In recent years, working from home has gained immense popularity, and many moms have transitioned to this flexible work arrangement. However, juggling work responsibilities while simultaneously caring for young children can be quite challenging (and frustrating…maybe the hardest job I’ve ever done).
It requires a balance between meeting professional commitments and attending to your children’s needs. To help you thrive in this extremely demanding role, here are some invaluable productivity hacks specifically tailored for work-from-home moms with young children.
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Establish a Dedicated Workspace
Creating a designated workspace is crucial for maintaining focus and productivity.
Dedicate a specific area in your home where you can work without distractions.
Ensure it is well-organized, comfortable, and equipped with all the essential tools and resources you need in one room or section of the room.
Set Clear Boundaries
Communicate your work schedule and boundaries to your family members, including your children.
Explain that during specific hours, you need uninterrupted time to concentrate on work. (I know, toddler moms are laughing saying that’s not gonna do anything. And that’s right, its not. But we set the boundary and call it something like “quiet time” and during that time, kids can do activities you set up for them, play educational games, watch educational videos, and so on.)
Consistently setting clear expectations will help everyone understand when you are available to play and when you need time to fulfill your job commitments.
Consider using an alarm or simply a light that can change colors and teach the younger children that when the light is red, that means you need them to be quiet in your work area. When the light is green, it is okay to interrupt.
Plan and Prioritize
Start each day by planning and prioritizing your tasks. Identify the most important and time-sensitive assignments and focus on those first.
Utilize productivity tools like to-do lists or digital task managers to stay organized and keep track of deadlines.
Create a Routine
Establishing a daily routine can help you and your children know what to expect and create a sense of structure.
Dedicate specific blocks of time for work, meals, playtime, and other activities. A consistent routine will make it easier for you (and your baby or toddler) to transition between roles and keep your children engaged and occupied during your working hours.
Create your own Productive stay-at-home mom routines with the free customizable checklist for a productive morning routine to begin a successful day, and the SAHM night time routine checklist to prepare for a productive tomorrow.
Get Their Energy Out
The kids are going to drive you absolutely crazy if you don’t get their energy out before you sit down to work.
Try taking them outside to run, climb, and yell before coming inside to work. Once all that energy is out, they should be ready to eat and have quiet time long enough for you to get a little work in.
Give Your Kids Something To Do
Before sitting down to work, make sure your children are busy working on a fun or educational activity or are engaged in play.
Need help coming up with activities for each age group? Kiwi Co has activity boxes that kids can do on their own.
Boxes range in age from 0-36 months, 3-4 years, 5-9 years, and all the way up to 16+ years old.
They can also be set up to be delivered monthly! One less thing you have to worry about when trying to accomplish some work during the day.
Food First
Make sure you and your children’s stomachs are full and everyone has something to drink before you sit down to work.
Also, provide healthy snacks within reach for you or your children so they can help themselves with food when needed.
This prevents you from having to take a break to feed them when you’re in the middle of your dedicated work hours.
Work During Nap Time and Quiet Time
If your children still take naps, utilize that time to tackle your most challenging and focused work.
By aligning your work schedule with their nap time, you can maximize your productivity.
Similarly, if your children have designated quiet time, make the most of it by utilizing it for tasks that require more concentration.
Outsource and Delegate
Don’t hesitate to ask for help or delegate certain tasks. Consider hiring a babysitter, asking your partner for support, or reaching out to friends and family members for assistance for a few hours per day to get uninterrupted work time.
You can also explore outsourcing options for household chores or meal preparation to gain more time for working. Consider making these time saving changes to increase productivity as a work-from-home mom with small children:
- Pay a family member to clean your house once or twice per week
- Order groceries for pick-up or delivery (this frees up hours of time during the week)
Delegating responsibilities will alleviate some of the pressure and allow you to concentrate on your work.
Embrace Flexibility
Working from home offers the advantage of flexibility. Embrace it and adapt your schedule to accommodate your children’s needs when necessary. If you need to attend to a sick child or address an unexpected situation, don’t be too hard on yourself. Embracing flexibility will reduce stress and enable you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Consider A More Flexible WFHM Job
Working from home with babies and toddlers is so hard. Its nearly impossible to work an hourly 9-5 job when caring for children. Thats why I recommend transitioning to a more flexible work-from-home mom job that doesn’t require you to be sitting at a computer or on a phone for 8 hours straight.
Freelance work and work-from-home jobs that don’t require a phone are the best stay-at-home mom jobs. Another great option is to become a specialized virtual assistant.
Final Thoughts On Productivity Tips For Work-At-Home Moms With Babies and Toddlers
Being a work-from-home mom with young children is undoubtedly demanding, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can achieve a harmonious balance. By creating a conducive work environment, setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and embracing flexibility, you can enhance your productivity and effectively manage your dual roles. Remember, self-care is equally important, so be kind to yourself and celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small.
