Can we have a real conversation for a moment? Some days, being a single mom feels like running a marathon with a baby on your hip, a work call in your ear, and dinner bubbling over on the stove, am I right? We are out here managing households, careers, and our children’s well-being—with no backup bench to tag in when life gets loud. We desperately need time management hacks to survive!

And somehow, we keep showing up. Day after day. When we show up though, we can’t be running on empty, because burning out isn’t a badge of honor, it’s a warning sign. And one we all know well.  So you’re probably wondering: how do you do it all without losing yourself in the process?

It starts with shifting how you manage your time and giving yourself permission to do so in a way that feels good for you. With that being said, here are a few time management strategies designed with the reality of being a single mom in mind. No fluff. No guilt. Just tools to help you breathe a little easier and reclaim a little more of you.

Build Time Management Systems That Serve You 

Time management doesn’t mean packing your calendar with color-coded chaos. It means creating simple systems that help your days flow. Here are a few ways we like to create time management magic: 

  • Pick theme days for chores, activities, and non-negotiables. Maybe Sundays are designated meal prep days, Tuesdays are for laundry, and Thursdays are for paying bills. Having a rhythm means fewer daily decisions and less stress. You can even create tasks for your kids to get organized. Check out this article to help your kids help out around the house.
  • Batch your tasks. Group similar tasks (like scheduling the family’s medical appointments or replying to emails) together to reduce decision fatigue and save time. 
  • Use timers. We know, we know! But this is not about pressure, it’s about boundaries. Try setting timers to help you remember when to shift your focus throughout the day. You could set one for 25 minutes of focused work, 15 minutes to clean the kitchen, or 10 minutes to stretch or simply breathe. When it dings, you’re done. Move on.
  • Automate what you can. Put bills on autopay. Set up grocery delivery. Schedule recurring reminders. Let technology do the heavy lifting wherever possible. We like tech tools that act like the personal assistant you would love to have but don’t have time to hire: 
    • Cozi: Take advantage of the shared family calendar and grocery lists.
    • Todoist: Get prioritized to-do lists with reminders.
    • Trello or Notion: Create visual boards to manage projects (even school assignments and doctor appointments).
    • Use your phone’s voice commands – (e.g., “Hey Siri/Alexa, remind me to call daycare at 3 PM”) to stay on top of tasks.
    • Chat gtp: To create grocery lists based on your budget. Walmart also has this feature. 

The most important thing to remember when you’re starting is time management isn’t about cramming more into your day, it’s about managing what you already have on your plate in a way that also protects your peace. 

Honor Your Mornings and Evenings

Believe it or not, the way you begin and end your day can have a huge impact on how you respond to what happens in the middle. Aim for easy, relaxed mornings, free from rushing, to set the tone of your day. Then use your evenings to recover and reset your energy for the next day. We’re not talking about a 2-hour marathon meditation and workout session here. Just create simple routines your body and mind can adjust to and learn to expect what will happen next. This can help you move through the day with more ease. The key is finding balance.

In the morning:

Our best advice for mornings is to wake up 15-30 minutes before your kids if you can, and use that time just. for. you. You can choose to pray, meditate, or exercise. Or you can simply choose to sit in silence with your coffee, knowing these are the only moments of quiet you’re going to get until your little ones lay their heads down that night! The only requirement is that you do whatever helps you get your mind right for the busy day ahead.  

In the evening:

The evenings are where your work for the next day truly begins. We recommend prepping what you can the night before—lunches, outfits (theirs and yours!), and backpacks, so in the morning, everything is ready to go. 

Next, you might want to straighten up before you lean into rest for the night. Whether that’s cleaning the kitchen or putting away toys. Do just enough to feel reset for the next day and then prepare to shut down. (Oh yeah, and use those timers we mentioned earlier!)

Choose a hard “shut-down” time, and after that time, no cleaning, no emails, no scrolling—just well-deserved rest.

Bonus hack: 

Try time blocking, where you assign blocks of time to specific activities and stick to them like appointments. For example, you could block off:

  • 9–11 AM for work projects
  • 11–11:30 AM for email
  • 5–7 PM for family/dinner time
  • 8–9 PM for your side hustle, school, or personal goals
  • 9-10 PM winding down to rest for the next day

Prioritize Like a Pro

When everything feels important, nothing gets done. That’s why prioritizing is your superpower.

Try this:

  • Each morning, write down your “Top 3” and stick to those tasks. This list consists of the top three things you absolutely must do that day. Everything else is optional. You might find yourself having some resistance to this at first, but eventually, it will feel so good to know your most important tasks were completed and you got several “extra” items crossed off your list too. 
  • Ask yourself: what needs to happen, and what can wait? Sometimes it’s okay to let the laundry sit another day or order takeout instead of cooking if it means you get more important things done and maintain your peace of mind. The goal here is progress over perfection. 
  • Give yourself credit. Keeping a tiny human (or two, or three) alive and loved is already a full-time job! And then you also work another full-time job to earn income! Anything else you check off? All bonus points, Sis. Celebrate yourself. 

Make Asking for Help a Habit, Not a Last Resort

Let’s drop the myth that asking for help is a weakness. It’s not. It’s a survival skill. And it’s a gift to your future self. That quote about it taking a village didn’t materialize out of thin air. It makes sense because we all need our extended village – our community – from time to time. A few easy ways to tap into your network before you’re burnt out: 

  • Accept help when it’s offered, even if it’s not the way you would do it.
  • Trade tasks with another mom you trust. Maybe she picks up your kid one day, and you return the favor next week.
  • Tap into community resources like after-school programs, food assistance, counseling, and transportation, plus our amazing online community of moms. You don’t have to do this alone.

Asking for help doesn’t make you less of a strong mom. It makes you smart and human.

Remember, You’ve Got This

The truth is, Mama, you can do it all. You just can’t do it all at once, or without rest, help, and systems that support your version of success. 

Some days will still feel super messy! And that’s okay. What matters is that you keep showing up with intention and giving yourself the grace to keep learning what works best for you and your family.

Your time is a valuable resource. Protect your time fiercely. Your energy is sacred, and you deserve to feel steady, not stretched thin. The more you pour into you, the more you’ll have to give to others without running dry.

So try one of these hacks this week. See what sticks. Let go of what doesn’t. And when in doubt, take a deep breath and remember: you’re doing better than you think.

You’ve got this, mama.

Have more tried-and-true time-saving hacks that could benefit another mom? Share them in the comments!