Prioritizing yourself and your health when you become a mom requires maximum efficiency and some creativity! These are some strategies that I wish I had implemented earlier. Whatever stage of motherhood you’re in, you might find one of these mom hacks inspiring.
Prioritizing yourself and especially your health is often one of the last priorities when you are thrust into motherhood. I feel like I was constantly learning new “tricks” or figuring out what worked for me and my preferences.
Some of these strategies I probably don’t necessarily use much but another mom might. It’s all about what works for you! Find small strategies that will help you prioritize your health and self-care because it’s so important.
1. Kitchen Hacks for Quick & Easy Meals
The number one complaint from moms all over the world? Cooking dinner! Every single night. With children you have to feed, providing way more distractions. It’s super tough sometimes.
Meal Planning
I wish I had made a binder full of the easiest, most delicious meals before I went into postpartum. Meals that I could have thrown together in the morning and not have to cook dinner at night.
Or, a list of high protein meals that require mimimal to no cooking at all – like yogurt bowls, overnight oats, or thrown together power bowls.
The “throw together” power bowl is one of my favorite ways to prepare a healthy, quick meal. Utilize fresh or frozen vegetables, canned beans and legumes for protein and fiber, microwavable grains, and rotisserie chicken for the ultimate easy meal.
To add flavor, just use a store-bought sauce, different herbs, dressings, spices – the sky is the limit!
Resources for Easy Post-Partum Meals:
- Postpartum Meal Train Ideas – this is a post for other peope to make meals for their postpartum mom friends, however, all of these meals and snacks are ideal for that postpartum life. From multi-serving meals to healthy breastfeeding snack ideas.
- Freezer-Friendly Meal Plan with Grocery List. 6 freezer-friendly meals that you can prep prior to when your baby is born so that you already have prepped meals in your freezer.
- Protein Bowl Recipes – a more in-depth overview of easy, throw together bowls.
Sheet Pan and Slow Cooker Meals
Make a list (or put in your binder) of super easy go-to sheet pan dinner and slow cooker recipes. Or, you could use the below infographic to use up what you have on hand.
If you batch cook chicken at the beginning of the week (more on this in the next paragraph), there are so many dump-and-go casserole recipes you can make with it. Or, buy a rotisserie chicken.
30-Minute Sunday Reset
Tell your husband you need 30-minutes to do a quick meal prep component. This Sunday (or whatever day) reset prioritizes just a few items that will make the rest of your week easier.
This is the best strategy to have quick, grab-and-go items in the fridge when you don’t have time to cook!
Even just having already washed and cut up vegetables available means you’re more likely to chooose them for a snack or add them to your dinner (with less chopping).
There are so many small tasks that can be done in 30-minutes: set a timer, make a list of what you’re going to prep, and get to it. Multi-task and you will be shocked at how much you can get done. I know this because I do it a lot!
For example, I love to make a huge pot of rice or quinoa for the week (or, I will freeze what I won’t use that week), wash and chop fresh fruit, make a fruit salad, prep two easy yogurt bowls, overnight oats, and a high protein savory dip.
I will also wash and chop peppers, onions, carrots, tomatoes, and whatever other veggies I bought for the week. This all takes 30-minutes because you can have the rice cooking while you are prepping other things and it makes the rest of the week SO much easier!
Above is an example “checklist” of different ideas you could prep. For more ideas and recipes with blank meal planning templates, read Meal Prep But Make It Easy.
Anything that is going to make dinner prep less stressful!
Frozen Dinners for Lunch
I cooked myself breakfast and dinner almost everyday with young kids – but lunch? Nope, I had zero energy.
In fact, I ate a frozen meal everyday for lunch for a long time. There is no shame in that! Especially since I know what to look for in one.
Read the nutrition labels for a frozen meal that has at least 20 grams of protein and 800 mg of sodium or less! Or, check out my list of High Protein Frozen Meals where I already did the hard work of reading nutritional labels.
Smoothies are also a quick, convenient option for lunch but require a little more prep and cleanup. However, I like how smoothies are an easy way to prioritize a higher protein meal and get in some of my fruit consumption.
Double or Triple and Freeze Method
If you know you’re cooking chicken, rice, quinoa for dinner that night… why not double or triple it, freeze in portions for your family, and save time in the future?
Most of my friends don’t think to do this, however, most items are safe in the freezer for up to 3 months. You’re already doing the work to prep and cook the item(s), so why not just cook a bit more?
Then, thaw in the fridge 24 hours prior to when you plan to cook it. Reheat in the microwave.
In Fact, Freeze Everything
The freezer is your best friend! This needs to be emphasized.
Say you have people over for pizza and there are multiple pieces left. Freeze it! That’s an easy lunch or dinner for your kids! Write a date for 3 months on a zip-loc bag.
My friends look at me like I am crazy but I am really passionate about this one: freeze everything. You never know when you will need it.
Leftovers from dinner –> easy lunch in the next 3 months. Extra lentils that you cooked? Freeze it for a healthy lentil salad in the future. Excessive amount of meatballs made? Freeze them! Easy lunch for your kids or a simple dinner, too.
Snack Stations for Kids
You know how kids never, ever stop asking for snacks? All day long?
One of the easiest ways to cut down on constant snack requests (and give yourself a little breathing room) is by setting up a kid-friendly snack station. Designate a spot in the fridge and/or pantry where kids can access pre-approved snacks without needing your help every time.
Use bins, baskets, or drawer organizers to keep everything in one place. This simple setup promotes independence, helps kids learn about healthy choices, and makes your life a lot easier—especially during busy afternoons or while you’re making dinner.
What to Include
Think balanced and easy: string cheese, yogurt tubes, fruit pouches, cut-up veggies with dip, whole grain crackers, mini muffins, or trail mix. You can even label the bins with simple categories like “Protein,” “Fruit/Veggie,” or “Treat” so kids can mix and match.
Refresh it once a week during your grocery haul or meal prep time (could be during your 3-minute Sunday reset). It takes just a few minutes but saves you from fielding 20 snack questions a day.
Bonus: this also works for lunch-packing if you’re short on time in the mornings! Take 10-minutes earlier in the week to portion out snacks into zip-log bags or even make snack boxes.
I actually just started this recently and my kids are not quite used to it yet. Let me tell you, though: I wish I had done this a lot sooner!
Keep a No Prep Healthy Snack and Meal List
Keep track of no prep, easy, healthy snacks by making a list. This could be go-to ideas for you and for your kids as well. Again, you could put this in your binder or on your fridge.
These options could be a part of your 30-minute Sunday prep. Or, see my next recommendation below!
Meal Prep WITH Your Kids
Can’t figure out a good time to prep healthy snacks or batch cook? Why not involve your kids, then!
Yes, it will likely result in more of a mess to clean up. However, I know my kids love to cook with me. It’s multi-tasking at its’ finest: allowing you to prep healthy meals or snacks, bonding with your children, and making your life easier for the rest of the week.
The best part, though, is that kids are more likely to try new and different foods if they help with creating it. I have an entire post about this plus a bunch of different recipes to try: Meal Prep with Kids.
2. Laundry & Cleaning Hacks
Don’t Save Laundry for Just One Day
I hate to say it but instead of letting dirty clothes accumulate until it starts to feel extremely overwhelming, aim to wash one small or medium load each day – morning or night, if that works for you.
Even if it is not everyday, try to split it up so it’s not like you are doing laundry all day long come Sunday! This approach not only saves time overall- since smaller loads dry faster and fold more quickly – but also keeps your family’s wardrobe ready to go, even on those busiest mornings.
Set a Timer: Declutter in 5-Minute Bursts
If you are anything like me, you might feel overwhelmed or overstimulated when there is just tons of crap everywhere. At the same time, though, you also might feel like there is just no time (or you have no energy) to declutter.
Enter: the timer method. Set a timer for 5-minutes, turn on your favorite song, and then stop when the timer is up. I promise even just a short time of clean up will 1) motivate you and 2) make you feel so much better afterwards!
The timer method is actually very helpful for nightly cleaning or whatever you want to use it for. I like break up the cleaning duties for the week and instead set a timer for 20-minutes every night. It just feels a lot less overwhelming and it’s fun!
3. Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Mornings
Simplify Breakfast
Keep some go-to items or already prepped breakfasts in the fridge to grab-and-go on busier mornings. Overnight oats, chia pudding, egg muffins, or yogurt parfaits are all quick to prep in advance and easy to eat.
Meal prep breakfast or, again,
Create a Bag of Items for the Car
I have a van and so there is quite a lot of good storage where I keep some essentials: extra wipes, paper towels, extra clothes (or diapers), plastic bags, and shelf-stable snacks. Even small toys for entertaining in traffic or whenever you might need it!
Make a Morning Playlist or Timer Routine
Quite frankly, I don’t do this enough but there is just something about having music playing during hectic mornings that lightens the mood a bit. Or, it just makes things feel more overstimulated. Either way, it might be worth a try!
Or, you could set small timers to keep you and your kids on task. Like “5-minutes to brush teeth and hair” then move on to making lunches.
If you are in the baby stages, music can make all the difference in the monotony of newbown life. It helps with loneliness and mood, I think!
4. Self-Care Hacks for Moms
- Use screen time to your advantage. If you really need help getting things done or doing an at-home workout, that is the time to utilize screen time.
- Or, try the “Yes” basket. A special bin of small toys, stickers, or puzzles they can only use when you really need 10 minutes.
- Audiobooks & podcasts for kids – A great alternative to screen time for quiet moments.
- DIY Activity Stations. Rotate simple activities like coloring, kinetic sand, or building blocks to keep things fresh.
Habit Stacking
Multi-tasking, efficiency: moms are the best at this. We have to be! So, habit stacking is a simple strategy where you take something you already do consistently (like making coffee or brushing your teeth) and “stack” a new, helpful habit onto it.
This takes advantage of your brain’s existing routines, making the new habit feel automatic over time.
Why It Works for Moms:
You don’t need to carve out extra time – you’re just piggybacking on something you already do. It might allow you to fit more into your day.
Habit Stacking Ideas
I watch Netflix or play podcasts or an audiobook while I am cooking dinner or doing the dishes. Some of these, though, I definitely want to try! Think of 1-2 small habits that you would like to do more of and start there.
- While your coffee brews → do a 1-minute stretch or deep breathing.
- After buckling your child in the car seat → say one thing you’re grateful for out loud.
- After brushing your teeth → floss one tooth (yes, just one—you’ll usually keep going).
- While waiting for the shower to warm up → do 10 squats or a mindfulness check-in.
- After putting your kids to bed → prep one thing for tomorrow (lunches, coffee pot, clothes).
- Before scrolling on your phone → drink a full glass of water.
- When you open the fridge → grab a veggie to snack on or prep.
- After school drop-off → go for a 5-minute walk or do one productive thing for you.
- While you’re doing dishes → watch your favorite Netflix show on your phone or on an iPad.
- When you are waiting for the water to boil → jumping jacks, squats, or push-ups in the kitchen!
One thing I have learned, though, from doing a little too much habit stacking: don’t do too much at once or it does lead to overstimulation. If you recognize the signs
Work Hard, Rest Hard
Ok, this one might not be for everyone but it is definitely “my mantra”. I am a true believer in working really hard so I have that time to actually lay down and do whatever I want.
For me, this means being non-stop from 6:00 am to about 1:00 pm. Then, 1-3 is my rest time. Each individual’s schedule will be different, however, that self-care and relaxation will be well-deserved!
If you’re maximizing each minute of your day, practicing habit stacking and being efficient then this can work! A warning, though: doing too much at one time can contribute to overstimulation.
This will allow you some time for self-care which is NOT selfish when you’re a mom – it’s necessary.
One of my friends once asked me ‘Alex, I don’t understand how you do it all – work, workout, read books and stay up on reality TV”. And, really, it all comes down to multi-tasking.
Set Your Expectations a Little Lower
I wish I could go back in time and just tell myself this one. For awhile, I had these high expectations that everything would be put away in my house every single night.
I actually went into our playroom and cleaned it up at night – until one day, I just said “I can’t do it anymore!”. So, instead, I picked 1-2 areas of the house and neglected the playroom. Instead of doing it every night, I did it 2-3 times a week.
Pick and choose your battles, otherwise, you will feel way too overwhelmed – and this is especially true with two or more kids.
Stay Organized
Getting your thoughts out on paper or in the notes app of your iphone may help you stay on top of things. Whether you have a meal planner, a journal for your daily thoughts, or just make lists on a pieces of paper – it’s really about figuring out what works for you.
I am a list maker. I will even make 2-3 lists per day after there are too many scribbles on my initial list for the day. Break down your list into categories: self-care, meal prep, kids, miscellaneous… however you want to do it!
Even the smallest of lifestyle changes can add up and make a big difference for your overall health and sanity. I hope one of these strategies resonated with you. Feel free to share your favorite ‘hack’ in the comments!