How to Get Things Done with a Toddler – Secrets of Productive Moms

As moms, we have lots of things that need to get done each day. It can be challenging to be productive while still prioritizing time with your toddler. I’ve been there and learned how to get things done with a toddler and even have time for hobbies! I know you can get there too, so today I’m sharing my favorite tips for productivity.

When I had my first daughter, I was working full-time from home while also being a full-time stay at home mom. For the majority of the time, I didn’t have help with childcare (other than my husband on weekends and evenings when I wasn’t usually working anyway). I also took care of the house and cooked all of our meals from scratch.

It was a hard season, but I learned how to be extremely productive with kids. While it takes a little practice, once you implement these tips, you can get more done than you thought was possible without sacrificing being present for your toddler.

Accept a Slower Pace

Being a parent means that most tasks will get done at a slower pace, and that’s okay. Interruptions are just a part of life with a toddler. Even if you know you won’t have time to complete a task, you can still get started! If you wait until you know you won’t be interrupted, most things just won’t get done. Or you’ll end up staying up too late which is not a good solution either.

Involve Your Toddler in Daily Tasks

Whether it’s laundry or cooking, young kids can get involved! Even if you feel like it makes the task take a little longer, you’re still getting it done in the end. Toddlers love doing things with their parents, and they’re learning valuable life skills.

Here are some things I do to involve my toddler in daily tasks:

• Let her play in the clean laundry while I fold.
• Have her hand me dishes while I’m emptying the dishwasher.
• Keep a makeup brush just for her in my makeup bag. She gets to play with it if I do my makeup while she’s with me.
• Have her stir ingredients when I cook.

Encourage Independent Play

You don’t always have to be 100% focused on your toddler. In fact, it’s healthy for them to learn to play some on their own. If they’re not used to it, this may not last longer than a few minutes. However, it could still give you time to switch the laundry or put a few dishes into the dishwasher.

Young children will often play independently for longer if they’re in the same room with you. When you need to go to the other room, bring them and a few toys with you.

Create a Safe Home

I’m not saying you have to wrap your home in bubble wrap! However, try to create a home where young toddlers can be in another room by themselves for a little while, and you don’t have to be concerned.

For me, this meant putting up anything that could be truly dangerous, but leaving everything else. It’s usually okay if something gets broken as long as no one is hurt.

Allow Toddlers to Make Messes

Making a mess is just part of childhood! If we spend all of our time trying to keep our toddlers perfectly clean and not let them ever get into anything, that’ll be practically all we do that day.

Instead, as long as they’re safe, let them have fun making messes while you get something done. It’ll likely only take you a couple minutes to clean it up afterwards, and both you and them will have had a good time (them playing, you feeling accomplished).

While you’re cooking, let them empty a kitchen cabinet with no breakables. If you’re outside, let them play in a puddle. Did they just discover a new drawer with things that don’t break and won’t hurt them? Let them go through it for a while.

Toddlers love doing these types of things, and, in the end, it’ll save you time and stress!

Strategically Schedule Snacks

Snacking toddlers are happy toddlers! I like to plan snacks for times I have to be doing something. For example, during afternoon snack is my favorite time to get dinner going.

Minimize Distractions

If you truly want to get as much done as possible, you’ll need to reduce distractions. I don’t mean quit everything you enjoy, but choose to stop doing the things that don’t add to your life in a positive way.

For me, that means not spending time using personal social media. However, that could be something totally different for you. We all need things that we find relaxing, but we need to make sure they’re serving their purpose well.

What Not To Do

While these things can help you get more done, I don’t recommend making them a daily habit. Try to save them for busier or more stressful days.

Save your to-do list for when your toddler is sleeping – You’ll be so much happier and relaxed if this time is strictly your personal time. It’s a great time to read, exercise, watch something, spend time with your spouse, or work on a hobby!

Let kids watch tv anytime you have something to do – This often creates toddlers that always have to be entertained and don’t use their creativity to play on their own.

Wait for your spouse to get home – While there are certain tasks that are best done with someone else watching your child, it’s best not to save your entire to-do list for when your spouse gets off work. Evenings can often be the best family time!

Most Importantly, Remember Your Priorities

Our priority when parenting should always be on raising our children, not being the mom that “does it all.” While it’s great to be productive, it doesn’t matter if we miss out on the important work of raising our kids.

Be flexible with your schedule and leave things on your to-do list sometimes. In the end, how clean your house was really won’t matter all that much.

What’s a way you get things done with a toddler? Let me know in the comments!

More Practical Tips for Moms

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