Biblical Time Management for Moms | 4 Questions to Ask Yourself This Week

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 When we think about time management for moms, either for working moms or stay-at-home moms, our minds often jump to productivity hacks, color-coded planners, or ways to “get more done.” I’ve been there. But as a newly stay-at-home mom who’s learning to eliminate instinct to “hustle”, I’ve come to learn that managing my time well has less to do with doing more — and more to do with loving well and living intentionally.

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:37–39 (NIV)

In Matthew 22:37–39, Jesus plainly tells us the greatest commandments: love the Lord and love our neighbors. When we let love lead our time, everything else falls into place. Not perfectly—but peacefully. Ask yourself these four reflection questions to help you reset your approach to time this week.

Am I starting my day with the Lord— or with my to-do list?

It’s so easy to reach for our phones, scroll through social media, or mentally dive into the day’s chores before we’ve even gotten out of bed. But when we start in a swirl of noise (literal or via scrolls), we often stay there.

“Abide in me, and I in you.” — John 15:4

Abiding begins in the first few moments of our day. It’s not about having a perfect quiet time. It’s about inviting God into the center of your schedule. If you need help creating a better morning routine, I have a post here just for that!

Simple Shift #1:

Begin your day with five minutes of Scripture or prayer. You can do this while nursing, brushing your teeth, or sipping coffee. The key is to start with Him.

Does my schedule reflect what I value—or what others expect of me?

So often we say yes to things because we feel like we should. A homeschool co-op, a playdate, hosting a large family dinner. But God didn’t call you to live someone else’s priorities. He called you to steward your time with wisdom. And honestly, most people will not be upset with you if you have to decline sometimes. That guilt is never warranted. If you know you are not declining for selfish reasons, there is no reason to feel guilt. If you do, guilt is from the enemy, not the Holy Spirit.

There’s a balance we must master here. We absolutely should be serving others as a way to love them. However, loving others doesn’t mean we have to say “yes” to every opportunity to serve. Even as a sahm to three children 4 and under, I feel guilty if I say no to serving in some way, even if I could. But I’ve come to realize that most people do not expect a mom with three very young children to be doing everything. 

In chatting with some older and wiser women in my bible study earlier this year, they gently reminded me that my children are my ministry. It’s OK if I have to say “no” to things in this season. My time to serve with greater frequency will come later once my children are grown. This is not a free pass to never serve. It’s a simple reminder that it really is OK if you are in a season of primarily needing to serve your family. 

If you’ve struggled with guilt when it comes to serving, I’d recommend reading this short post about new moms serving in ministry. I found it really helpful and it echoed a lot of what the older women in my bible study group were saying.

Simple Shift #2:

Revisit your values. Are you giving your best energy to what matters most in this season? Try writing down your top 3 current priorities and compare them with how you typically spend the day.

Am I loving my neighbors—especially the little ones in my home?

As moms, our “neighbors” are often 3 feet tall and call us ‘Mama’. The heart behind time management for moms isn’t to squeeze in more chores or projects, but to create margin for what matters: connection, presence, and love.

Simple Shift #3:

Create one intentional moment today where you are fully present with each child: a snuggle, a story, playing a board game, making a snack together. Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an intentional act.

P.S. If you need an easy snack idea to make with kids, these easy no bake peanut butter and jelly bars are a favorite in our home!

Am I caring for myself as someone God also loves?

You are not just a mother. You are a child of God. Your needs—spiritually, mentally, physically—matter. Many mamas, struggling with caring for themselves. If you’re struggling with SAHM burnout, this post should help with giving you more ideas on how to overcome it.

Simple Shift #4:

Schedule 15 minutes this week to do something restorative. This could be reading a Psalm, going for a walk, journaling, reading a good book (one of my favorites right now is Hard Is Not the Same Thing As Bad), or taking a warm bath with your favorite salts. It’s not selfish to care for your temple. You are to be a good steward of every gift the Lord provides and your health and well-being is one of those.

Words of Encouragement

Mama, you don’t need to do more. You need to draw closer. Closer to the Lord. Closer to your loved ones. 

Time management for moms isn’t about perfect plans—it’s about purposeful presence. Ask yourself these four questions this week and let grace—not guilt—guide your daily rhythms. If you want more faith-filled tools for stewarding your time, join the waitlist for my 5-Day Biblical Time Management Challenge for moms. Be the first to know when it drops. In the meantime, you’ve got this, Mama. And even more than that — He’s got you. ♥️

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Don’t forget this post so you can come back and reference it anytime you’re struggling with time management and need a reminder that you don’t need to do more 🫶🏻