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How Productive Moms Get So Much Done

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Moms with demanding schedules can do a lot. How do they get it all done? Find out their productivity hacks and time management tools.

mom and son smiling at each other outside

Do you have a mom-friend that's super productive? Do you marvel at how much stuff she gets done in a day? Have you ever wanted to know how on earth she's able to get so much done in a day?

I've spent the last few weeks observing the behavior of some of my most productive friends and acquaintances, and I've found that they have some behaviors in common that are helping them to be more productive.

After observing super productive moms over time, I found they have these five behaviors in common. The second behavior on the list will really surprise you!

How Productive Moms Get So Much Done

I originally wrote this article in 2015, when my kids were under 5 years old. The habits I observed that helped parents have productive days are still valid, but I've learned a lot since then. I'm updating this article now that my kids are older, and I've had some time to reflect on what worked and what didn't.

Here are the original five things I saw productive parents doing:

  1. They say no. When people ask them to do things that they know they don't have time or energy for, they say no right away. Crystal Paine at Money Saving Mom has said that her default answer is always “no.” That way, when the right opportunities come along, she hasn't overcommitted herself, and she's able to say yes.
  2. They use the fringe hours to get stuff done. They wake up early, go to bed late, or find other pockets of time during the day when they can be productive. If you're interested in learning more about how to use your extra pockets of time, Jessica Turner's book, The Fringe Hours, is a helpful read.
  3. They don't vent/stalk/discuss political issues on Facebook. In fact, they might not be on Facebook at all. They're too busy getting stuff done to go on to Facebook and get into an argument with other moms about immunizations. They avoid time wasters.
  4. They take care of their health. They exercise, eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, and get rest. They know that these things will give them more energy to get stuff done.
  5. They use routines. This takes some of the guesswork out of their days, and ensures that things get done. They often have set morning and evening routines, and they might even have schedules set up for when they go grocery shopping, clean, and work on special projects.

I have struggled with being able to do all of the things above, but when I can do them, I am way more productive. I've always wanted to have a good morning routine, but I've had trouble establishing a good one. It just seems like there's so much to do in the mornings!

How can I be a productive parent in this season of life?

As our children got older, our lives got a lot busier! We started spending less time at home, and had less control over our schedule.

I kept watching what other parents did to stay organized, and I learned a lot from those who had kids a few years older than my own children.

I've always found that it's helpful to ask for advice from parents who just went through the parenting stage you're currently in.

They've gained a lot of wisdom, and it's still fresh enough in their minds to remember what it was like!

Related: How to Be an Organized Mom: Simple Habits

productive mom writing in planner wearing watch at marble table

More Ways to Have a Productive Day

  • Use Google Calendar and a planner. Keep them updated. Use Google Calendar to coordinate with your spouse and anyone else who needs to know what's going on. You can share your Google Calendar with others, which is super convenient. Another benefit is that you can access the calendar on your computer and your mobile phone – everything syncs.
  • Make chores part of your routine. As soon as your children are ready, start giving them age-appropriate chores so they can contribute to the family.
  • Automate as much as possible. Read this article that's full of automation ideas. Setting a few things on autopilot can free up a lot of time!
  • Plan your days with your energy levels in mind. Schedule tasks for the right time of day so you're not doing the most difficult things when you have the lowest energy. In the summers, we like to go out in the mornings when we have more energy, and then do quieter tasks at home in the afternoons.
  • Wake up early…or stay up late! Depending on whether you're an early bird or a night owl, having some extra time when everyone is sleeping can be a “golden window” for productivity. I used to work up really early to write this blog – if it weren't for those early mornings, I never would have been able to do it. Now I use those early morning hours to have a cup of coffee, clean up the kitchen, and relax before the day begins.
  • Keep quiet time and nap time. Even when your kids phase out of naps, they still need down time. It's good for everyone in the family to have a designated quiet time during the day. If your kids are older, you can start calling it “reading time” so they don't think it's baby-ish.
  • Rest when you're tired. I wish I would have learned this earlier. Parents can feel guilty for resting, but they shouldn't. Parenting is labor-intensive, and we need to take breaks. Plus, everything feels so much easier when you feel well-rested. Even if you can only manage a 5-10 minute break, do it! And make sure you're resting during your family's quiet time too.
  • Prep meals in advance. Create a meal plan for the week, and try to prep as much as you can before dinner time. I love it when it's dinnertime, and I can just throw together the ingredients I prepped earlier in the day. Read: Meal Prep Organization: Simplify Your Meal Planning Routine
  • Do a load of laundry every day. Make it part of your daily routine, and it doesn't feel like as big of a burden. Go here to learn how to make the switch.
  • Delegate. Whether you're a working mom, a homeschooling mom, or a stay-at-home mom, everyone is a busy mom! Get family members to help out, and if you can afford it, hire help when you need it. Sometimes hiring a cleaning service or a mother's helper can make a huge difference.
  • Get a body double! This isn't a joke, but it's probably not what you think. 😉 Go here to learn more about body doubling.

More Productivity Resources for You!

 

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31 Comments

  1. These are great tips! I try to do all of these, and I can really tell when I fall off the bandwagon because I am stressed, a space cadet, and usually end up getting sick. 🙁 My biggest productivity tip is “focusing.” Routines help, but I need to work on focusing and making sure everything is written down in my planner (and then actually following that routine/planner activity).

    I did the Make Over Your Mornings course, too. It was a great course! I’m still struggling to go to bed at a decent time, but I’m so much more productive in the mornings than I am at night.

  2. Thanks for the great advice. I feel like a mess of a mom lately and really need to implement a lot of these ideas. I always have a better day when I wake up before my kids, and I know I need to waste less time on social media and TV.

    1. Hi Erin! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Being a mom is tough, and I think we all feel like a mess a lot of the time. I hope some of the ideas help!

  3. Having an plan already down in righting before going to bed! I did Crystal’s course a few months ago and the life changer has been a solid evening routine! Once I had that routine in place, I am almost guaranteed to have a good start to my morning because I no longer get distracted and frustrated by not being able to find clean socks or the pot I always use for oatmeal being dirty because I cleaned the kitchen and set out my clothes the night before!

    Getting up and having obstacles removed means I can actually stick to the plan I made the night before!

  4. I may need to take Crystal’s course, I forget a lot of things and my daughter has been calling me out on it! I am on over load but everything I am doing is for the family or my school. It’s just a busy season of life! Any tips on what vitamins or herbs help with energy and/or memory? Coffee doesn’t do the trick!

    1. Hi Frances! Take it easy on yourself. It’s normal forget a few things during this busy time of year. If you’re noticing a big change, go see your doctor. They might be able to recommend vitamins that would help you.

  5. All great tips, but I think #4 is the most important for me. On days when I’m well-rested, I’ve exercised, and I’ve eaten well (and not overdone the caffeine), I really feel like I can take on the world. It’s amazing how much more I can do in the same span of time as another day when I’m feeling exhausted and “blah.”

    1. Hi Alyssa! You’re so right! I’m really bad about overdoing the caffeine. I’m not ready to give it up all together, but I think it’s time for me to make some changes.

  6. Thank you for such a delightful read. I agree with all I read, but there’s one more trait not mentioned in your list, that I have personally observed in my productive friends who are also busy moms – (and I share this only because you asked to share more tips if you knew of any) … The women I know, begin their day with prayer and God’s Word. They ask God for strength to equip them in the tasks prepared for their hands, and they ask Him for wisdom in discerning all that actually needs to be completed (similar to the trait you mentioned of knowing when to say “no”), but I’m surprised that most of them do not tell others “no” very often – which I personally find pretty amazing. Instead, they just reframe the priority of their day. Some days we can’t gage productivity by the visual things in this world (I.e., clean dishes, wiped counters, etc.) … Sometimes, success is found in a sink full of messy dishes, and a dirty kitchen, because you prioritized your time to cook & deliver a meal for a family in crisis, or need of help. 🙂

  8. I have to agree with Amy that my most important productivity tip (if you could call it that) is starting each day with prayer and scripture reading. This really brings God’s spirit into my life and that blesses everyone around me and helps me recognize what really matters each day. I also have to remind myself regularly that my life is not my own. I have a house full of kids that need me, a husband who needs my time and energy, and other people around me who need my love and service. All of that matters more than checking things off a to-do list. All of the things I mentioned are what I feel God gave me time on this earth to do, and I feel the most happy and fulfilled when I give the people closest to me the best of my time and energy. I do admit I am very scheduled and organized, so it’s not like the house is falling apart while I’m tending to my family. Keeping the house in order is an important part of taking care of my family. I also did Makeover Your Mornings. The part that helped me most was learning to use google calendar better. I’m Mormon, so I don’t drink caffeine. I have found that the best source of energy is a good night’s sleep.:)

  9. My most organized mom friends have very little guilt. They can take time away from their kids to focus on
    the greater community and the task at hand. I myself do not operate this way. I will often say “yes” to a play date knowing that will eliminate time for the grocery store.

  10. Thanks–I really should already know these, but it was such a good reminder to work on things. Especially the routines and using the “fringe hours”. I love that term, it describes it well. It’s amazing how much time is wasted and could otherwise be put to good use! Lists of some sort, setting reminders and using timers help me tons when I use them. They also help my kids be more productive and help to reduce or even sometimes eliminate the whining/complaining/wasting time they are prone to engage in. Thanks for the motivation to try harder.

  11. As a outside full time working mom to seven children. I have learned a lot and am still learning. I have worked hard to set up our home to make life productive. From the food pantry to the closet for six children to the
    color coded towels, cups and bowls for each child. I say no without issue and I pick and choose carefully what I will participate in. I am learning how to take care of myself better with excercise and drinking more water. I want to start every day in God’s word asking for His direction and wisdom and most importantly His protection over my family.

  12. I was really surprised at how inexpensive the Make Over Your Mornings classes cost. Most of the time people charge outrageous amounts for these “seminars.” Thanks for all the great advice!

  13. They clean as they go. If you put away the dishes when they finish running, then dirty dishes go go right in, so when you are a making a meal, dishes don’t pile up in the sink, or if they do, dishes are done immediately after eating. etc.
    They also delegate. Kids can run towels thru the laundry,they can fold and put away towels and clothes. They can put away their own dishes and wipe down tables.
    They keep their lives and homes simple. No hording.

  14. Pingback: My Morning Makeover Committment « This and That Styling

  15. great tips and i totally agree. i work full time and take care of my toddler ( and husband ha ) so it’s great having pockets of time to stay productive during the day. i also get up early and stay up late to finish projects/ blogging/ house work. i love feeling productive before i go to bed! thanks for this!

  19. I have to say a huge game changer for me was cooking dinner first thing in the morning
    Whether its after school run or b4 im muched more relaxed knowing dinner only needs 2 warmed up.

  20. Mornings with kids!! I want to be lovely and calm in the morning, but it just doesn’t seem to work for me. I’m planning on making a laminated chat that we can tick off each morning – here’s hoping it works 🙂
    Great tips.

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