Balancing the demands of mom life, homeschooling, family and work can feel like an endless juggling act, especially since moms wear so many hats. From managing work deadlines to making sure dinner is on the table, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But with the right strategies, it’s possible to find balance between your professional responsibilities and family life.

A while ago, I read something that suggested keeping track of everything you do throughout the day to see where you might be wasting time. I thought I was pretty good at time management. Back when I worked in retail, I was always praised for it. But becoming a mom overnight changed things. Skills I used to excel at began slipping away. I noticed I was spending a lot of time on my phone, not for work, but scrolling and playing. This added more clutter to my mind and life. When I started cutting back (though I know I can cut back even more), I found more mental space and clarity.

I realized that to regain control and stop feeling overwhelmed, I had to focus on time management. Here are some of my tips:

1. Prioritizing Tasks: Start by identifying the most important tasks for the week and then plan them out each day. I focus on the top three priorities for the week and each day that will have the biggest impact on my work and home life. This keeps me focused and prevents that scattered feeling. For instance, meal planning and prep are weekly priorities, so I make sure they’re scheduled. I also prioritize a weekly date with Jimmy, which usually ends up being an at-home date because that’s what we love. Daily, I ensure time for devotions, reading, or playing a board game with JJ and Isabella. I also have a standing coffee date with Lele, where we chat and do things she enjoys, like editing and creating graphics in Canva. These are all important to me and I plan them out. For work, I prioritize tasks that need to be done and are most beneficial. Jimmy always says, “not everything that is urgent is important, but everything that is important should be urgent.”

2. Implementing Routines: Routines are a game-changer for managing time. Some of my routines include a morning routine, a nightly routine, meal planning and prep and a daily cleaning checklist to maintain our home. These simple checklists help control the chaos and keep things running smoothly. Even the kids are learning the importance of building routines. We have found by having routines it gives us space in our heads and lives, allowing us to function better. 

3. Time Blocking: Is a newer thing I’ve been doing. I allocate specific blocks of time for work, homeschooling, family time and self-care. By dedicating time slots to each area, I’ve created a structure that allows me to give my full attention to what I’m doing. Now that we’ve started homeschooling, I’ve had to adjust my time blocks. We do homeschool in the morning, I work in the afternoon and family time is in the late afternoon and evening. When Jimmy gets home from work, he has my attention after the kids are in bed. By blocking off my time, I’m able to focus fully on each area, making me more productive and making sure my family knows they are loved.

Balancing work and home life is an ongoing journey—I know it well. But with the right strategies, you can navigate the challenges without feeling overwhelmed. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.

If you’re ready to take control of your time and create a balanced, fulfilling life, my course The Balanced Home Life: A Mom’s Guide to Lasting Habits is here to support you every step of the way. 

Love, 

BIllie-Jo