How We Learned to Manage Our Time as Busy Working Parents

Jan 23, 2025
Jon and Jessica talking at a desk

Do you ever feel like life is a never-ending race against the clock? Like no matter how much you get done, there’s always something else waiting on your to-do list? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

A few years ago, we felt the same way. With three kids, full-time jobs, and a mountain of daily responsibilities, our life was overwhelming. We were constantly rushing, perpetually stressed, and always feeling like there just wasn’t enough time in the day.

But we’ve learned it doesn’t have to be that way.

The Cycle of Busyness

When life is busy, it’s easy to think it’s just the way things are. You have responsibilities, commitments, and goals—of course, life is chaotic! But what if we told you that it doesn’t have to be that way?

For us, the tipping point came when we realized that no amount of “catching up” would fix how we felt. Even when we had productive days or short bursts of relief from chaos, we’d quickly fall behind again. It felt like an endless loop of stress and exhaustion.

Something had to change.

Reclaiming Our Time

We refused to accept that this was just the way life had to be. Instead, we took a step back and started looking at time differently. Over time, we found strategies that worked—not just quick fixes, but real changes to how we approached our day-to-day life.

The results were life-changing. We now have a balance we were searching for that allows us to stay on top of all the things we need to do, while still leaving room for things we want to do.

You Can Do It, Too

If you’re feeling like time is slipping away from you, here’s the good news: you can take control of your time. Here’s how:

  1. Shift Your Mindset: Stop believing that busyness equals productivity or value. Instead, focus on how you want to spend your time, not just how much you can cram into your day.
  2. Prioritize: Not everything on your to-do list is equally important. Identify the things that truly matter—whether they’re personal, professional, or simply things that bring you joy—and make those your focus.
  3. Create Systems: Find habits and routines that help streamline your day. This might mean setting boundaries, delegating tasks, or carving out specific times for work, rest, and play.
  4. Say “No” More Often: It’s okay to let go of commitments that don’t align with your priorities. Saying “no” to what’s not essential makes room for what truly matters.

A Balanced Life Is Possible

You don’t have to feel like you’re constantly running out of time. With the right approach, you can find peace of mind and create a life that feels balanced and fulfilling.

If we can do it—with three kids, full-time jobs, and a crazy schedule—you can too.

Start by asking yourself this: What do I really want my life to look like? From there, you can begin to make intentional changes that bring you closer to that vision.

Check out our other videos and resources, where we dive deeper into strategies for making your day run more smoothly and prioritizing what’s most important to you.

Thanks for reading—and remember, you don’t have to be busy all the time. There’s a better way, and we’re here to help you find it.

—Jon & Jessica

Jon and Jessica together

We're Jon and Jessica.

As working parents with young kids, we know first-hand how important it is to have enough time to do everything we need to do, while still leaving time for things we want to do.

We created GenRef to help busy parents and working professionals take control of their time so they can make their day run more smoothly and do more with the time they have.

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You can take control of your time.

If you feel like you’re busy all the time and there’s never enough time in the day, we've been there too. Our online course teaches you how to manage your time by balancing your goals and priorities. Learn how you can make your day run more smoothly and do more with the time you have.

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