Motherhood is the ultimate juggling act. With so many responsibilities to manage, it can feel overwhelming for anyone—but working moms face a unique set of challenges. Finding that elusive work-life balance often comes with its own share of stress and self-doubt. Sometimes, it’s easy to feel frustrated or even resentful when other moms seem like they’ve got it all figured out. So, the big question is: How can moms do it all?
Here’s the secret: you don’t have to do it all. Instead, focus on doing what matters most—and doing it well. With a little practice, some smart planning, and a few game-changing tips, you can find your groove, stay productive, and sleep soundly at night, free from mom guilt.
Let’s dive into some practical ways to help you thrive as a working mom while staying present for the moments that matter most.
Get reliable, trustworthy childcare.
With the prices of childcare being so high, I see so many working moms find every way possible to avoid getting a nanny, sitter, or daycare provider. They work opposite shifts to their partner or try to work at home with their children. However, this puts a lot of unnecessary stress and strain on you and your relationships with everyone . . . your kids, your spouse, and your colleagues.
It’s well worth the price to get reliable care and there are probably more options than you think. You can explore all your childcare options here but remember that the high cost is worth the extra energy and focus you’ll have to be present at work and home!
Use a planner and the 3-3-3 method.
When you’re a mom, you juggle not only your own schedule but EVERYONE’S schedule. It’s a lot to manage, so I recommend first of all getting a planner that works for you. Try a few to find one that’s practical and effective for you. There are both digital and physical options, depending on your preferences. Many of my podcast guests swear by this one, The Full Focus Planner.
Beyond that, plan out your day using the 3-3-3 method. This changed my life! It’s so easy for us as moms to overfill our days and then feel defeated and disappointed at the end of the day with what we accomplished. With this method, it forces you to be practical about what you can achieve and helps you actually be more productive.
The idea is, that you spend 3 hours doing your most important task of the day, then you complete 3 smaller tasks that you’ve been avoiding. Finally, you complete 3 maintenance tasks that support your big goals. Lay this out daily in your planner to focus on what’s important and avoid overfilling your plate.
Get enough sleep.
When you work full-time and have a family, you may see your sleeping hours as somewhat optional. You’ll stay up late cleaning, cooking, prepping, and even working. However, our sleep is way too important to be prioritized under any of these things. Sleep deprivation in mothers can make you irritable, unfocused, and fatigued. This makes it hard to be productive at work and present at home.
Make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Make this a top priority over most other things! If you struggle to keep up and get enough sleep, it’s time to get support and hire some help . . . whether that be laundry services, a housecleaner, or a sitter.
Spend a little for the sake of convenience.
Being frugal and financially responsible is of course a good quality in a parent. However, there are times when it’s worth the money for convenience that gives you a little less to worry about. It could be a robot vacuum, an automated thermostat, meal delivery services, pet groomers, or the things I mentioned above! (House cleaners, launderers, etc.) If you can afford these conveniences, it can be a way to truly buy back your time and energy.
Meal plan and do grocery pickup.
Even if you don’t enroll in a meal delivery service, you can save a lot of time by meal prepping at the beginning of the week. It’ll make dinner prep go much faster if most of it is already taken care of, which gives you a lot of extra time with your family. Additionally, don’t go into the store to grocery shop. Instead, plan your meals, make a list, order online, and pick up on your way home from work. It’ll save you hours every week!
Distribute household duties evenly between you and your partner.
Many working moms still feel like they have to take on all the culturally defined gender-appropriate duties. However, you are not a stay-at-home mom and it’s not 1950! You and your husband are both working, therefore, you should both be doing equal household chores. Communicate with your partner about this and establish clear expectations to avoid resentment or disappointment. If you're struggling with the division of labor in your home, Fair Play has been a game changer for me and my husband.
Invest in yourself.
Moms who find time to invest in themselves tend to have more to give to those around them. It’s the classic “fill your cup before you pour into others” rule. It really is true. You deserve to find time every day for yourself, and your family will actually benefit from you feeling important, appreciated, and pampered. No matter your hobby or pastime, find a way to work it into your schedule. It’ll give more than it takes!
Invest in your relationships.
Invest in your core relationships. Don’t focus on relationships for status or reputation that could have you at a different social event or fundraiser every other day. Don’t say yes to every volunteer request from the school. Simplify your life by zooming in on your family and close friends. Give them your evenings, your weekends, and your vacation time.
You’ll feel more fulfilled with the success of these core relationships and you’ll feel free without the commitments other relationships demand of you all the time! It’s hard to break at first, but slowly pull back and center your energy and presence on your own home.
Focus on being more present.
Nobody does it right all the time. No one gets everything done every day. Even if you feel like you know a complete super mom who never makes a mistake… it’s simply not true. Instead of looking at other moms around you or holding yourself to a gold standard, just be present and remember that perfection is not the goal. Be there for your family, for your career, and you!
Find work-life balance with these tips for working moms.
Life can feel like chaos, especially when juggling a career, a house, and a family. We can get so caught up in what we “should do,” that we don’t focus on enjoying our time with our kids and spouse. Worry, fatigue, and guilt can cripple our mood, productivity, and connection to our family. I hope these tips help you simplify your life and finally find that balance you’re looking for. You can find more parenting tips for working moms on my blog. We’re in this together!
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