Balancing Work and Motherhood: A Work-from-Home Mom’s Guide
Hey, fellow multitasking mamas! If you're like me—a work-from-home mom juggling a business, a toddler, and a baby bump (yup, 24 weeks along!)—then you know that balancing work and motherhood can feel like a high-wire act. But don’t worry, we’ve got this! Here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way to help you rock the work-from-home mom life with confidence, grace, and a little bit of humor.
Create a Flexible Schedule
First things first: throw out the idea of a rigid schedule. With kids, especially toddlers, flexibility is key. Create a loose schedule that outlines your work hours, playtime, and breaks. Be prepared to adapt as needed because, let’s face it, life with little ones is anything but predictable. Remember, it’s all about finding a rhythm that works for you and your family.
Our life looks a bit like this: toddler wakes at 7:00/7:30a and I don’t have to jump into my full-time job until 9:00a (that’s also when the nanny comes 3 days a week). From 9:00a-5:00p (roughly) I’m working my full-time cybersecurity gig. If I ever need to schedule a client call during standard working hours, I make sure to work a bit extra to make up for it (we do love our work-from-home flexibility!) Then, I do my business/client work from 6:00p-9:00p (with a break around 7:00/7:30p for my daughter’s bedtime routine.)
Let me be VERY transparent though, I have a GREAT sleeper. For those of you mamas in the trenches of sleep regressions or a baby who won’t sleep through the night, my heart goes out to you!
Set Up a Dedicated Workspace
Having a dedicated workspace can make a world of difference. Whether it’s a separate room or just a corner of your living room, create a space that’s just for work. This helps you mentally switch from mom mode to work mode. Plus, it signals to your toddler that when mommy’s in her workspace, she’s busy (well, in theory, anyway).
My daughter LOVES to play with my laptop, which makes any work around her extremely difficult. I try to work separately from her (she plays in the living room while I sit in the kitchen on the days the nanny isn’t here.) When we are in my office space, it is very tough to get things done. However, we are currently in the phase where she can’t quite communicate back to me, so hopefully over the next few months, this will become easier. I do have toys that are specific to my office that she only gets to play with when she is in here, so that does help a bit!
Embrace Naptime Hustle
Naptime is your golden hour. NAPTIME IS YOUR GOLDEN HOUR! Use this time to tackle your most important tasks that require full concentration. Need to write that important email or finish a project? Naptime to the rescue! Make a list of tasks you can accomplish during these quiet moments and dive in as soon as your little one drifts off to dreamland.
Again, my daughter is a great sleeper and she loves quiet time. This means I’ll put her in her room with a red light on an hour-ish before she would nap so she can wind down for a 2+ hour nap. She just dropped her second nap, so we are mid-navigation there. But, this new process has proven very successful for us and it extends the amount of “naptime” I get to be able to work (extends it to 3 hours instead of 2.)
Utilize Technology
Technology is a working mom’s best friend. Use apps and tools to stay organized, communicate efficiently, and manage your workload. Calendar apps, project management tools, and schedulers can help streamline your day and keep everything running smoothly. Just don’t fall down the rabbit hole of social media—we’ve all been there!
I’ve only just begun to try my hand at TikTok, which is absolutely terrifying to me! I have such bad imposter syndrome and I hate trying new things. It took me almost 5 years to start my business… wild right?! But, video is the way of the world now, so I’m here on TikTok if you want to give a follow! My mama account - ashley.k.hernandez & my business account - octoberdreamsstudios
Involve Your Toddler
Involving your toddler in your work can be a fun way to keep them engaged while you get things done. Let them “help” with simple tasks, like sorting papers or playing with their own mini laptop. Mine doesn’t have a mini laptop, but I give her old keyboards to bang around on. I’m also looking into a LeapPad for her soon, once she’s a tiny bit older. Not only does this keep them occupied, but it also makes them feel included and important. Plus, it’s adorable to see them mimic you!
We are very anti-screentime in this household, so no phones or iPads for entertainment! (No judgment to those of you mamas who love screentime or need it to get things done, it just doesn’t work for us in our household, I’d rather deal with a meltdown on occasion.)
Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care
It’s easy to forget to take breaks when you’re balancing work and motherhood, but it’s crucial for your sanity. Schedule regular breaks to stretch, grab a snack, or just breathe. And don’t forget about self-care. Even a few minutes of self-care can recharge your batteries and help you stay on top of your game. You can’t pour from an empty cup, mama!
And I’ll be honest, as someone who is preparing for baby number 2, I definitely forget to take breaks because there is just so much to be done! BUT, then my body shuts down and I can’t do anything for a day or 2 because my baby and pregnant body are screaming at me to rest. You’re better off taking smaller breaks to keep yourself sane and healthy than shutting down for 2 days.
Communicate with Your Partner
If you have a partner, clear communication is essential. Discuss your work schedule and responsibilities, and figure out how you can support each other. Teamwork makes the dream work, and having your partner on board can make the balancing act a lot easier. Plus, it’s always good to have backup when things get hectic.
I have the benefit and detriment of having a husband who is also ambitious and has his own things going on, so we NEED open and clear communication at all times around expectations and needs. Neither of us holds anything back and we lean on each other immensely for business, career, family, gym, etc. support and balance.
Embrace the Chaos
Balancing work and motherhood is no easy feat, but with a bit of planning, flexibility, and a lot of patience, it’s doable. Embrace the chaos, celebrate the small wins, and don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go perfectly. You’re doing an amazing job, and your kid(s) are lucky to have such a hardworking, loving mom.
So here’s to all the work-from-home mamas out there—keep rocking it, one day at a time!