Any busy parent knows that time management for SAHMs is a must if you want to get anything done. Babies, children, and even teenagers take a lot of time and attention. Parenting can be overwhelming. If you’re trying to study, work, or do anything else while caring for your kids, it can seem impossible. Check out our favorite tips to find time for your own activities while staying home with your little ones. Whether you’re looking for ways to make money as a stay-at-home mom, need time to study, or just want to take a break, explore time management for SAHMs to improve your work-life balance.
Work During Nap Time
Nap time is a magical opportunity for everyone in the house to rest and recharge. If you’re lucky enough to have napping children at home, feel free to get some work done while they sleep. Keep your study materials in the same place so you can start working once your little one drifts off.
We admit that working during nap time isn’t a new concept. Busy moms have always used nap time to catch up on housework, make meals, do laundry, or even catch some z’s themselves. Consider this your permission to spend nap time on something for your benefit, not something for the entire family. The laundry and dishes can wait. If you’re not sleeping during naps, spend this time building your career.
Self-Guided Play Time
Children of all ages can benefit from self-directed play. There are age-appropriate ways for any child to occupy themselves, from infants all the way up to teenagers. Self-guided play helps children learn new skills, explore unique interests, become self-sufficient, and flex their imaginations.
Explore these self-guided activities for all stages:
- Infants: activity mats, soft books, toys with mirrors, bouncers with hanging toys
- Toddlers: sorting games, musical toys, supervised food play, coloring books
- Preschoolers: sensory boxes, pretending, dress-up, blocks
- Elementary age: playing outside, reading, sports, Legos, character toys
- Tweens: photography, personalizing clothes, arts & crafts, board games
- Teens: journalling, visiting friends, making future plans, playing an instrument
“But I’m bored!” Do your kids complain they’re bored when they don’t have a structured activity, TV show, or device to enjoy? Don’t worry: they’ll be fine. Being bored is actually a valuable part of growing up. Kids can be amazingly creative when they find ways to entertain themselves.
Play Dates
Playing with other kids is a fantastic way to build social skills, experience new situations, and learn about the world. Even babies benefit from seeing other infants, so you can schedule playdates at any time.
Playdates are great for parents as well. If you need to add positive experiences to your time management for SAHMs, playdates let you spend time with other moms. You can compare notes, socialize, and support each other through this special time in your life.
Playdates are also a good opportunity for working or studying with children. You’re not the only mom in your school, training program, or workplace. Ask the other parents in your circle to join you for a combo study date and play date. The kids can enjoy themselves while the grown-ups get some work done.
Outdoor Time
Looking for a chance to study or make money as a SAHM? Find room in your schedule by sending the kids outside. There are lots of benefits to playing outside such as improved physical fitness, an appreciation for nature, increased self-esteem, and more.
We know that going outside isn’t always easy. Depending on your climate, living situation, neighborhood, and other situations, you might not feel comfortable sending the kids outside on their own. Young children shouldn’t play outside unsupervised, no matter how safe the environment is. Here are some options you might be able to make work:
- Visiting a local park, playground, or splash pad
- Playing on the porch or balcony
- Bundle up for cold-weather activities
- Splash in water when it’s hot
- Play in indoor common areas like playscapes or lobbies
Audiobooks And Podcasts
Children of all ages love listening to stories. (Adults do, too. Think about how popular podcasts are!) Kids also enjoy benefits from being read to, including bigger vocabularies, cognitive development, and complex language skills. You can keep your kids happily occupied with a story while you get some work done. Just turn on an audiobook or kid-friendly podcast to get started.
Audiobooks are recordings of books being read out loud. Listening to an audiobook is just like listening to someone read to you in person. Audiobooks are read by professional voice actors for an amazing listening experience. The narrators “do the voices,” which is something that kids always enjoy. Some titles even have sound effects to make the story come to life. Look for audiobooks from your local library or wherever you buy books.
Podcasts are like radio broadcasts for modern listeners. These programs usually have a theme as well as regular narrators. Kid-friendly podcasts cover science, storytelling, comedy, and other fun topics.
The next time you need to keep the kids occupied, turn on an audiobook or podcast for them to enjoy. You can get some work done while you all listen along.
Time Management During Chores
One of the best tips we’ve seen for time management for SAHMs is to teach your children what to expect during chores. For example, your toddler might know that it’s time to play with empty baskets while you fold laundry. Or maybe they park themselves on the kitchen floor with some blocks while you cook. You might also turn on a favorite TV show or movie to keep the kids busy while you get ready.
This habit is a great way to help the home run smoothly. It gives your kids a routine, teaches them what to expect, and helps you get some work done.
Once you have these habits in place, make the most of them! Bring your school materials with you while you work on something else. Your kids already know how to occupy themselves. You can multitask by watching online videos, catching up on reading, or even writing assignments while you work on something else.
Screentime Tips For Time Management
Most modern kids get screen time every day. This is a normal trend seen by families around the world. Whether your children watch TV, play on a tablet, “borrow” your phone, or all of the above, they’re just mimicking what the adults around them do.
Toddlers and older children can enjoy a few hours of screen time a day, which is a good time for you to get some work done. Try hanging out as a family during screen time. Even if you have headphones on to watch a video or help you concentrate, your kids will love spending time together.
Learn More About Time Management for SAHMs with These References
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2020, February). Screen Time and Children. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
Kinser, K. (2019, May). Rocking and rolling. fresh air, fun, and exploration: Why outdoor play is essential for healthy development. National Association for the Education of Young Children. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2019/outdoor-play-is-essential
Massaro, D. W. (2017). Reading aloud to children: Benefits and implications for acquiring literacy before schooling begins. The American Journal of Psychology, 130(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.5406/amerjpsyc.130.1.0063
Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R. M., Baum, R., Gambon, T., Lavin, A., Mattson, G., Wissow, L., Hill, D. L., Ameenuddin, N., Chassiakos, Y. (L., Cross, C., Boyd, R., Mendelson, R., Moreno, M. A., Radesky, J., Swanson, W. S., … Smith, J. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2058
