Blocking Schedule For Working Moms………Okay, hear me out: I once thought time blocking was some fancy CEO trick that only worked if you had a personal assistant and a color-coded calendar designed by NASA. Like, how the hell is a working mom—who’s juggling laundry, Zoom calls, and a toddler screaming about dinosaurs—supposed to “block time”?
But here’s the twist: time blocking literally saved my sanity. Not in a “my life is perfect now” way (spoiler, it’s not), but in a “I don’t cry every morning over my to-do list” way. And if you’re a working mom trying to figure out when the hell to eat breakfast, answer Slack messages, and maybe—just maybe—pee in peace, then this whole “best time blocking schedule for working moms” thing might just work for you too.
Why Time Blocking Actually Works (Even in Queens)
So, I live in Queens. Which means the soundtrack of my life is traffic, kids yelling outside, and the occasional ice cream truck playing a tune that will haunt me forever. Chaos. Pure chaos.
And yet, when I started time blocking, something magical happened. My brain stopped spinning like a fidget spinner on Red Bull. Instead of constantly thinking “Should I do dishes or emails or laundry or that report or oh crap did I sign the permission slip??”, I had a plan.
Not perfect. Not Instagram-worthy. But mine.
My Messy Version of Time Blocking
Let me be real with you: my calendar looks like a rainbow threw up on it. I’m talking pink for kids, blue for work, yellow for “me” (lol, as if), and green for chores. And you know what? It works.
Here’s a rough sketch of how I block my days. (Yes, it changes when kids are sick or the subway breaks down or I just can’t even.)
Morning Chaos (6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.)
- Kid wrangling: Breakfast, backpacks, “Where’s my left shoe?” meltdown.
- Coffee time: Non-negotiable. If you try to talk to me before coffee, that’s on you.
- Quick reset: 10 minutes to check emails so my boss doesn’t think I ghosted.
Work Mode 1 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
- Big brain stuff here. Reports, writing, anything that requires actual focus.
- Phone goes on “Do Not Disturb.” (Kids’ school is the only exception—because, well, mom life.)
Lunch + Life Stuff (12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)
- Shove food in my mouth.
- Maybe fold laundry or pay bills.
- Occasionally, I just scroll TikTok because self-care, right?
Work Mode 2 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)
- Meetings, emails, the stuff that doesn’t require me to be a genius but still needs doing.
- Sometimes I sneak in a walk around the block if I feel like I’m turning into a desk zombie.
Kid Pickup + Homework Madness (4:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
- School pickup. Snack time. Homework battles. Dinner chaos.
- Pro tip: block it out. Don’t try to work during this window unless you enjoy stress-induced headaches.
Evening Reset (7:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
- Family time. Or at least pretending it’s family time while also cleaning up spaghetti from the walls.
- Maybe squeeze in laundry (again).
Me Time (9:00 – 10:30 p.m.)
- This is when I “plan” to do yoga or read a book. Sometimes it happens. Usually, it’s Netflix.
The Real Secret? Flexibility: Blocking Schedule For Working Moms
Here’s the thing: time blocking isn’t about sticking to your schedule like a drill sergeant. It’s about giving your brain fewer choices in the moment.
Like, if it’s 10 a.m. and my block says “write,” I don’t waste 20 minutes deciding whether to clean the fridge or answer emails. I just… write. Or at least I try.
But if a kid gets sick? Or the school calls about a “small emergency” (translation: someone forgot their lunch)? You shift. The blocks move. Life goes on.
Tips That Kept Me From Quitting
- Start small. Don’t block every second. Try blocking mornings first.
- Color-code. Makes it weirdly satisfying, like adult coloring.
- Add buffer zones. If you don’t, you’ll always run late. (Ask me how I know.)
- Block downtime. Seriously. If you don’t schedule rest, you won’t get it.
A Real Talk Moment
One time, I tried to time block a “perfect day.” Woke up early, meditated, made my kids eggs shaped like hearts. (Yes, I went full Pinterest mom for about 12 hours.)
By noon, the eggs were on the floor, the laundry was still in the washer (smelling funky), and my son was crying because I cut his sandwich wrong. I cried too.
But you know what? That day still had wins. I stuck to my morning work block and got an important project done. Time blocking doesn’t mean everything works out—it means something works out. And sometimes, that’s enough.
Why Moms Need This More Than Anyone
Working moms don’t get free time handed to them. We don’t get quiet mornings or long afternoons unless we fight for them. Time blocking is that fight. It’s saying, “Hey, I matter too. My work matters too. My sanity matters.”
And honestly? Having those blocks makes me a better mom. Because when I’m in “kid block,” I can be present. I’m not thinking about emails. And when I’m in “work block,” I’m not (usually) stressing about dinner.
Final Messy Thoughts about Blocking Schedule For Working Moms
So, yeah. The best time blocking schedule for working moms? It’s the one that gives you permission to focus on one thing at a time, and also permission to throw the whole plan out the window when life explodes.
Some days I nail it. Some days it looks like my calendar was a suggestion more than a rule. But either way, I’m less scattered. Less guilty. More human.
And maybe that’s the point.
