The Simple Power of Block Scheduling: How to Get More Done (and Still Have Time for Your Kids)
Ever feel like you’re running out of time?
Wondering how anyone gets anything done while raising kids?
Maybe you’ve caught yourself whispering, “What did I even do today?”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re exactly where you need to be.
Let me share the little rhythm that changed everything for our family. It didn’t just give me more time—it gave me peace. The secret?
Block scheduling.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Not another planner hack,” hear me out. Block scheduling isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters with intention. It’s the difference between surviving the day and savoring it.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, or something in between, this system can flex around your life. It’s a tool that helps you find margin, manage your time wisely, and still have space for what really matters—your family, your faith, and your peace of mind.
This post is all about block schedule for moms and how to curate your life to accomplish it all.
What Is Block Scheduling?
Think back to high school for a moment. Remember how you had English from 9:00–10:30, then math from 10:45–12:15? You weren’t juggling everything all at once. You gave each subject its own time.
That’s the heart of block scheduling.
Instead of living life minute-to-minute, you divide your day into larger time blocks, each focused on a specific area of life.
For example:
8:00–10:00 → Morning chores and laundry
10:00–12:00 → Work or homeschooling
1:30–3:30 → Errands and appointments
4:00–6:00 → Dinner prep and family time
6:00–9:00 → Bedtime routine and relax
You give your whole self to that block—without worrying about the thousand other things waiting on your list. When the block ends, you move on with peace, not guilt.
This isn’t just time management for moms—it’s a mindset shift. It’s choosing focus over frenzy.
Why Hour-by-Hour Planning Doesn’t Work
I used to live chained to my planner. Every hour had a task.
And every day, something went wrong by 10 a.m.—a diaper blowout, a sick kid, a spilled smoothie, traffic, or just life.
Hour-by-hour scheduling is too rigid for motherhood. It assumes you can predict every moment, when really, life with little ones is unpredictable, beautiful chaos.
Block scheduling gives you structure without suffocation. It’s strong enough to keep you steady, yet flexible enough to bend when life does.
What If You Don’t Finish Everything?
Here’s the part every mom needs to hear:
You are not behind.
If you didn’t finish something in your first block, don’t panic. You’ve got options:
Slide it gently into your next block—if there’s room.
Or, add it to the same block tomorrow.
That’s the beauty of block scheduling—it’s flexible, not fragile. It gives you grace for the undone things. You’re still moving forward, block by block.
Because real life doesn’t fit into perfect squares on a planner—it flows.
The Beauty of Living “Block by Block”
When I first started, I worried it would make me feel boxed in.
But the opposite happened.
Instead of feeling scattered and behind, I felt steady.
Each block became like a deep breath of focus.
This rhythm gave me permission to be where I am. When I’m with my kids, I’m fully there. When I’m working, I can pour myself into it. When I rest, I actually rest.
Here’s what this shift brings:
Less mental clutter. You don’t waste time wondering, “What should I do next?”
More productivity. Grouping tasks means less back-and-forth chaos.
Deeper presence. You stop multitasking life and start living it.
Built-in breathing room. When the block is done, you can rest—guilt-free.
This is time management for moms who want to stop hustling and start living intentionally.
How to Create Your Own Block Schedule
If you’re ready to try it, here’s how to build a routine that actually fits your life:
1. Decide on Your Anchor Points
Anchor points are your non-negotiables—things that must happen each day.
Meals, nap times, school drop-offs, work hours, or feedings.
Example: My baby has g-tube feedings at 8:00, 10:30, 1:30, 3:30, 6:00, and 9:00.
Those are set in stone, so I build my blocks around them.
2. Group Tasks into Categories
Think of your day in themes: cooking, cleaning, errands, homeschooling, family time, rest. These are your building blocks.
3. Assign Time Blocks
Now assign chunks of 2–3 hours for each theme.
Don’t aim for perfect—just something that flows with your life.
4. Give Each Block a Focus
Each block should hold a few simple priorities.
Example: My morning block is “school drop-off and laundry.” That means take L to school, tidy breakfast dishes, start one load of laundry—and done.
No 27-item list. Just focus.
5. Let Go of the Rest
Once the block is over, move on.
If something’s undone, it gets tomorrow’s slot.
You’ll be amazed at how peaceful that mindset feels.
Sample Block Schedule for Moms
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a peek into my weekday rhythm:
7:00–9:00 → B’s first feed, breakfast, devotion, school drop-off, laundry
9:00–12:00 → B’s second feed, work, emails, reading with kids
12:00–2:00 → B’s third feed, lunch, quiet time, playroom tidy
2:00–4:00 → B’s fourth feed, outside play, one daily chore, school pickup, dinner prep
4:00–6:00 → Family time, dinner, outside play
6:00–8:00 → B’s fifth feed, baths, bedtime routines, quick tidy
8:00–9:30 → B’s sixth feed, catch-up tasks or creative work
9:30–10:00 → Unplug, prayer, and rest
Notice how it’s structured but still soft around the edges—like a rhythm, not a rule.
Optional Block Themes
You can make your schedule as unique as your home:
Unplugged Block: No screens—just reading, outside play, or games
Rest Block: Yes, this counts. Nap, journal, pray, or breathe
Focused Work Block: For deep work, chores, or school tasks
Errands Block: Batch all appointments and grocery runs together
Tips to Make It Stick
Batch errands together. One block a week for all your outings.
Build “catch-up blocks.” Overflow time once or twice a week for loose ends.
Protect your unplugged blocks. Guard family time like treasure.
Be realistic. 2–4 priorities per block max.
Grace over guilt. If today falls apart—there’s always tomorrow’s block.
The Gift of Margin
Here’s the truth: block scheduling isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most—and doing it well.
As moms, we juggle so much. And yet, God never asked us to sprint through motherhood. He invites us to walk with Him—to move through our days with rhythm, peace, and presence.
When I started living block by block, I noticed something shift in my soul.
I found margin again. Joy again. Clarity again.
You don’t have to live overwhelmed, mama.
You can breathe. You can slow down. You can live block by block—and find peace in the process.