, cleaner, nurse to name a few, often all in the same day. If you’re not in control of your time, your family won’t be either and without order, things start falling apart.

For working mums it’s important to distinguish working hours from family time, to achieve a working life balance. Creating a schedule that allows dedicated time for every task helps you stay organised, but also feel more in control and less stressed.

Good time management sets an overall precedent for how others will treat you, both in and out the workplace and the dynamics of your family life.

Signs You May Have Poor Time Management

The signs that may show you do not manage your time well and could lead to further complicated issues, like the following:

• Sleep issues arising when poor time management leads you to work late into the night or constantly thinking about unfinished tasks.
• Anxiety triggered by forthcoming deadlines, constant rushing, and the pressure of juggling too many tasks without a clear plan, leaving you feeling tense and unsettled.
• Depression developing over time, if ongoing stress from poor time management leaves you feeling, unmotivated, hopeless or unable to keep up with daily demands.
• Stress building up from tasks piling up, schedules become disorderly, like you feel you’re always behind, creating pressure and urgency.
• Burnout a serious mental health consequence of poor time management. Symptoms include fatigue, detachment from work, pessimism, and frequent illness. 
• Overwhelmed leaving you feeling rushed, disorganised, and overloaded. You might even worry about work in your free time. 
• Poor performance leading to missing deadlines, being late to appointments, and declining productivity. 
• Poor quality of work by trying to complete tasks at the last minute. You might compromise the quality of your work for speed. 
• Other signs of poor time management include: frequent distractions, difficulty estimating time, unhealthy habits, poor punctuality, and always rushing. 

How Better Time Management Helps Mums Feel More in Control

If you manage your time well, you will feel the opposite, of the signs you may have poor time management:

• Improved sleep patterns a calm mind and clear plan helps you switch off at night.
• Reduced anxiety knowing what’s coming next lowers feelings of tension and worry.
• More energy avoiding burnout keeps you motivated and able to enjoy your day.
• Better focus you can give your full attention to one task without constant distractions.
• Higher quality work having enough time means you can do things properly instead of rushing.
• Greater productivity organised schedules helps you get more done in less time.
• Stronger work life balance clear boundaries between work and family time creates peace.
• A calmer home environment when you’re in control, your family feels more settled too.

You can turn these benefits into your new normal, by implementing time management tips for mums consistently in how you plan and prioritise your day.

Time Management Tips for Mums Resulting In More Control and Less Stress

Plan in advance

For appointments, occasions and deadlines, it helps to work backwards, ensuring to factor in travel, getting ready, preparation and any last minute tasks.

Time block daily tasks

Assigning set time slots for specific daily tasks, helps you stay focused and prevents tasks from spilling into the rest of your day.

Prioritise tasks from high to low priority

Completing your most important, urgent task first means you’re doing what truly matters before less critical ones.

Plan for emergencies

Preparing contingency plans for the evitable and inevitable. Having backup routes and alternative arrangements.

Set boundaries for your time 

Learn to say no to tasks or events that don’t align with your priorities.

Use tools and reminders 

Digital calendars, timers, and to-do lists can help you stay on track.

Batch similar tasks together 

Grouping errands or admin tasks saves time and energy.

Breaking Bad Habits That Affect Your Time Management

After evaluating your daily patterns, break any bad habits that are affecting your time management and take control of them, one at a time. Once doing this and applying these time management tips, you will start to effectively manage your time better, ultimately reducing stress and gaining more control.