Hey there, Momma! Whether you’re a seasoned work-at-home mom pro or just dipping your toes into the remote work world, juggling work, home life, and everything in between can be a real challenge.
I would say I’m pretty seasoned with over 10 years of experience working from home, however having a baby made me have to re-evaluate work from home life. Having a toddler caused some re-evaluation. Hint: working from home with a toddler is quite a bit more challenging than with a baby! But it can be done.
I’m blessed with a lot of flexibility in my work-from-home mom life. Not everyone has that. How you run your work-from-home days will depend on your work and schedule and your family. Different work-at-home jobs have different requirements. I pray these tips will help you as they’ve helped me.
You’ve got this! I’m here to share some tried-and-true tips that will help you stay productive, keep your sanity intact, and maybe even find a little time for yourself.
And if you need more specifics for working from home with a baby or toddler, I’ve got posts on that and will link them at the bottom of this one!
1. Create a Dedicated Workspace
One of the best things you can do for yourself as a work-from-home mom is to carve out a little nook that’s all yours. A dedicated work space. It doesn’t have to be fancy and can be the corner of a living room but I do recommend you have a space where you mostly just work. There is something about our brains when we are in our dedicated workspaces that signals that it’s time to work. I do have some chill work blocks occasionally where I kick back in the bed to brainstorm content or study but I don’t make a habit out of working from the bed or on a couch. (Random fact we don’t currently own a couch.)
Having years of experience working online I know the strain you can put on your neck, shoulders, and even eyes when you don’t have a proper work setup.
The key is to have a space where you can focus, get into work mode, and minimize distractions. Having this dedicated space also signals to your family that when Mom’s in “the zone,” it’s time to give her some space.
It also sets a boundary that when you leave that work area you’re done and don’t need to keep focusing on work. We’ll get into why those boundaries are so important next.
I have a whole blog post on Home Office Setup for Work Form Home Moms here.
2. Set Clear Boundaries
Boundaries- they keep certain things in and certain things out and they’re far more important to your work-from-home life than you may realize.
Boundaries are essential. Set clear expectations with your family about your work hours. Let your kids know when you’re available for playtime and when you need to focus. A visual cue like a “Do Not Disturb” sign can be helpful for younger kids. And for your own sanity, try to stick to a consistent work schedule—this will help you maintain a work-life balance and prevent burnout.
Have cut-off times and put an autoresponder on your emails for after hours if needed.
If you have a hard time setting time boundaries you may want to try block scheduling. At the end of the work day let go of work to stay healthy physically and mentally. If you own your own business especially don’t let it overtake every area of your life in and unhealthy way.
3. Time Block Your Day
As a busy mom, your to-do list is probably never-ending. Time blocking can be a game-changer! Break your day into chunks of time dedicated to specific tasks—work, household chores, playtime with the kids, and even some “me-time” (because you deserve it!). This method helps you stay on track and ensures that everything gets done without feeling overwhelmed. Think about the things you need to fit in like conference calls, phone calls, writing blog posts, filming videos, etc and what time of day will work best to give those tasks your full attention.
Also think about your family’s needs. This is your work day so make it work for your work life and family life.
Yep, there is a whole post about that too because it’s a gram changer! And don’t worry if you’ve tried time blocking before and it didn’t work for you. I’m into flexible time blocks that don’t have to stick to a specific minute or hourly time slot because that usually doesn’t work for us busy moms.
Think about your daily routine and how you currently spend your time and what tweaks you could make to fit different tasks into different blocks like a cleaning block, focused work block, etc. I talk about this a lot more here:
Workbook Guide: How To Create Your Own Stay-At-Home Work-From-Home Mom Schedule
One of my best tips is to give your children quality time before you need to get important tasks done or before a focused work block. This fills them up emotionally and helps take care of their physical needs so they are more likely to let you focus. Teaching independent play helps a lot too! Less is often more if you want them to play well on their own and avoid screen time. Check out this post Minimalist Playroom Tips To Create A Simple and Fun Space.
Flexible Block Scheduling Tips
Even if you are not a morning person, dedicate some time when you wake up to have an effective morning routine that sets your day up for success. Motivation Quotes To Inspire Moms That Get Up Early
4. Embrace Nap Time (or Quiet Time)
If you have little ones at home, nap time can be your most productive time of the day. Use this time wisely—whether it’s for knocking out work tasks, having a quiet cup of coffee, or sneaking in a quick workout. It’s when I do my focused work block. Early mornings and nap time are when I get my uninterrupted work time. If your kids are past the nap stage, implement a quiet time where they can engage in activities like reading or puzzles, giving you some much-needed focus time.
I prepare ahead for our nap/ work block by having my content planned out and drafts ready and research done so I can just dive in and get to work.
5. Meal Prep and Plan Ahead
Let’s be honest—meal times can be hectic, especially when you’re trying to squeeze in work between feeding your little ones. Save yourself some stress by meal planning or prepping on the weekends or planning your meals ahead of time. I’m going to level with you, this is still something I struggle with. But it does help a great deal when I get it together and plan out some meals ahead.
Easy, quick meals are your best friend here. Bonus tip: involve your kids in meal prep! It’s a great way to keep them occupied and teach them some life skills. I sometimes have our toddler help me prep for lunch and dinner while we’re preparing breakfast. It cuts down on the clean-up later too!
Here are some posts to help if Dinner is your main struggle:
Easy Healthy Meal Ideas For Dinner Your Toddler Will Love
Easy And Fun Weekly Family Meal Dinner Theme Ideas
Easy Dinner Ideas For Family Night Low Cook and No Cook
And it’s so important when you’re working from home to get a healthy lunch in!
Simple and Healthy Work From Home Lunch Ideas
If you can outsource grocery shopping that can save a lot of time in your week! I still take our daughter to the grocery store and to run errands but I try to go every other week and we make it a bonding time by getting ice cream or having lunch and we take a walk.
6. Use Technology to Your Advantage
There are so many tools and apps out there designed to make your life easier. From project management tools like Trello or Asana or my favorite Notion to time-tracking apps that help you stay on task, don’t be afraid to lean on technology.
I prefer wood toys and open-ended toys over noisy ones any day but the one exception I made for our toddler is a LeapFrog laptop/tablet. She loves to be like mom working in the office. I can give her the learning laptop and a notepad and crayon to work beside me and sneak a few more moments of work in.
7. Give Yourself Grace
Some days will be harder than others, and that’s okay. You might not get everything done on your list, and sometimes, your kids might need more attention than your work does. Some days I’m on fire and other days I feel like curling up in a ball and pulling the covers over my head. The important thing is I keep going. Give yourself grace and remember that you’re doing an amazing job balancing it all. Actually, I’m more about seasons than “balance.” Motherhood is very seasonal. Celebrate the small wins and don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned.
And if you are having a “bad day” here’s how to reset: How To Recover From A Bad Day Mom Reset Edition
8. Connect with Other Moms
Working from home can sometimes feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Connect with other work-from-home moms through social media groups, online forums, or local meet-ups. Sharing your experiences and tips with others who understand your situation can be incredibly uplifting and might even lead to new friendships.
If you do have a flexible work schedule, schedule time for friends or take a family member to lunch. Even friends who don’t work from home can sometimes meet up for lunch or chat on breaks. Play dates are a good way to meet up with other moms too!
9. Take Breaks and Step Outside
It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget to take breaks. But stepping away from your desk, even for a few minutes, can do wonders for your productivity and mental health. Take a walk outside, play with your kids, or simply stretch—anything to give your brain a break and recharge your energy.
I’ve found that when I do this even if I don’t feel like I have the time, I’m more productive and creative. Consider adding an outdoor break to your Afternoon Routine.
10. Practice Self-Care
Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Whether it’s a bubble bath after the kids go to bed, a quick workout, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea, make time for activities that recharge you. Remember, a happy mom equals a happy home!
It doesn’t have to be elaborate trips to the spa. Self-care can be practical!
Practical Self-Care Tips for Busy Moms
Final Thoughts:
Being a work-from-home mom is not the way to easy street. But it is such a blessing! With a little planning, some boundaries, and a lot of grace, you can make being a working mom at home work for you and your family. The most important thing is that you find what works for you and your family and you have free time to brainstorm, dream, and reset as needed. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey, and with these tips, you can stay productive, keep your sanity, and maybe even find a little time to enjoy the chaos that is motherhood.
If you found these tips helpful, don’t forget to share them with your fellow mom friends. We’re all in this together!
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