Time management tips for working mums

Let’s be real — managing your time as a working mum often feels like a juggling act with way too many balls in the air. Between work deadlines, drop-offs, dinner prep, and trying to fit in washing your hair to fit your social calendar… life gets full, fast.

Now don’t get me wrong, being a stay-at-home mum is the hardest job by far, and you’ll never juggle more than when you’re postpartum, running on little sleep and trying to figure out how to keep a tiny human (and yourself) alive. But for some reason, when you return to full-time work, especially if you're back in the office, your time management skills need to level up all over again.

Suddenly those small at-home tasks you used to squeeze in during nap time or in between feeds? They’re gone. The windows of free time decrease significantly, and if you’re not on top of your schedule, things can feel overwhelming fast.

Since stepping back into full-time work, I’ve had to really up my game with how I manage my time, and while I’m far from perfect (because, who is?), I’ve found a few simple strategies that help me make the most of my time and protect my energy along the way.

So if you're a working mum trying to find more flow in your days, here are the time management tips that have helped me the most:

1. Plan Your Week on Sundays

Taking 20–30 minutes on a Sunday to map out the week ahead makes such a difference. I look at what’s on at work, any social commitments, appointments and personal goals. This gives me a clearer head going into the week and helps reduce that "I don't have time for this" feeling.

2. Get Friendly with To-Do Lists

Whether it’s a paper planner, a notes app, or a full-blown digital calendar, find a system that works for you and stick to it. I keep a running list for work tasks, home life, upcoming deliveries and even a ‘brain dump’ list where I park ideas or reminders for later.

Tip: Prioritise your top 3 tasks each day — it keeps things manageable and helps you focus on what actually needs to get done.

3. Meal Plan (and keep it simple)

Weeknight dinners don’t need to be fancy, but they do need to happen. Choose a night of the week (Thursday is mine!) and plan your meals for the week, including breakfasts and lunches. I keep a running list of every dinner I've made in my digital planner, Notion. When planning time comes around, I scroll through past meals and pick meals for the week ahead based on what we're feeling and how much time I’ll have to cook.

I place an online order for any supermarket groceries on Thursday night and finish my shopping at my local market on the weekend. While cooking isn’t exactly my favourite thing, this system keeps me organised and makes sure we’re eating meals that are mostly nutritious and still enjoyable.

4. Prep the Night Before

It sounds so simple, but this one is a game-changer. Packing lunches, bags, choosing outfits, cleaning up toys, emptying the dishwasher, folding the washing — anything you can do before bed helps the next day start smoother. The less things you need to do before running out the door, the better!

5. Learn to Say No (without feeling guilty)

Your time is valuable. Don’t feel bad about saying no to things that drain you, stress you out, or just don’t align with your priorities. Whether it’s a last-minute favour, another commitment, or an event you don’t actually want to go to — it’s okay to protect your time.

6. Ask for Help and Delegate

Yes, as mums we often carry the mental load for the whole family, but that doesn't mean we have to be the ones doing everything. Share the load with your partner, family, or even your little one if they’re ready for some responsibility (Ruby loves unpacking the dishwasher!) At the start, it will be for fun and to include them, but encouraging them to help with small daily tasks will help build positive habits for the future.

7. Stick to Your Goals

Prioritising your personal goals is essential! When you stop making space for what matters to you, you send yourself the message that you don’t matter. But when I show up for myself — whether that’s moving my body, making time to write these blogs, or simply taking a moment to breathe, I feel proud, energised, and more present for the people I love.

8. Make Time for You

I know, we’re always last on the list. But taking time each day to walk, listen to a Podcast, scroll, stretch, take a bath or sit in silence helps recharge your batteries. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you're allowed some me time too.

No matter what, remember you’re doing an amazing job. Time management isn’t about being perfectly organised, it’s about making life easier where you can, and giving yourself grace where you can’t. Some days will feel calm, others will feel chaotic. But with a few smart systems, you can find a routine that works for you and your family.