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Time Blocking for Moms: How I Plan My Week (and Keep My Sanity)
Being a stay-at-home mom is a beautiful, chaotic, exhausting full-time job. Between dishes, diaper changes, school pickups, and maybe a side hustle or two, your day can feel like one long to-do list you never quite finish.
If you’ve ever ended a day wondering what did I even do today?, this post is for you.
I’m a stay-at-home mom who also runs an online business — and time blocking is what keeps me afloat. Not perfectly, not always beautifully, but with much more intention and peace. And the best part? You don’t need fancy tools or paid planners. You can do this with free apps and a little weekly rhythm.
Let me show you how I time block my week — including the messy parts, the mom hacks, and how you can grab a free template to make it your own.
Introduction: Why I Turned to Time Blocking (Hint: Mom Brain)
I used to try planning my days with endless to-do lists. I had sticky notes on the fridge, a planner on the table, alarms on my phone — and yet, nothing felt like it was getting done.
The mental load of motherhood is real, and traditional planning didn’t work for me. I needed a visual, flexible system that gave structure without guilt.
Enter: time blocking.
Instead of listing 500 things and hoping I’d magically finish them all, I now create blocks of time each week that are assigned to the most important areas of my life: family, work, rest, chores, and connection.
And it works — even when the toddler throws a tantrum and the laundry eats the living room.
What is Time Blocking?
Time blocking is a simple planning method where you divide your day (or week) into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or category.
Think of it like budgeting — but for your hours instead of your money.
Instead of reacting to the chaos of the day, you plan your energy and attention beforehand, so even when life gets messy (which it will), you can return to a structure that serves you.
Example:
7:00–9:00 AM – Morning routine + kids breakfast
9:00–11:00 AM – Focus block (housework or client work)
11:00–12:00 PM – Outside play + lunch prep
12:00–2:00 PM – Nap time (you work or rest)
2:00–5:00 PM – Errands / family time
7:00–9:00 PM – Wind down / business tasks / spouse time
You can customize it to your life stage, kids’ ages, nap schedules, work needs, and personal priorities.
How It Works for Moms: The Real-Life Version
I’m not here to give you a perfectly color-coded schedule that only works in theory.
Let’s be real: when you’re home with kids, flexibility matters. But so does structure.
Here’s why time blocking works especially well for stay-at-home moms:
✔ It reduces decision fatigue
You don’t have to figure out what to do in every spare moment. You’ve already decided.
✔ It helps you prioritize
Instead of squeezing work between everything else, you make space for it — intentionally.
✔ It builds routines
Blocks become anchors in your day. Kids thrive on predictable rhythms, and so do we.
✔ It creates breathing room
You can block time for rest, reading, and even scrolling — guilt-free.
My Weekly Time Blocking Template
Here’s a breakdown of how I plan my week, using a mix of Google Calendar, Notion, and sometimes Trello for recurring tasks and project planning.
🗓 Tools I Use:
Google Calendar (Free): My main visual time blocker
Notion (Free plan): Weekly planning hub + brain dump
Trello (Free): Great for managing household systems, shopping lists, and workflows
My 5 Main Time Block Categories:
Home Base – Housework, errands, meal prep, laundry
Family Time – Reading, playtime, school, outside time
Creative Work – Blog writing, business tasks, content
Quiet Time – Nap time, journaling, prayer, reading
Admin + Planning – Finances, appointments, emails
Sample Weekly Overview (Flexible Template):
Weekend blocks are looser: more family outings, deep cleaning, or rest.
Dealing with Distractions (aka Real Life with Kids)
No plan survives a toddler meltdown.
So, how do you stick to time blocks when life goes sideways? Here’s what’s worked for me:
💡 1. Use Buffer Blocks
Always leave “empty” space between key blocks. You’ll use them for catch-up, snuggles, or spills (literal and figurative).
💡 2. Time Block Tasks, Not Just Time
If “9–11 AM = Housework,” list 2-3 top priorities: laundry, dishes, floors. Keep it realistic.
💡 3. Include Breaks
Block in rest, coffee, or five minutes of quiet. Burnout happens when we overschedule.
💡 4. Use Visual Cues
I color-code my Google Calendar:
Green = Family
Blue = Work
Pink = Self-care
Yellow = Chores
You’ll get used to recognizing balance (or lack thereof) at a glance.
💡 5. Batch What You Can
Instead of doing laundry daily, I batch it on Monday. Same with meal prep Friday afternoons or blog writing during nap times.
Free Tools I Use (and How I Use Them)
Here are my top tools — all free — and how I use them together.
🧩 Google Calendar
Main weekly overview
Color-coded blocks for every category
Alerts so I remember to switch tasks
🧩 Notion
Weekly planner template (linked below!)
Running brain dump list
Business content calendar
Gratitude journal + monthly goals
🧩 Trello
Household dashboards: chores, meals, budget
Family routines board
Visual progress tracker for goals
👉 You can absolutely start with just Google Calendar and build from there.
Want My Time Blocking Template? 🎁
I’ve put together a free downloadable Time Blocking Template Kit for moms, including:
✅ My Weekly Planning Template (Notion & Printable PDF)
✅ Sample Time Block Categories
✅ 20+ block ideas (for work, rest, kids, meals, etc.)
✅ Google Calendar setup instructions
✅ BONUS: My Daily “Anchor Block” Method
🔽 Grab it here: [Insert opt-in link or form] 🔽
(Just enter your email and I’ll send it straight to your inbox!)
You can customize it to match your life, schedule, and goals — even if every week looks different.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve a Week That Works for You
Time blocking doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly become a superhuman mom who finishes every task perfectly on time.
It just means you’re showing up with intention — giving yourself structure, grace, and permission to prioritize what matters most.
Whether you’re juggling toddlers or teens, starting a business or surviving nap jail, time blocking gives you back mental space — and that’s a game-changer.
Quick Recap: How to Start Time Blocking Today
✅ Identify your core categories (home, family, work, etc.)
✅ Choose your tool (Google Calendar, Notion, paper planner)
✅ Block out the week — start with anchor points
✅ Add buffer time + breaks
✅ Download the free template to make it easier
✅ Adjust weekly — this is a flexible system
From one mom to another:
You’re already doing a lot. Time blocking doesn’t add pressure — it removes chaos. Give it a try this week. Start simple. Celebrate small wins. And don’t forget to rest — it’s a block worth protecting.
👉 Want the free template? Click here to get it now!
Includes both a printable PDF and Notion version — so you can start today, even during nap time.
Let me know if you’d like this blog post turned into:
A PDF freebie for download
A Notion template ready to duplicate
Social media graphics for Pinterest or Instagram
I’m happy to help build those next!
