Want to be an organized working mom?
Need some time-saving tips for working moms?
Are you struggling to balance home life and work life? Click here for 10 ways to be an organized working mom by @blogger_carol. #mompreneur #momlife #timemanagement #organizedBeing a mom comes with a whole host of responsibilities, and when you combine that with having a job, you will have double the responsibilities which make it very hard to get organized.
At some point, you find either your work is suffering because you are paying a lot of attention to your kids or your kids are being neglected because you are putting in far too many hours at work.
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Well, I have discovered that this does not have to be the case as long as you get organized.
As hard as that may seem, the following tips I will share with you will help you achieve organization amidst the chaos of working and being a mum.
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How to Be An Organized Working Mom
#1. Do Nothing Every Day
I know this may sound extremely counterproductive and you may be thinking of abandoning this article already, but hear me out first.
I am simply suggesting that you schedule some time every day to do absolutely nothing, just sit for a few minutes or an hour and relax like you are on vacation. This allows your mind to rest and your body too.
When I started doing this, I actually found I was more productive and I got more creative when it came to ways of getting organized. Some people may choose to meditate and that works even better.
#2. Plan Your Day the Night Before
As a working mom, you can no longer do things spontaneously, your day needs to function like clockwork and to achieve this you need to plan.
Take some time before you go to bed at night to prioritize the different tasks you will need to perform the next day.
You can use a pen and paper to write them down and then schedule them. Today there are a number of Apps for working moms you can download onto your phone and then use them to schedule your day you can actually search the phrase “how to be an organized working mom” in the App store.
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I like the Apps because they can beep to alert you that it is time for a particular task so you do not need to keep checking.
Planning at night means you wake up with a purpose and there are very few surprises, as far as urgent things you need to attend to. The virtual assistant Apps, like Asana or Trello, are quite interesting to use and they really make you more organized.
#3. Embrace Technology
The world of technology is always coming up with improved gadgets to make carrying out tasks easier and faster, so I suggest you keep up with these trends.
For example vacuums we have today are more specific. By that I mean you will find a vacuum designed particularly for laminate floors or for cleaning tiles floors and these do the work much faster so you can get back to attending to your work and children.
So always be on the lookout for efficient modern gadgets that will make your life easier and save money.
#4. Take Work Home and Take Home to Work
We working mums will always have small tasks from the two parts of their life that need to be attended to. But, we often fail to do them or forget about them entirely because we do not want to cross the line between work and home.
To an extent, you should not. For example, do not treat your children badly simply because you had a bad day at work. But something like your daughter would like to join ballet summer camp but you need to call in and book, schedule this phone call for your lunch break so that instead of enjoying office gossip the entire lunchtime, you can get your mom-duties done as well.
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And you can also choose to respond to not so urgent work emails received after 3 pm, at home as you supervise your kid’s homework.
I find that with this system, I get a lot of stuff done in a single day and I do not even feel like I have been doing a lot. It has been a big improvement in my life compared to the days I ran around like a headless chicken trying to get home things done separately from work.
#5. Plan Meals on the Weekend
Deciding what to eat can be very complicated and time-consuming, for this reason, I choose to plan the entire week’s menu on the weekend.
It gives me more time to think about how healthy the meals will be, who prefers what, how much of what I should buy and so on. By planning menus for an entire week. Dinner preparations after work become a lot easier.
For one, I do not need to swing by the grocery store to pick up anything, because the shopping too is done on the weekend and two, I do not need to spare time to think of what I will be preparing since the menu is already set.
With these tips, you can go about being a working mom without making it so obvious that your life is an everyday emergency.
#6. Share Your Plans with Family
You really cannot sail through this all on your own. It is a lot easier if you have a team contributing to you being an organized working mother.
If your kids are old enough to tell time, you will find that by letting them know your schedule for the day or week, they can act as personal assistants by reminding you about appointments, things you wanted to pick up, and they will try not to get in the way of important engagements.
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Adults in the home like a husband or extended family may also be able to help you out with some of your motherly duties to make it easier for you to do other things.
#7. Maximize the Weekend
Weekends for me are a time to take a break from the 9 to 5 hassle and focus on me and my family. I always schedule sometime on the weekend to just do things that I enjoy. Sometimes that involves a night out with the girls, catching up and being total “wine-holics.” Other times it is catching up on my reading or watching my favorite show on TV.
Scheduling me time helps you live life more and appreciate the simple things in life, I find that this energizes me and makes it much easier to get through the week no matter what the daily grind throws at me.
Since my life is not just about me, I also make time for family and especially the kids. During the week there may not be enough time to really have fun with the family, so the weekends compensate for that. This helps you be an organized working mom because if you maximize the time you spend with your family, during the week it is much easier to let the kids know you need to focus on your work so that on the weekend you are all in on whatever they may want to do.
You will also need to fix some time on the weekend to plan for the week as I suggested earlier will help you be an unflappable working mom.
#8. Buy Easy to Match Clothes
So many mothers will find they spend a lot of time trying to find the right outfit. You can avoid this by thinking about what you are buying before you add it to your shopping list.
Having lots of colorful clothes in your wardrobe may look beautiful but on a busy midweek morning, they can become the reason you are late for work or drop the kids off at school.
It is best to have fewer colors which go together so that you can make a choice much easier. I know a few friends who just go for plain colors that blend into the professional world. Black, grey, blue and white are the colors I find really easy to match.
Even better, create a capsule wardrobe of complimentary pieces only.
#9. Do Your Bookkeeping Regularly
Maybe it’s just me, though I doubt you have not experienced this. Doing your taxes take up a lot of time and cause a lot of frustration. So, why not be prepared?
In my quest to become an organized working mum, I decided to keep small records of all my taxes and to break up the process of doing taxes into weekly tasks.
This means when it is time to submit my tax records, I have less work to do and less stress, it also saves me from having to go over a pile of receipts.
I also discovered a few Apps that can be used to help you do your taxes, this is a lot cheaper than hiring a tax expert, though if you are terrible at maths like my sister, I would suggest you hire an expert.
Managing your money, will not only help you be a well-organized mum but an on budget mum too.
#10. Take Care of Your Health
Have you ever noticed how catching a cold or some other illness may throw you totally off your game?
I once caught a cold and my entire household went into meltdown. It is for this reason that I try my best to avoid any illness that can be prevented. I exercise, eat healthily and have regular checkups and so far it is working well.
Don’t make health excuses, it’s important for you and your family. As long as I’m healthy, I can be that organized working mom.
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More About Guest Contributor
Carol has a passion for all things neat, clean and organized. She is the editor over at Vacuum Koo. A wife and a mother to two sons, she understands what it means to balance work, home management and family.
Last Updated on July 22, 2024
Cassie says
Great tips for staying productive. I love the idea of prepping and planning meals on the weekend. I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent trying to figure out what to make when I’m already hungry!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Cassie,
YES, I am all about the meal prep. And also just cooking way too much food so I always have something freeze and save for later. Odds are I will always have a day when I’m standing in front of the fridge like, “ummm there’s nothing to eat.”
Charlotte Jessop says
I am actually quite proud of myself because I think I do most of these! The one that I am bad at though is doing nothing. Between the kids, the day job and the blog there’s not a lot of time for anything else.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Charlotte,
That’s awesome, you are an organized mom for sure! I am in awe of any mama that can do all that she does + blogging! You’re amazing.
Kayleen says
Excellent information! I’m not a mom but it still applies. Thank you.
Nadalie Bardo says
Agreed – we can all learn a lot from any organized working mom. She does it all!
Lakisha says
Meal preps have been such a huge lifesaver. I even have friends over some times to make it fun.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Lakisha,
That’s a fantastic idea! Meal prep party – I am so trying that!
Justyna says
Some really helpful tips over here! What do you think of fitbits? I actually got one for my boyfriend, maybe it’s time to get one for myself as well!
Nadalie Bardo says
Fitbits are pretty great for reminding you to stay moving. Which I’m sure as a mom on the go – moving isn’t a problem!
Mirley Guerra Graf says
Do nothing? That gave me anxiety haha. I mean I totally get your point but it’s hard. It’s definitely a skill worth growing.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Mirley,
OMG me too, it’s so hard to just sit still. But, then again I’m an overworked workaholic on the mend. I do my best to at least chill out one day a week. I think it helps.
Bianca says
alerts to my fitbit have been a life saver! Also encouraging me to take steps in between working has health benefits too
Nadalie Bardo says
Alerts to the Fitbit sound amazing! I’m a bit too afraid to get one because it will definitely tell me that I’m not moving nearly enough.
Lucy says
Being a mum is hard enough without trying to run your own business too. I think your tips are so helpful and a reminder that taking care of yourself is equally as important as taking care of others.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Lucy,
I honestly think every mompreneur is a superhero! I don’t know how they do it. We all need to take care of ourselves, even supermoms. =)
Patricia G. says
This is great advice for working moms! I’m not a mom, but I could probably follow some of these suggestions for myself too.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Patricia,
Agreed, these tips are for anyone who wants to be more organized and productive – mom or not.
Joanna Stephens says
I love these tips!! I especially like planning your day the night before. This helps so much for me because then I can have a game plan for what to expect for the next day. Also, taking care of your health as a mom is so important. Usually, we are the last ones we take care of, but it is crucial to maintaining a good life.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Joanna,
Honestly, that’s like my secret weapon. I also like doing a good planning session on Sunday nights. We can all take a bit better care of ourselves. Work a little less, and rest a little more.
Sarah says
The bookkeeping tip is a big one for me. I find that I am so much more effective in the other areas of my life if I’ve managed my finances well. I love the idea of a simpler wardrobe, too. It definitely takes time to get dressed in the morning, especially if there are too many options!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Sarah,
I am the worst at bookkeeping! But, I’ve resolved that it’s less painful to just block off a weekend a couple times a year and catch up. In the meantime, I keep receipts in a folder.
Oh, yes that helps! But if I’m honest I pretty much wear a capsule these days, so less time wondering what to wear every day.
Marni says
I agree with all of these! I especially love the idea of bringing home to work and vice versa. Happy employees = productive employees!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Marni,
I’ll take that farther and just say we should all work at home if we can. People are so much happier without having to deal with computing or transit.
Samantha Regan says
Love these! I just started buying easy to match clothes only (including more things that are one piece – nightgowns, dresses, rompers, etc.). It makes such a difference!
Nadalie Bardo says
Aren’t they awesome! Ohh yes, that’s a great point about clothing. That’s why I love summer. It’s so much easier, just throw on a dress or a romper and I’m good.
Holly Davis says
These tips are awesome! Pinning for later!
Nadalie Bardo says
Yay for being pinned!
Maddy Gutierrez says
These are all great tips. I always go through phases. Thankfully, I am currently in an “I’ve got my life together” phase 😉
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Maddy,
YES, congrats! I am so not in the place, but I’m working on it. And these tips are totally helping me!
Kita roberts says
These are great tips for staying on track. It is amazing how quickly the whole house can break down when a parent gets sick, and even more so, how much more energy I have to get through the day if I exercise and stay fit rather than hook up the coffee IV. And all the planning ahead, that pays huge dividends.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Kita,
Getting sick can totally throw EVERYTHING off. I know for one that I can barely function when I’m sick. All the more reason for us to stay healthy!
Jenn says
This looks like a great planner. I always do better at reaching my goals, big or small when i use a planner. Of-course finding the right planner can sometimes be a challenge for me.
Nadalie Bardo says
Seeing as I designed this to help working moms or anyone who needs an easy to use daily or weekly schedule – it sure is great! You should totally sign up for it.
Denay DeGuzman says
What wonderful tips for staying organized as a working mom. Meal planning is so important. Sharing your plans with the family helps everyone to get mentally ready for the week ahead, and helps everyone stay on the same page.
Nadalie Bardo says
Totally agree with you, Denay! It really helps when everyone actually knows the plan. So we can all be ready and prepared for whatever is happening. Gotta love meal prepping too!
Clara says
Having a planner is always a good idea. Putting your goals on paper helps them seem more concrete. I always have better success when I write things down. You’ve given me some really good tips on how to get things accomplished. Thank you!
Nadalie Bardo says
I am all about the planners! I cannot live or breath without them. Really helpful for staying on track and knowing exactly how to get where you’re going.
Sophia Inza says
Ah, I plan everything the night before! It helps sooo much!
Nadalie Bardo says
Me too!
oyibo says
Great tips.. Although this is meant for working moms but am not sure it should only be applied for just working moms..
Nadalie Bardo says
100% this post could be useful to anyone seeking to be more organized and productive.
Meg Kerns says
Whew! It’s nice to know we’re on the same page- I do most these already. This post is a great reminder that a lot of being organized comes from great self-care and planning! We moms need to stick together as well as take time to care for ourselves so we can take the best care of our families.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Meg,
Congrats, you’re an organized working mom! Self-care is the best thing any of us can do for ourselves. I know it’s so in now, but it’s true nonetheless.
Heather Barber McMechan says
I like that you mentioned technology in this post. I think it’s been such a lifesaver for me as an entrepreneur and mom of two under 10.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Heather,
Tech really is our best friend! So many great tools that are free as well. I love Asana and just Google Cal keeps me on task.
fashionandstylepolice says
Very good tips here. I plan my working the night before. It helps me stay focused.
fashionandstylepolice says
•working day
Nadalie Bardo says
Yay, I do that too! The night before planning helps me sleep so well. No stress about the day to come.
Nakeya says
These are great tips. As a professional organizer myself, I can state that you hit the nail on the head. The only thing that I’m not doing that I need to get better with is the bookkeeping. I have a fabulous system, but sometimes “life” gets in the way. 🙂
Nadalie Bardo says
Yes, so glad this post is professional organizer approved! You’re so right, having a system does help us keep life in its lane.
CARMEN | wellingtonworldtravels.com says
These are great tips. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for quite a while now and I plan to join the work field soon. I also schedule my day the night before. It gives me an overview of how to manage my time. I have to work on doing my bookkeeping regularly. I’ve been slacking. I am studying for my Master’s degree, and the reading takes up a lot of time.
Nadalie Bardo says
You must be so excited about the change ahead. I wish you all the best at managing being an organized working mom. I so remember the days of doing my Masters, it is no small task! You got this though, planning really helps.
Deepa says
When you are a mom, you need a lot of planning and organising to handle things. This is a very helpful list and pointers for moms.
Nadalie Bardo says
So glad you’ve found it helpful, Deepa! Yay for being organized.