Time Management Tips for Parents: Finding More Hours -

When it comes to time, the playing field — regardless of demographic, geography, profession, number of children, and every other metric — is level.

“The mightiest person on the planet still has 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week,” says Laura Vanderkam, a time management and productivity thought leader. “Whatever we accomplish, we have to do it within this universal constraint,” Vanderkam told Lianne Castelino during an interview for Where Parents Talk.

Between work deadlines, soccer practices, endless laundry, and that mysterious pile of school forms, it can often feel like there’s never enough time. Many parents end each week wondering where the hours went—and why they still feel behind. But what if the key to feeling calmer and more in control isn’t about squeezing more into your day, but about seeing the time you already have differently?

Vanderkam, a mother of five, has spent years studying this space. Her conclusion is simple: We have more time than we think—we just need to approach it differently.

“If you believe you have no time, you won’t think about how you want to spend it — and when you do have free time, you’ll waste it on whatever is in front of you,” says Vanderkam. Her bottom line: “The biggest time waster is being unintentional about our time.”

What sets those who feel in control apart from those who feel constantly behind isn’t some superhuman ability—it’s how they use their time intentionally. Even after a full-time job and 8 hours of sleep, you still have over 70 hours each week for everything else.

The trick? You need to see your time clearly before you can use it better.

Track Your Time

As a starting point, Vanderkam suggests instituting a weekly practice: time tracking.

Not forever—just one week.

This exercise takes about three minutes a day—the same time you spend brushing your teeth, notes Vanderkam.
But the insights, she says, can be life-changing. You’ll discover those hidden pockets of time—the quiet moments after bedtime, the spaces between activities, and the gaps on weekends—where joy or rest can fit.

The Myth of “Too Busy”

If you feel like you’re constantly behind, you’re not imagining it—but the problem may not lie in your schedule. It could be in your mindset.

“Busyness is more about perception than reality,” explains Vanderkam whose kids’ ages range from elementary to high school. “The number of hours in a day has never changed.” From social media notifications to endless streaming options, today’s world makes it easy to feel like you’re never doing enough. Even back in the 1950s, people complained of being “busier than ever.” But what’s changed is how we think about time.

The Power of Weekly Planning

Another game-changer in managing your time? Weekly planning.

“I always recommend that people institute a weekly planning time… check in and ask yourself what is most important for you to do over the next week,” says Vanderkam. “Expect things will go wrong and have backup layers in place. This way, you’re calm when things don’t go as planned.”

Vanderkam suggests carving out just 15 minutes each week—whether Thursday evening or Sunday afternoon—and asking yourself these questions:

What matters most to me professionally next week?
What’s most important for me personally and relationally?
What am I genuinely looking forward to?

This is also an opportunity to schedule something meaningful, whether it’s a hike, a movie night, or a solo coffee date. It doesn’t have to be grand—it just needs to be intentional. When you plan joy into your week, you’re not just surviving— you’re building memories.

Leave Breathing Room

One of the biggest lessons from the busiest, most successful people is that they leave space. They don’t pack every minute. They anticipate meetings running over, kids getting sick, and opportunities cropping up unexpectedly.

“Being able to say yes to cool stuff is about saying no to stuff that isn’t quite as exciting,” she says. If your weekends are packed until the next presidential election, how will you make room for spontaneous family adventures—or even an afternoon nap?

Leave space in your schedule, suggests Vanderkam, after all, good things need room to happen.

The Art of Saying No (Without Guilt)

A major time trap for parents is overcommitting. Before saying “yes” to something a few months out, ask yourself: Would I want to do this tomorrow? If the honest answer is no, chances are future-you won’t want to do it either.

“Would you move things around to make room for this? If not, it’s probably not worth your time,” says Vanderkam, whose latest book is called, Tranquility by Nine Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for what Matters. Protect your time by reserving your “yes” for invitations and obligations that truly align with your top priorities.

Simplify to Simplify

Not every part of life needs to be a creative endeavour or require full effort. Some things should be automated or simplified to free up mental space.

In Vanderkam’s household, for instance, Monday is always pasta night. No debating meal plans. No stress. Simplifying low-stakes decisions—like meals—frees up energy for what truly matters: the big conversations, the spontaneous dance parties, and even just sitting quietly together.

Discover Hidden Time

Many parents believe they don’t have time for themselves, but once they track their hours, they often realize those hidden pockets of time do exist.

“Pretend you had all the time in the world. What would you want to do more of? Then look for small, practical ways to fit those things in — even if it’s just substituting a few minutes of scrolling for reading.”

Vanderkam’s life-changing tip? Take one evening a week just for you. Whether it’s a workout class, a book club, or meeting up with a friend—make it non-negotiable.

“It doesn’t have to be extravagant. It should just happen every week,” she insists. This isn’t selfish. It’s essential. When parents nurture themselves, they show up better for everyone else.

Teaching Kids About Time

When passing time-management lessons on to our kids, lecturing rarely works, cautions Vanderkam. Instead, model it.

“Talk through their projects, sports schedules, and goals,” she says. “Show them what planning looks like—not as a burden, but as a tool that helps create more freedom.”

It’s about raising kids who feel empowered, not micromanaged, to manage their own time effectively.