Are you a busy mom wondering how you can be more productive while keeping up with the kids, their activities, and maintaining your home and sanity? Well, you’re reading the right blog post.

As a mom of two, I know the feeling of feeling like you’re always behind. I used to feel like I am constantly playing catch up with the kids and maintaining my home. 

They were times when the kids would wake up so early that I barely had time to get dressed for the day, had my coffee, or could even function. That’s when I knew something had to change. 

I knew if I wanted my household to be happy, which is always my primary goal, I had to find productive ways to streamline the chores and chaos included in our daily lives that would work for both the kids and me.

If you’re like me, looking for a way to be more productive and conquer the day, it is possible. Here I am going to share five stress-free and anxiety-free ways you can be more productive. These are effective habits and practices that I have observed other moms implement in their household, as have I.

6 Clever Habits of Highly Productive and Successful Moms

1. They Wake up early

The mornings were tough for me. I used to have anxiety thinking of what needed to get done before I left the house. I even had to say my positive affirmations out loud to help me get through the mornings. It was evident that I needed to develop a game plan to help decrease my morning anxiety. 

 Once the kids are up, it’s a done deal. Upon waking up, it’s all about them and what they need. That’s why getting up before the kids is so important. 

The idea behind waking up before the kids is so I can have time to pray, read a chapter in a book, use the bathroom, get dressed for the day, drink my coffee from my favorite mug with positive affirmations, and eat my breakfast. 

Yes, it is a good idea to eat breakfast before the kids are awake because the chances are that you won’t have time to eat once they are awake.

2. They use habit trackers 

I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of habit trackers! First of all, I thrive off of lists, but I did not know of such a thing as a habit tracker. Since I have discovered a habit tracker and its intent, I’ve been all in. My morning and nighttime routine have been simplified.

 This habit tracker helps me stay organized and holds me accountable for what needs to get done. Filling out my habit tracker as I am drinking my morning coffee in my favorite coffee mug helps me stay focused as well. I have noticed a decrease in my anxiety levels in the morning since I have been using this habit tracker.

I also add my evening routine and stick it to my fridge, so I know what needs to be done in the evening, especially since I’ve been so forgetful lately.

I have become so attached to my habit tracker that my husband teases me about it by saying things like, “Where’s your checklist?” or “Are you sure you’re doing things in order?” or just making the checkmark gesture. All I know is, I’ll never be without my habit tracker ever again. 

I like habit trackers so much that I have created my own. If you would like to try the habit tracker, get yours here.

3. They clean up throughout the day

The death of me was waiting until the end of the night to clean up. But, by the time kids are in bed, I am ready to pass out myself. What I have found to work is cleaning up throughout the day by picking up the toys.

Even if some of them end back up on the floor, at least it’s not all of them. I wash the dishes after each meal and don’t let them pile up. Since I have started doing this, my nighttime routine has been a breeze, and I have more time to myself. 

4. They take a self-care break

Taking a break makes a difference in how you parent throughout the day. Taking a break makes you a better parent. My 4-year old doesn’t nap anymore, but when my 17-month-old does take his nap, I give my daughter coloring pages or let her use her tablet so I can take a breather. 

And to be honest, I need that break. If I don’t get it, I can notice myself becoming impatient with the kids, and we all know that’s not good. They also need it; it helps them recharge to get back at it again.

5. They set their kids’ bedtime thirty minutes to an hour apart

Everything is more challenging with two-plus kids. When it was just my daughter, my morning and nighttime routine were minimal, but it takes extra effort with two-plus kids. 

I used to get the kids ready one after the other, but that was tiring. Now what I do is set their bedtime about an hour apart; since my daughter doesn’t take naps anymore, she ready for bed by 6:00 p.m. Right after dinner, I bathe her, and she’s ready for bed by 6:30 p.m.

My son is the hardest. Since he naps, he doesn’t always fall asleep as early as I’d like. Because of this, after my daughter is in bed, I usually rest for about half an hour before I start getting my son ready for his bed. That little half-hour break gives me time to recharge.

 6. They do a load of laundry a day

I have heard of moms having a designated laundry day. However, the thought of doing all that laundry (my two kids, husband, beddings, carpets, towels, etc.) in one day is super overwhelming and anxiety-provoking. I find it more efficient to do a load of laundry a day, but to each their own, right?

The main idea of being more productive as moms are finding innovative ways to streamline daily activities that would otherwise be daunting. 

There’s no need to add to the worries of motherhood and parenting. Decreasing stress and anxiety throughout the day are the main reasons why moms are always looking for new ways to improve their families’ lives. 

I hope you benefited from reading the different ways you and your family can be more productive. Add to the list, what are some of your favorite productive household practices?