Time-Saving Hacks Every Working Stay-at-Home Mom Needs to Know

Working Mom
Written By Maria Torres
Working stay at home moms

As a working stay at home, some mornings can feel chaotic before the day even begins. You’re answering emails while making breakfast, mentally planning dinner while washing dishes, and trying to squeeze in work, motherhood, and some version of self-care, all in the same 24 hours.

And even though you love being home with your kids and contributing financially, it can feel like you’re constantly running behind or like there’s never quite enough time to do everything well.

The truth is you don’t need to be more productive, you need systems that actually support your real life. So, I’m sharing realistic, time-saving hacks that work and not Pinterest-perfect ones. Think simple morning routines, practical planning, easy organization, and small changes that create big relief.

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1. A Simple Morning Routine 

For working stay at home moms, mornings can make or break the entire day. Especially when the morning feels rushed. It can make the entire day feel heavier. But when the morning starts with intention, the rest of the day flows so much better.

No, we’re not talking about a 5 am wake up or a strict routine. It’s about creating a simple morning rhythm that supports your energy, your kids, and your work-from-home responsibilities.

What a realistic morning routine looks like

  • Wake up 15–30 minutes before the kids (when possible)
     Just enough time to gather your thoughts, sip coffee, go for a walk or pray before the house gets busy.

  • Get dressed right away
     Even a comfy outfit helps shift your mindset from “sleep mode” to “ready for the day.”

  • Check your planner or daily schedule
     Knowing what needs to happen today reduces mental clutter and decision fatigue.

  • Set kids up with a predictable routine
     A morning basket, breakfast routine, or visual schedule gives them structure and gives you breathing room.

  • Start with one priority task
    Whether it’s work or homeschool-related, completing one important task early builds momentum.

You don’t need a perfect morning. You just need a simple routine that works and is simple to follow. This alone can improve the quality of your day. 

Best mom planners

Links: Planner and Daily Devotional (Radiate)

2. Planning Your Day With a Planner 

As a working stay at home mom, a planner can really be life changing. But if ever bought a planner with big dreams, only to abandon it by week three, you’re not alone. 

It's important that you get the right planner, it will help remove pressure and let you place all your to-do’s into one place.

How to plan your day without overplanning

Here’s a simple planning method that actually sticks:

  • Choose 3 priorities max
     One work task, one home task, one family-related task.

  • Block time loosely
     Morning, afternoon, evening, instead of minute-by-minute scheduling.

  • Plan for interruptions
     Assume your plan will shift. Build in buffer time so you don’t feel behind.

  • Leave white space
     Blank space is not failure — it’s margin.

Planners for working stay at home moms

When everything lives in your head, burnout is inevitable. Trust me, I can attest to this, a planner can be a mental relief tool, not another task to manage.

3. Meal Prep That Saves Time

If there’s one thing that quietly drains working stay at home moms, it’s the never-ending question: “What are we eating today?”

Meal prep doesn’t have to mean spending your entire Sunday in the kitchen. It just needs to make your weekdays lighter.

A realistic meal prep routine

Forget the all-or-nothing approach. This is about simple systems, not perfection.

Think:

  • Repeating a few family-favorite meals (5-6 go to meals)

  • Prepping ingredients, not full meals (frozen veggies, seasoned meat etc)

  • Creating shortcuts like cooking 1 meal for 2-3 days

  • Plan meals out according to your daily routine (simple recipes on easy days and larger meals on less busy days)

Meal prep Must-haves

Meal prep isn’t about being a “perfect” mom. For most busy moms, it’s about protecting your sanity, so you can show up where it matters most.

Cleaning Schedule for a working mom

4. A Cleaning Schedule

Let’s be honest, as a working stay at home mom, the goal isn’t a spotless house, it’s a livable one that doesn’t overwhelm you or constantly pull you away from work, kids, or rest.

A simple cleaning schedule that actually works

Daily (15–20 minutes max):

  • Quick kitchen reset after meals

  • One load of laundry (wash or fold — not both)

  • Toy + paper pickup at the end of the day

Clean one main room weekly, Monday: Bathrooms, Tuesday: Bedroom etc.  

Monthly you want to focus on one large task, like cleaning out the fridge, decluttering the drawer or cabinets. This will prevent build up and help maintain a well kept home. 

Cleaning tools that make life easier

Your home doesn’t need to look perfect during work hours but It does need to function. For working stay at home moms, consistency beats intensity every single time.

5. Organizational Hacks 

Organization doesn’t mean color-coded perfection but is about simple organizational hacks to keep your day moving without extra effort. This way you can focus on work, kids, and yourself without constantly putting out fires.

Daily-life organizational hacks

1. Command centers (small but powerful) - think wall calendar or dry-erase board, small tray for mail + papers or a basket for “things that need attention”

2. Zone-based organization - Instead of organizing by room, organize by purpose: Work zone
Homeschool or homework zone, Snack zone or drop off zone

3. Grab-and-go bins Use labeled bins for: School supplies, tech cords and chargers, work essentials, kids activity basket

Must-have organizational tools

These simple organization hacks prevent spending more time looking for things and more time staying focused on what's important.

stay at home mom outfits

6. Mom Outfits 

Let’s be honest, when you’re a working stay at home mom, getting dressed can feel optional.  Until, a quick Zoom call, an unexpected errand, or school pickup suddenly has you wishing you’d changed out of pajamas.


The good news is, you don’t need a full wardrobe overhaul. You just need a small, reliable outfit formula that makes getting dressed easy and confidence-boosting.

The “grab-and-go” mom outfit formula

These pieces mix and match effortlessly and work for home, errands, and casual workdays:

1. Comfortable tops that look polished: Soft knit tees, relaxed blouses, casual button-downs are all tops that say I look comfortable but cute.

2. Stretchy bottoms that don’t feel restrictive: High-waisted leggings, Joggers that pass as “real pants”, Straight-leg lounge pants or flared lounge pants that pass for work bottoms.

3. Easy layering pieces: Cardigans, Lightweight shackets, Neutral pullovers or sweater vest.

4. Slip-on shoes: Neutral sneakers, Comfortable slides or loafers for an elevated look

Mom outfit essentials

Trust me, a cute outfit can shift your mindset entirely, it signals, “I’m ready for the day.” It’s all about showing up for yourself because when you feel good, everything else feels a little lighter.

Related: Benefits of Getting Dressed in the Morning

7. Time-Blocking Your Day

You don’t need a stricter schedule, you need a flexible one that works in real time.

Time-blocking isn’t about controlling every minute. It’s about giving your day direction without constraint.

A simple time-blocking schedule 

Here’s an example that works well for many moms:

  • Morning Block:
     Focused work tasks or homeschool lessons

  • Midday Block:
     Lunch, light chores, outdoor time, errands

  • Afternoon Block:
     Independent play, quiet time, emails, admin work

  • Evening Block:
     Family time, dinner, reset, rest

Helpful tools to support time-blocking


Some days it’ll flow beautifully. Other days it won’t  and that’s okay. Time blocking is not about strict timelines, but flexible structure that works with you not against you.

Stay at home working moms

8. Finding Balance

One of the biggest challenges for working stay at home moms isn’t time, it’s balance. When work, home, and family all live in the same space, it’s easy to feel like you’re always “on.”

That’s where boundaries come in, they’re about keeping things in place so things don’t start spilling over and you don’t burn out.

Simple boundaries that actually work

You don’t need a complicated system. Start small:

  • Complete the most important task first

  • Try to work in blocks not hours (ex/ early morning is for work)

  • Communicate expectations with kids (age-appropriate)

  • Set an end time (where you set your work, homeschooling task aside and focus only on family time and being present. My daily end time is at 5:30 pm)

Digital tools that help create balance

  • Focus timers or Pomodoro apps

  • Task management apps

  • Digital planners or calendars

  • Website blockers during work blocks

  • Reminder apps for transitions

As a working stay at home mom, you don’t have unlimited energy and that’s okay. Planning around how you feel, not just the clock, makes your days smoother and more sustainable.

Protecting your energy and setting boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s necessary and it’s how you keep showing up.

9. Weekly Resets 

For working stay-at-home moms, the week can blur together fast and all of a sudden it’s Monday again. That’s why a simple weekly reset isn’t about perfection. It’s about giving yourself a fresh starting point.

It’s a gentle check-in not a 3 hour planning session.

A realistic weekly reset routine

You can do this in 30–60 minutes, even with kids around:

  • Review your planner for the week ahead

  • Choose 3 priorities (not 15)

  • Meal plan loosely or prep one staple

  • Reset homeschool or work supplies

  • Lay out a few mom outfits for the week

The power of prepping once instead of daily

  • Mornings feel calmer

  • Decisions feel lighter

  • You start the week with clarity

  • No Sunday scaries

Make it a moment by lighting a candle, put some uplifting music or you’re favorite podcast

Remember this, you’re not trying to control the week, you’re just setting it up to support you.

10. Why Less Pressure Is the Real Time-Saving Hack

So much burnout comes from the invisible expectations we put on ourselves, to be productive, present, organized, patient, and put together all at once. The truth is Pressure steals time more than tasks do

Doing fewer things, but better

  • Choose what actually matters today

  • Let go of “shoulds”

  • Stop trying to win the invisible comparison game

  • shorter to-do list that you actually finish

Give yourself permission to choose ease. Ease doesn’t mean laziness.
Ease means systems that support you, routines that are flexible and days that don’t fall apart if one thing goes wrong

The reality is that some seasons are about growth, others are about survival and most of the time it's a mix of both.

Less pressure allows you to show up consistently, protect your peace and enjoy your days again
And that, truly, is the biggest time-saving hack of all.

Conclusion: You’re Doing More Than You Think

As a working stay-at-home mom, you’re likely carrying more than your to-do list shows. You’re managing a home, nurturing your kids, building something of your own, and trying to hold space for yourself in the middle of it all.

The truth is you don’t need a perfect routine or a packed schedule to be doing a good job.
You probably need to make small changes, like simplifying your mornings, planning with intention, and releasing unnecessary pressure. 

Over time, they create more peace, more energy, and more time for what actually matters.

If you’d love more gentle support, simple routines, and homeschool tips that actually work in real life, I’d love to invite you to join my FREE Homeschool Newsletter

Inside, I share:

  • Practical homeschool tips for busy moms

  • Free Spanish Printables for kids

  • Simple routines and organization ideas

  • Encouragement for moms balancing homeschool, work, and family life

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Remember, you’re not behind. You’re learning what works for your family and that’s more than enough.




Maria Torres

Homeschooling, work from home and affordable home decor

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