How I Plan My Week
as a Teacher Mom
(Without Losing My Mind)
“To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.”
-Maya Angelou
As a teacher and a mom, juggling lesson plans, grading, family time, and self-care can feel overwhelming. But with a little planning, structure, and a Mommy Mindset, it’s possible to manage it all (without losing your sanity!). In this post, I’ll share my strategies for planning my week so that I can show up for my students, my kids, and myself, all while staying grounded.
"To teach is to touch a life forever.
To mother is to shape a soul.
To do both is a daily act of love, strength, and sacrifice."
Chalkboards & Checklists
Grace Under Pressure: How Teacher Moms Tackle the Mental Load
The Power
of Prioritization
The first step in my weekly planning is prioritizing. I use a system that helps me categorize tasks into three main areas:
Work Tasks: This includes lesson planning, grading, meetings, and prepping for the week ahead.
Home Tasks: From grocery shopping to helping with homework, family dinner prep, and cleaning.
Self-Care & Wellness: It’s easy to let self-care slip, but I carve out time for exercise, meditation, or just a quiet moment with a book.
I focus on the essential things first, and I remind myself that not everything has to be perfect. Prioritization helps me feel more in control.
Breaking Down
the Week
I rely on a mix of digital and paper planners to stay on top of things. Here’s how I break my week into manageable chunks:
Sunday Night: Weekly Review & Prep
I take 30 minutes on Sunday evening to plan my week. This includes looking at my work schedule, family commitments, and any personal goals. I make a simple to-do list for each day of the week.
Daily Blocks:
Each day has a mix of work, family, and personal time. I break my day into time blocks to ensure I’m focused on one thing at a time.
I also allow myself the flexibility to adjust throughout the week if something unexpected comes up (which, as a mom, is bound to happen!).
Scheduling Family
Time & Flexibility
One of the biggest struggles I face is balancing family time with my professional duties. To make sure my kids feel prioritized, I schedule quality family time into my evenings and weekends.
Family Activities: I plan at least one fun family activity during the week (a movie night, park visit, or board game session) to ensure we connect without distractions.
Flexibility: I make room for unplanned moments—whether it’s a spontaneous playdate or extra time spent together on a lazy afternoon.
This flexibility prevents burnout and helps me stay present with my family.
Tips for
Staying Sane
Delegate: Whether it’s getting my partner involved or asking older kids for help, I delegate tasks at home to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Meal Prep: Prepping meals on the weekends saves time during the week. I love having easy-to-heat meals ready to go.
Batch Tasks: I combine tasks (like listening to audiobooks while folding laundry) to save time.
Managing Mental Load
With a busy schedule, cleaning doesn’t always come first- but having the right tools can help you stay on top of it. The mental load of motherhood can be exhausting. I’ve learned that writing things down helps lighten the load and keeps me from mentally carrying everything. I keep a “Brain Dump” section in my planner where I jot down anything that’s on my mind.
Tech Gadgets for Productivity
Juggling lesson plans, parent emails, grocery lists, and family schedules takes more than just willpower—it takes the right tools. These tech gadgets are designed to help teacher moms streamline their routines, stay organized, and reclaim precious time. From smart planners and noise-canceling earbuds to digital assistants and time-saving kitchen tools, these productivity boosters do more than multitask—they help you breathe easier and work smarter, both in the classroom and at home.
Books & Audiobooks
Between lesson plans, grading, and bedtime stories, finding time for yourself as a teacher mom can feel impossible. That’s where the right book—or even better, an audiobook—can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for personal growth, stress relief, parenting advice, or just a relatable voice that gets it, these reads offer inspiration, practical tips, and much-needed encouragement. Perfect for your commute, lunch break, or late-night unwind, these titles are curated to help you manage the mental load, reclaim your time, and remind you: you’re not alone in this balancing act.
Being a teacher mom is challenging, but with some intentional planning and a little grace, it’s possible to thrive in both roles. Remember, it’s okay not to have it all together every day. By prioritizing, planning with flexibility, and taking care of yourself, you’ll be able to handle whatever the week throws your way.
Cheers to thriving, not just surviving —
and remember, your Mommy Mindset Matters.
Until next time,
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