Mom’s Ultimate List of Time-Management Resources

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. That is why time management is so important. Ironically it is the area most moms struggle the most. There are thousands of amazing free resources out there to help you out. The problem is that you don’t have the time to scour the internet for them. If you had that kind of free time you wouldn’t need the resources to begin with. That’s why I’ve created the ultimate list of time-management resources for you. Find the resources you need itemized by category to save you time and get your job done. My friend, for example, got into a bit of a housing dilemma and decided to hire a skip to move all of the rubbish out of her house. Because believe me it was a real mess! She decided to look into rubbish bin hire and she is really glad she did! It helped he manage everyhing a lot easier.

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

[bctt tweet=”Boss your time around with the ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.” username=”diyadulation”]

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

To-Do List

5 Tips to Dominate Your To-Do List

Dominating your to-do list doesn’t have to be hard. Find out my 5 easy tips to do it right here.

3 Tips to Catch Up on Your To-Do List

These tips from Laina at lainaturner.com are fabulous! She has a straight-forward way of kicking your behind in gear and helping you finally get caught up on your to-do list. (Disclaimer: there is some foul language on her site but it is still 100% worth your time to read.)

10 Ways to Get Ahead Even When You’re Already Late

Let’s be fair. We all get behind sometimes. We take on more than we can handle or it is simply a busy time of year. No matter the reason, Momprenuer on Fire can help. I need number one as a reminder every day.

6 Tips to Help You Cross More Items off Your To-Do List

If there is anyone who knows a little something about the importance of time management it is Sharon at momof6.com! She has 6 tips to help you out and they are all fabulous. Scheduling social media time, anyone? Be inspired by a mom who is truly doing it all.

Free Printable To-Do List

Sometimes managing your to-do list is as simple as writing it down. If you need a pretty printable to motivate you then check out this free one from Leslie at LambertsLately.com.

How to Organize a Master To-Do List with a Brain Dump

Do you have a master to-do list? Find out why you need one as well as how to create it with these awesome tips from Kelli at 3boysandadog.com!

How to Get More Done: Work Smarter Not Harder

Shonee at hawthorneandmain.com has great points to help you balance your to-do list. Find out about how she uses time-blocking to get it all done.

31 Ways to Get More Done

If you have time to delve in and really explore, these 31 ideas from Raki at outsidetheboxmom.com are inclusive. With so much juicy content you’ll want to pour yourself a glass of wine while you explore all she has to offer here.

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

Evenings

Establishing Your Evening Routine

What I love most about this post from Natalie at refinedroomsllc.com is that she doesn’t just focus on your routine. As a mom you are largely in charge of the entire family’s routines and she includes tips to help you manage them all.

6 Evening Rituals that Guarantee a Stress-Free Morning

Kara at Everyday Victories has great ideas for your evening to make your mornings better. I struggle the most with her tip for having a set bedtime (and not just for your kids) but it is true that it can seriously makeover your mornings. Get the rest of her tips here.

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

Mornings

Create a Morning Routine that Works for You

Do you hate getting up early? Maybe you just can’t seem to get to bed early enough to pull it off. Either way, I love this post from Melissa at avirtuouswoman.org because she emphasizes how to create a morning routine that works for you whether that means beating your kids to waking up or not. Only you know what works best for your family and she recognizes that.

How to Organize Your Day (For Moms)

This is another great post from Melissa at avirtuouswoman.org that covers structuring your day from morning to night. This is a fantastic resource because she includes how to structure your mornings, your cleaning schedule, and your day with kids. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

After School

Creating an Afterschool Routine

This awesome resource from Natalie at refinedroomsllc.com is made even better because her tips are paired with an awesome free printable to help keep your kids on track. She covers everything from when they walk in the door to homework time so that your afterschool routine is streamlined and easy.

After School Routine Clock

This idea from Arena at kidsactivitiesblog.com is a little different than all of the others because this is actually a DIY tutorial. However, it is too genius not to include. Kids do fantastic with visual references and this routine clock is perfect for that.

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

Meal Planning

Creating Your Meal Planning Routine

Here’s another great post from Natalie at refinedroomsllc.com. Not only does she give you a ton of tips for creating a meal planning routine, she also gives you free printables to help you do it. Quickly see your meal options and your weekly meals at a glance.

Free Printable Weekly Meal Planners

Just looking for a free printable? Emily at myloveforwords.com has just that. No fuss, no muss, just an easy freebie to get you organized.

10 Steps to Simplify Meal Planning

These steps from Melissa at avirtuouswoman.org cover everything you need to simplify your meal planning from pantry staples to prioritizing.

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

Fitness

5 Tips for Finding Time to Workout

You’ll notice that there’s only one link under this. Why? Because Heather at divasrunforbling.com pretty much covers it with these 5 tips.

My Fitness Board on Pinterest

Part of fitting fitness into your schedule is finding a routine/workout that works for you. Find 30 day challenges, playground workouts, and more on DIY Adulation’s fitness board.

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

Balance

When God Tells You to Slow Down

Part of time-management includes finding time to relax and enjoy your family. Unfortunately we don’t always take the time to do it. When that happens, God has a way of forcing you to slow down. Find out what to do when that happens.

6 Steps to Gain Control over an Unorganized Life

Another important strategy in managing your time is being organized. It’s hard to get you to-do list done when you’re spending all of your time looking for things you need. These 6 tips from Sharon at momof6.com make it easy to implement organizational systems that save you time.

8 Reasons Me Time is Important

Why is it that the first thing that always gets cut is taking care of yourself when you run out of time? That is why you need to read this post from Ash at quirkyinspired.com. She will convince you that you can’t be your best if you don’t take care with some me time.

Secret to Living Life with More Intention and Purpose

This post from Andrea at tablerpartyoftwo.com is more about how she uses her created planner to organize her life. However, I’m including it because she offers a free daily planner printable that is seriously inclusive. It includes all of the components you need to have your day organized at your fingertips.

4 Strategies to Say No Guilt-Free

I love how Kara at Everyday Victories phrases saying no at “defending your time” because that is truly what it is. Your time is a gift but moms often treat it as an obligation that we owe to other. If you need tips for how to say no then you don’t want to miss her strategies.

10 Secrets to Getting More Done as a Full-Time Blogging Mom

Although this post from Cristi at thekeeperofthememories.com is geared towards bloggers, the advice is sound for any work-at-home mom. These are great strategies to knock-out your work and still have time to spend time with your family.

$3 DIY to Save Your Sanity

Timing is everything when it comes to time management. I have found that this one secret is perfect to help your whole family manage time effortlessly.

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

Tips and Planners

Tips to Organize Your Planner

My planner is seriously my lifeline. It helps me manage my time and my to-do list. Part of why it is so effective is because of how I organize it. These tips will tell you why it’s important and how to do it.

How Creating a Routine Makes Yours Day Easier

A routine is an easy way to make sure you accomplish everything you need to in one day. Find out why this is (and how to do it) with this post from Melissa at a virtuouswoman.org.

7 Essential Habits to Instantly Become a Highly Organized Mom

This is another post that covers the basics of getting your life organized. Think of it like a mini-crash course in routine, organization, and time-management. Number 6 from Kara at Everyday Victories is my favorite but they are all fantastic!

One Step to Beating that Crazy Day

Crazy days are inevitable but this tip from Momprenuer on Fire is fantastic. The best part is that it is way easier than you think.

How to Plan Your Life without Losing Your Soul

What does it mean to plan your life without losing your sole? It means that you need to plan it all, not just work and vacations. Find out more and get a free printable to help from Debbie at debbiesinshape.com.

6 Time Management Tips to Master Your Schedule

Erin from erinshebish.com points out the importance of delegation along with 5 other amazing tips to master your schedule. Don’t think that you can’t delegate because you’re a stay-at-home mom, either. Your family needs to work together to take care of things. You may be supermom but you still can’t do it alone.

Free Planning Printables

Yes, this link is to Barb’s 2016 printable planner but I’m including it because her free goal setting and to-do list printables are incredible. See all of it over at Second Chance to Dream!

Whether you work or are a stay-at-home-mom your time is precious. Stop being overwhelmed with this ultimate list of time-management resources for busy moms.

Stop being overwhelmed and feeling like you’re getting nothing accomplished. This list is so inclusive that you can easily find what you need to stay productive as your life and goals evolve. Mom life is hectic but it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune to rock it! Utilize these free resources and be the queen of the playground set. Don’t forget to pin this for later so you can find it when you need more printables or have new tasks to conquer!

See where I’m linking up!

50 Fall Bucket List Ideas + Tips for Success

Do you love creating bucket lists? With so many ideas out there is can be overwhelming. Confession time: I have never made a bucket list of any kind. This year I’m changing that! Why? Every year there are things I want to experience with my family in a given season. Before I realize it, the season is gone and we’ve only done 1 or 2 of those things. Sound familiar? Find out why I’m taking the plunge and making a fall bucket list this year. Then, fill in your own fall bucket list with help from the 50 ideas listed below!

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

Find out why I’m taking the plunge and making a fall bucket list this year. Then, fill in your own fall bucket list with help from the 50 ideas listed!

 

[bctt tweet=”Fill in your fall bucket list with help from the 50 ideas listed here! #fall #bucketlist” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Why a Bucket List

Bucket lists are portrayed as these fun little exercises to do things you like. They are, but they are also so much more. When you make a bucket list you are setting goals. These are goals for experiences you want to share with your kids. These are goals to help push you outside of your comfort zone and grow as a person.

I love goal setting and when you look at it that way you see the point. The best part about a bucket list is that you can make any kind you want. Make an individual one, a list for couples, or a list for your family. You can also make it as finite or expansive as you like. Create a seasonal one, like the fall bucket list, or a life-long bucket list.

 

Find out why I’m taking the plunge and making a fall bucket list this year. Then, fill in your own fall bucket list with help from the 50 ideas listed!

Tips for Your Bucket List

There are a few tips to make a successful bucket list that you will actually complete. They are:

Determine WhoWho is your bucket list for? Are you setting an individual one for yourself or making one for the whole family to complete together? The “who” will define the activities and goals you put on your list.

Create a ThemeIs it a list of places you want to visit? Are you making a seasonal list? Do you want to try new things? Decide this before creating your bucket list.

Set a Time-frame – A fall bucket list is easy because it has a specific season set to complete it. Other bucket lists are not as straight forward. If creating a travel bucket list, you will need to define a time-frame, such as 5 years. This helps keep you accountable for completing it instead of continually putting it off.

Pick a NumberDon’t overload your list with more tasks/goals than you can reasonably complete in the chosen time-frame. For example, don’t make a list of 20 destinations you want to visit in 5 years if you can only realistically manage 1 trip a year.

 

Find out why I’m taking the plunge and making a fall bucket list this year. Then, fill in your own fall bucket list with help from the 50 ideas listed!

Find out why I’m taking the plunge and making a fall bucket list this year. Then, fill in your own fall bucket list with help from the 50 ideas listed!

50 Fall Bucket List Ideas

Note:

The first 12 of these ideas came from the new Create365 Seasonal Planner Stickers. They include beautiful bucket list stickers for every season. Use them to set little reminders in your planner of bucket list events!

  1. Go for a Hay Ride
  2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
  3. Eat Pumpkin Pie
  4. Read a Book
  5. Roast S’mores
  6. Carve Pumpkins
  7. Go Apple Picking
  8. Enjoy a Comfort Food
  9. Visit a Haunted House
  10. Donate to a Family in Need
  11. Watch a Scary Movie
  12. Make a Fall Craft
  13. Make a Costume
  14. Decorate Your Porch
  15. Make a Scarecrow
  16. Make Pinecone Bird Feeders
  17. Take a Walk through Your Neighborhood
  18. Drink Apple Cider
  19. Tell Ghost Stories
  20. Have a Bonfire
  21. Make a Dried Fruit Garland
  22. “Boo” Your Neighbors
  23. Have a Campout
  24. Visit a Farmer’s Market
  25. Go to a Football Game
  26. Visit a Fair
  27. Go Trick-or-Treating
  28. Visit the Library
  29. Enjoy some Candy Corn
  30. Collect Acorns
  31. Throw a Halloween Party
  32. Make Your Own Applesauce
  33. Make and Send Halloween Cards
  34. Create Leaf Rubbings
  35. Jump in a Pile of Leave
  36. Make Halloween Masks
  37. Watch Hocus Pocus
  38. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
  39. Visit a Corn Maze
  40. Start a Family Gratitude Journal
  41. Look at the Current Constellations in the Sky
  42. Plant Some Bulbs
  43. Attend an Outdoor Concert
  44. Rake a Neighbor’s Yard
  45. Research Halloween History
  46. Make DIY Potpourri
  47. Go Ziplining
  48. Explore Fall Foliage
  49. Research Local Ghost Stories

When creating your fall bucket list, make sure you keep the tips above in mind. On the free printable you will find room for 15 items and that is the maximum I recommend. Our family is only choosing 10 because I know we cannot reasonably complete 15 along with obligations already on our family calendar. What are your favorite ideas from the list? Let me know!!

See where I’m linking up!

The New Stranger Danger

A couple of weeks ago the kids and I were at the craft store shopping for supplies. Let me tell you, shopping along in any store with 3 small children is no easy feat. At one point we finished looking in one aisle and turned to go to the next. I turn around and the 2 kids not in the cart are no longer behind me. I go back to the previous aisle to tell them to scoot their booties and they’re NOT THERE! Immediately a feeling of panic washes through me and I start calling their names. Thankfully, they immediately come around the corner but, as any parent that has also and we again went over the rules for the store. It inspired me to make sure that you have the tools to keep your child safe as well and not only in the store. That is why I’m sharing these tips to protect your children from the new stranger danger.

 

You never want to believe that being abducted could happen to your child. Keep your child safe from the new stranger danger with these tips.

1. Talk Early and Often

The first way to help protect your kids is to talk to them early and often. Don’t talk only about how to prevent things like abduction. Also talk with your child about what to do in the event that someone grabs them. If you need tips for what to tell your child:

When I worked in retail, we were trained on child abductions and how to prevent them. Speed and concealment are the key factors of abduction. Many kids’ appearances are changed by quickly cutting their hair and/or clothing in the bathroom before walking them right out the door. The more difficult your child makes it on his or her attacker, the higher the chances that the abductor will move on to an easier target.

 

[bctt tweet=”Keep your child safe from the new stranger danger with these tips.” username=”diyadulation”]

 

You never want to believe that being abducted could happen to your child. Keep your child safe from the new stranger danger with these tips.

2. It Is Not About Hiding Names

When we were growing up we were warned against wearing our name on our clothing and monograms quickly went out of style. In this day and age it is really impossible to completely hide your child’s name from someone who really wants it. It can be as simple as following you around the store and listening for you to say it. In addition to that, your children get bus tags at school, names and contact information are put on team rosters, and more. Because this information is so easy to get in the digital era, it is of growing importance to teach your child how to stay safe instead of trying to conceal his or her name.

 

You never want to believe that being abducted could happen to your child. Keep your child safe from the new stranger danger with these tips.

3. Have Clear Rules

Protecting your kids from strangers is sometimes easier than protecting them from people they know. Make sure that you have clear rules in place and go over them often with your child. These rules should include:

  1. You have a boundary radius in public places such as your child not being able to go past the end of the cart in the grocery store.
  2. You child knows never to go with anyone unless it is previously discussed with you, period.
  3. Have hourly check-ins when your child is playing with friends or outside. If your child is old enough to have a phone, tell them to text you each hour. Make sure he or she knows not to tell anyone about this policy.
  4. Discuss the uniforms of workers and law enforcement when visiting a busy area or store.

4. Code Word Plan

This one is important because it helps protect your children from all predators. The concept is simple. Create a code word with your child and help them memorize it. They then do not leave school, daycare, the bus stop, or anywhere else with someone who does not know the code word. This rules needs to apply to friends, family, and strangers. Also, make sure that your child knows to never tell anyone the code word. If you want someone to know it then you will tell them. This helps protect your child from unknown threats that may also be within your social circle.

 

You never want to believe that being abducted could happen to your child. Keep your child safe from the new stranger danger with these tips.

You never want to believe that something like being abducted could happen to your child. You tell yourself things like, “That only happens to other people” or “We don’t see that stuff in our neighborhood”. The harsh reality is that it can happen to anyone, anywhere. Following the steps above will keep your child safer and that is all any parent wants. You can also find out how to make this DIY Emergency Lanyard to keep your child safe on vacations. It is always better to educate before it is too late.

See where I’m linking up!