How Do You Make a Block Schedule? + Block Schedule Printable

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”54px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Having kids, a job, a side business and a home gives me plenty to do each day. If I’m not careful, I let things slide and end up falling way behind in one or more areas of my life.

My favorite way to organize it all is with a Block Schedule.

How do you make a Block Schedule? By breaking your day up into chunks of time, and assigning each chunk a category. Then, you add your daily tasks, where each task will go into the most convenient chunk of time for you. Let’s dive deeper into what a block schedule system is, why it’s the MOST AWESOME way to get through the day, and how to make a block schedule that fits your, and your family’s, needs.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://livinglifeasmoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-make-a-block-schedule.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Table of Contents

What Is a Block Schedule?

A block schedule is a crazy-easy way to organize your day.

Instead of assigning each task to a specific time slot on your planner (too rigid), or just going off of a “to-do” list (with no structure at all), a block schedule organizes your time into chunks, or “blocks.”

Each “block” is dedicated to some of the different things you have to get done during the day. So for example, my Block Schedule looks like this:

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://livinglifeasmoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/my-block-schedule-example.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

sorry it’s so blurry! I can’t figure my phone’s camera out : (

As you can see, my day is structured by the general “time of day” (early morning, morning, school time, afternoon “free” time, evening and late night).

Then, I take all of the important things I have to do that day, and place them in the blocks that would make it easiest for me to do them!

Now, instead of “11:45-12:15 prep dinner,” I have a huge 3 hour window to chop some vegetables, play outside, and throw in a load of laundry. And, if I have to make a phone call or something during that time, I can pick up the phone whenever I feel like it, within that block.

You can pick any categories for your blocks that make sense to you, check out my list below!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Why You Should Use a Block Schedule

Do you try to fill in the little time slots on your planner, only to get sidetracked first thing in the morning?

Are you down on yourself by midday, because you couldn’t get those first two or three things checked off your list? Do you think you’re not “organized enough,” or “productive enough?”

It’s NOT YOU! You have a FAMILY. Planning your whole day hour by hour is a big mistake. It’s setting yourself up for a big fail.

Of course we need structure, and our kids definitely need structure. But we need way more flexibility than each task filed into its own little time slot, until they’re all filled up.

No more “missing” things, no more over-scheduling my day to try to fill the time slots in my planner. No more watching the hours go by thinking I “didn’t get anything one” because I couldn’t prepare dinner at exactly 11:45am.

When we try to use TOO much structure, we are actually creating MORE chaos. We’re creating more times to mess it all up, knowing full well that days regularly don’t go as planned.

Block scheduling is a much more chill and calm way to approach time management. And we need this, because let’s face it – our days are not chill. Ever.

How Does Time Blocking Work?

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://livinglifeasmoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/block-schedule-close-up.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Time blocking uses just enough structure to keep your day from getting away from you, while giving a good amount of freedom within each block to have “things come up” without messing up the rest of your day. This method makes you be prepared, so you can be flexible when you need to be.

Which is often, since we are parents. We’re basically in charge of small empires.

There are a lot of things about our days that we can’t control. Block scheduling accounts for that, and gives us flexibility inside the blocks.

How Do You Make a Block Schedule?

If you want a template to start yourself off, jump on my email list and I’ll send it over right now!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://livinglifeasmoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Get-Yours-Here.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

It’s very easy to make one yourself with just a pen and paper, too!

Here’s exactly how to make a Block Schedule:

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

1. Separate Your Day Into Blocks/Categories

This is easier than it sounds, trust me.

Think about the “groove” of your day in general. What time do you wake up? That is the start of your first block.

What time do you normally go to sleep? That is the end of your last block.

Next, you can break up the time in between waking and sleeping, into blocks. Think about this:

Do you wake up earlier than the rest of the family? That time can be its own block (I call it my “early morning” block).

Do you have a set amount of time from when the house wakes up to when breakfast is done and school time starts? That can be its own block (I call this my “morning” block).
There are usually a few hours of school time until the afternoon comes. That chunk of time can be its own block (we can call it a “school” block, or a “work” block). This used to be my “errands” block, where I would do all of the running around outside the house that I needed to do. But these days, it’s our homeschooling time.

Think about how your day normally flows, and what the family is usually active with during those times.

Your blocks are going to be specific to your family’s needs. But, an excellent place to start is breaking up the day into 2 ½ to 3 hour chunks of time.

List of Block Schedule Categories Ideas:

Early morning

Morning
School time
Kids nap time

Afternoon
Dinner
Bedtime

Night time

2. List All of Your Regular To-Do’s Into The Appropriate Blocks

These are things like:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner times
Scripture time, if you have it

Taking food out for dinner
Scheduled work time if you have it
Nap times for younger kids

Kids chores times, shower times and reading times
Exercise/going for walks
Laundry

Kids bedtimes, etc.

3. Insert Your Big Priorities of the Day

Do you need to carve out time to work on a project, or have a big talk with your spouse? Stick that task into the same block as your kids’ quiet time!

Don’t schedule things that need your full attention when you know they are more likely to need attention, too.

Another definite big priority is YOU, mama! Which block is going to have your alone time? Even if it’s just for 15 minutes, it’s important to schedule some self-care, so you don’t burn out.

4. Tweak for Tomorrow

As you go through your day, maybe there will be some items like cleaning, meal prep or laundry that you tried to fit into a specific block, and it didn’t work out. Try out the TOTALLY OPPOSITE time of day tomorrow, and see what happens.

For example, if waiting until night time to do the laundry didn’t work because you were so pooped already, try moving it to your early morning block tomorrow.

Chances are that you already know the ins and outs of your day well enough that you will have NO trouble putting your things to do into the right blocks.

Tips For an Awesome and Effective Block Schedule

Set an alarm in your phone for the end of each block, so you know when to “shut it down” and move on to the next block.

Include your need-to-do’s from ALL of the areas of your life, not just house stuff (personal, work, family and house).

Make sure the rest of the house is pulling their own weight – for example, add a 5 minute tidy to one of the blocks for the whole family to run around grabbing things that are out of place and putting them away.

Consider including some “yes” time in one of your blocks. “Yes” time is my way of making sure I spend QUALITY time with my kids, by doing what they love doing, with them. Basically, you say YES to whatever your kid wants to play (within reason obviously), no matter how much you don’t feel like playing barbies, or tag, or doing a science experiment, or whatever. You’ve decided, and it’s GO time.

I love this because it helps me create memories with my family and gives my kids playtime on their terms.

Block Schedule Printables

I have a Block Schedule Printable for you, for signing up to my email list!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://livinglifeasmoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Get-Yours-Here.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font_size=”19px” ul_line_height=”1.6em” ol_font_size=”19px” ol_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#cc1c9a” header_3_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Conclusion

We all have the same 24 hours in a day. It all comes down to what we choose to put our focus on. Now you know how to make a block schedule, and make the most of your day.

I hope you jump on board the Block Scheduling wagon! Let me know how it goes in the comments!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0|0px|54px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” ul_font=”||||||||” ul_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_2_font=”Georgia||||||||” header_3_font=”Georgia||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]

If you liked this post, make sure to leave a comment & Pin it!!!

Checkout my other Blog Posts & be sure to follow me on Pinterest, I have TONS more great content!!

Here are some more posts that might be helpful:

–Essential Time Management Tips for Working Moms

–The Best Formula for Morning Routine Success

–Mid Year Planner Pros, Cons & Alternatives

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]