Organizing for Working Moms: A Journey Through Family, Systems, and Self-Care
EPISODE 69
by Dianne Jimenez
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Organizing for Working Moms: A Journey Through Family, Systems, and Self-Care
In this episode, I have a great conversation with fellow a entrepreneur, mom of three, and New York based blogger of The Mint Chip Mama, Stacey Wallenstein. We dive deep into balancing life with kids, building a business, and of course, staying organized.
Stacey shares her incredible insights and practical tips on handling household chores, managing family schedules, and finding time for self-care. Plus, we chat about the importance of creating systems to simplify your life and teaching kids independence.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!
The episode at a glance
[00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome
[00:35] First Impressions and Initial Conversation
[01:55] The Mint Chip Mama: Origin Story
[04:01] Balancing Motherhood and Blogging
[06:36] Daily Routines and Time Management
[09:03] Empowering Kids with Responsibilities
[22:29] Organizing and Household Systems
[33:29] Decluttering Strategies and Exit Plans
[33:52] The Importance of an Exit Strategy
[34:25] The Convenience of Scheduled Pickups
[38:39] Family Calendar Organization
[39:40] The Power of Systems and Control
[43:12] Self-Care and Scheduling
[50:49] Teaching Kids Financial Responsibility
[51:08] Intentional Shopping and Pre-cycling
[01:04:56] The Value of Automatic Savings
[01:06:11] Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Organizing for Working Moms: A Journey Through Family, Systems, and Self-Care
Let’s face it—being a working mom can feel like running a never-ending marathon with a toddler hanging off your leg and your inbox overflowing. Between the demands of work, parenting, and trying to squeeze in a moment for yourself, it’s no wonder so many moms feel stretched thin.
But here’s the good news: with the right mindset and a few smart systems in place, organizing for working moms doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, it can be the very thing that brings more peace, connection, and breathing room into your day.
Let Systems Lighten the Load at Home
Stacey Wallenstein, a mom blogger from New York, gets it. She’s built a lifestyle around organizing—not just her home, but her family’s time, habits, and even their mindset.
One of Stacey’s best strategies? She gets her kids involved.
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Every child has specific responsibilities, like handling their own laundry or packing their lunches. These small, age-appropriate tasks build independence and reduce the mental load on mom. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about everyone contributing.
Another game-changer in Stacey’s routine is the family calendar. Everyone knows what’s coming up and when, which means fewer surprises and last-minute scrambles.
And here’s a bonus tip you might not have heard before: Stacey practices pre-cycling. That means she thinks twice before bringing anything new into the house. If it doesn’t have a purpose and a place, it doesn’t come in. Less stuff equals less stress. Simple, but powerful.
Protect Your Energy with Routine and Self-Care
Organizing for working moms isn’t just about physical spaces—it’s also about mental clarity. And that starts with you.
Stacey makes self-care a non-negotiable part of her schedule. Whether it’s a morning walk, a massage, or quiet time for reflection, she carves out moments that replenish her.
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This isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy. Because when you’re running on empty, everything feels harder.
And self-care doesn’t have to be fancy. For Stacey, even a peaceful solo walk can do wonders. The goal is to figure out what actually fills your cup and schedule it in like you would any work meeting or appointment. It’s one of the most underrated yet essential parts of organizing for working moms.
Spend with Intention, Not Impulse
Another layer to Stacey’s approach? Financial clarity.
She teaches her kids early on to focus on experiences over things. Together, they talk through purchases—Do we need it? Will we use it? Does it add value? These simple conversations teach kids to think intentionally, and they help parents stay organized in both spending and living.
When her kids want something, Stacey encourages them to save up for it. That delayed gratification not only cuts down on clutter—it also builds a sense of accomplishment and confidence. And fewer random toys or impulse buys? That’s a win for your budget and your storage space.
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Build a Life That Feels Good to Live
At its core, organizing for working moms is really about creating a life that feels less chaotic and more aligned.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress—and finding routines and systems that support your real life. Whether it’s delegating chores, using a shared calendar, or saying no to another clearance aisle impulse buy, these small shifts add up to a more peaceful home.
Most importantly, Stacey’s story reminds us that organizing isn’t just about the stuff. It’s about creating more room for what matters: connection, clarity, and calm.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a working mom feeling like you’re just getting by, know this: with a few intentional changes, you can feel more in control and less overwhelmed. The path to a more organized life doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to make sense for you.
Free training: "How to find time in a busy schedule"
Start small. Give yourself grace. And remember, the goal isn’t to do it all. The goal is to build a life where you don’t have to do it all alone.
Because organizing for working moms isn’t just about clean counters or color-coded calendars—it’s about creating a lifestyle that supports your values, your energy, and your family.
About by guest:
Stacey Wallenstein is the New York based mom of three behind the parenting, lifestyle, travel, beauty and food blog and channel The Mint Chip Mama.
Stacey was picked as a NY Metro Parent Influencer to watch, and nominated as the Best Blog on Long Island in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Before becoming a full-time mom in 2010, Stacey spent a decade as a high-end customer relationship management (CRM) professional managing customer loyalty programs for some of the most well-known brands including Harrah’s Entertainment, Chanel and Christian Dior.
Stay on track with laundry & tips to getting the kids involved
Stacey is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and holds a Masters in Psychology from The New School.
With all of the accomplishments above she’s happiest hiking with her family, getting a massage, snuggling on the couch with her kids or listening to 80s pop. She loves dark chocolate, tacos, and glassblowing.
The Mint Chip Mama has been featured in The NY Post, Psychology Today, NY Metro Parents, NY Family, Parents Magazine, Newsday, News 12, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids, NerdWallet, Big Apple Kids Guide, and more!
The Mint Chip Mama was also nominated as one of the Top 20 New York Mom Blogs & Websites, and one of the Top 100 Mom Lifestyle Blogs on the web, one of the 10 Best Long Island Mom Blogs and Websites, and one of the Top 40 Funny Mom Influencers!
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