Managing Time and Priorities

Managing Time and Priorities as a Single Parent

As a single parent, you're juggling everything: work, childcare, household management, and your own needs. It can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can manage your time effectively while maintaining your sanity. This guide offers practical tips for prioritising, creating routines, and finding balance.

Let Go of Perfection

The first step to managing time as a single parent is accepting that you can't do everything perfectly—and that's okay.

Focus on what matters:

Your child's safety, health, and happiness
Your own basic needs (food, rest, mental health)
Essential tasks (work, bills, appointments)

Everything else can be "good enough":

The house doesn't need to be spotless
Meals don't need to be gourmet
You don't need to be at every event
It's okay to say no

Remember:

Your child needs a happy, healthy parent more than they need a perfect home or perfect meals. Good enough is good enough.

Create Routines That Work

Routines reduce decision fatigue and create predictability for both you and your child:

Morning routine:

Set out clothes the night before
Prep breakfast items ahead
Keep it simple and consistent
Build in buffer time for unexpected delays

Evening routine:

Prep for the next day (lunches, bags, clothes)
Set a consistent bedtime
Include wind-down time for both of you
Keep it calm and predictable

Weekly routines:

Designate days for specific tasks (laundry on Sundays, shopping on Mondays)
Meal plan and prep when possible
Schedule regular "catch-up" time for tasks
Build in flexibility for unexpected events

Benefits:

Less decision-making = less mental fatigue
Predictability helps children feel secure
Routines become automatic, saving mental energy
Reduces morning and evening stress

Prioritise and Delegate

Not everything needs to be done right now. Learn to prioritise:

Urgent and important:

Do these first • Work deadlines • Medical appointments • Bills and essential paperwork • Child's immediate needs

Important but not urgent:

Schedule these • Regular health check-ups • Planning and preparation • Building relationships • Self-care

Urgent but not important:

Delegate or minimise • Some social obligations • Non-essential errands • Tasks others can help with

Neither urgent nor important:

Eliminate or postpone • Perfectionist cleaning • Unnecessary commitments • Things that drain your energy

Delegate when possible:

Kids can help with age-appropriate tasks
Ask friends/family for specific help
Use services when affordable (meal delivery, cleaning)
Trade tasks with other parents

Remember:

Saying no to less important things means saying yes to what truly matters.

Time-Saving Strategies

Small changes can save significant time:

Meal planning:

Plan meals for the week
Prep ingredients on weekends
Use slow cookers or batch cooking
Keep simple, healthy options on hand
Don't feel guilty about convenience foods sometimes

Shopping and errands:

Make lists to avoid multiple trips
Combine errands into one trip
Use online shopping when possible
Order groceries for delivery if it saves time

Household management:

Do a little each day rather than big clean-ups
Use a "one-touch" rule (deal with things once)
Set timers for tasks to avoid getting sidetracked
Accept "good enough" cleaning

Technology:

Use calendar apps to track everything
Set reminders for important tasks
Use apps for meal planning, budgeting
Automate what you can (bills, subscriptions)

Batch similar tasks:

Do all phone calls at once
Handle all paperwork together
Group errands by location

Involve Your Child

Age-appropriate involvement helps children learn responsibility and saves you time:

Toddlers (2-3 years):

Put toys in a basket
Put clothes in a laundry basket
Help set the table (with supervision)
Wipe up spills

Preschoolers (4-5 years):

Make their bed (with help)
Put away their clothes
Help with simple meal prep
Clear their place at the table
Feed pets (with supervision)

School age (6+ years):

Pack their school bag
Help with meal prep
Load/unload dishwasher
Take out recycling
Help with younger siblings

Benefits:

Teaches responsibility and life skills
Builds confidence
Reduces your workload
Creates family teamwork

Remember:

Start small, be patient, and celebrate their efforts. It might take longer at first, but it pays off.

Take Care of Yourself

You can't pour from an empty cup. Self-care isn't selfish—it's essential:

Basic self-care:

Eat regular meals (even if simple)
Stay hydrated
Get enough sleep (prioritise this)
Shower and basic hygiene
Take medications/vitamins

Mental health:

Find time for activities you enjoy (even 15 minutes)
Connect with friends
Practice stress management (deep breathing, meditation)
Seek professional help if needed
Give yourself grace

Physical health:

Move your body (walk, stretch, whatever feels good)
Get fresh air when possible
Attend medical appointments
Don't ignore health concerns

Remember:

Taking care of yourself isn't taking time away from your child—it's ensuring you can be there for them long-term.

Set Boundaries

Learning to say no is crucial for time management:

Say no to:

Non-essential commitments
Things that drain your energy
Requests that don't align with your priorities
Perfectionist expectations (yours or others')

Say yes to:

Things that matter to you and your child
Opportunities that bring joy
Help when offered
Rest and self-care

How to say no:

"I'd love to, but I can't commit right now."
"That doesn't work for our family, but thank you for thinking of us."
"I need to focus on [priority] right now."
Simply: "No, thank you."

Remember:

Every time you say no to something less important, you're saying yes to what truly matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find time for everything?

You don't need to do everything. Prioritise what truly matters and let go of the rest. Good enough is good enough.

What if I fall behind?

That's normal. Life happens. Give yourself grace, adjust your expectations, and focus on catching up on the essentials first.

How do I balance work and parenting?

Set boundaries, use your support network, and remember that you're doing your best. It's okay if work and parenting aren't perfectly balanced—they rarely are.

What if my child resists routines?

Be consistent but flexible. Routines take time to establish. Keep trying, and adjust as needed. Some resistance is normal.

How do I make time for myself?

Start small—even 10-15 minutes counts. Use nap times, ask for help, or wake up 15 minutes earlier. Self-care is essential, not optional.

What if I feel guilty about not doing enough?

You're doing more than enough. Guilt is common but often unfounded. Focus on what you are doing, not what you're not. Your child needs a happy, healthy parent more than perfection.

You're Doing Better Than You Think

Managing time and priorities as a single parent is challenging, but you're doing it. Every day you get through is an achievement. Remember: you don't have to do everything perfectly. Focus on what matters, let go of the rest, and give yourself credit for all you're accomplishing.

If you need more support, check out our guides on "Building Your Support Network" or "Self-Care for Parents" for additional strategies. You've got this.