How to Manage Time as a Work at Home Mom: Tips for Thriving in Every Area

Being a work-at-home mom can be tough. You have to juggle so many roles and sometimes it feels like you’re not doing any of them well. It’s hard to find time for yourself, let alone time to get everything done. This blog post will give you tips for managing your time better as a work-at-home mom. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to take care of yourself, your kids, your home, and your work!

Time Management Tips for Work-at-Home Moms

One of the most challenging things about being a work-at-home mom is learning how to manage your time. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Have Realistic Expectations

The first step to managing your time better is to have realistic expectations. You are not Superwoman and you cannot do it all. It’s important to accept that you will not be able to do everything perfectly. You will make mistakes and have days where you “fall behind” so it’s essential to expect these things so you’re not caught off guard and feel bad about it! And this definitely goes to the expectations you have about other people, too. Your kids will get needy, bored, and so on. There will be interruptions, so try to give everyone grace and be flexible.

Know Your Priorities and Daily Non-Negotiables

The second step is to know your priorities and daily non-negotiables. What are the things that you absolutely must do every day? Don’t just stop there, though. Ask yourself why they’re important. If it’s just something that someone expects of you but doesn’t really matter that much in the grand scheme of things or to you/your family, it’s not a priority. So if you can’t get the laundry put away most days and you simply don’t mind clothes sitting in baskets, don’t put pressure on yourself to consider it a priority in the first place. For example, you can prioritize a clean and tidy home but maybe right now, your housekeeping non-negotiables are dishes and just washing and drying clothes. Think about what makes the biggest difference in all areas, from spending time as a family, working, to housekeeping, and then ask yourself why these things make a big difference. From there, build them into your daily schedules and routines.

Have Entertainment Ready for Your Kids

If you have young children, it’s important to have entertainment ready for them. This can include things like coloring books, puzzles, Play-Doh, and so on. If you have older kids, they might want to watch a movie or play a game on your phone or tablet. Whatever it is, make sure you have it ready so you’re not scrambling to find something for them to do when they get bored! And don’t forget to mix it up with activity setups, sensory kits, toy rotations, and so on as long as it works for you and your family!

Set Office Hours

Another important tip is to set office hours. This will help you to know when it’s time to focus on work and minimize distractions the best you can. Of course, there will be times when you have to work outside of office hours but try to stick to them as much as possible. Depending on the age of your kids, setting this expectation with them is important so they know that you need uninterrupted work time. This can help you to stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Take Breaks

It’s also important to take breaks. This can be a mental break, physical break, or both. Get up and walk around for a few minutes, take a nap, read a book, or do something else that you enjoy. Taking breaks will help you to recharge and avoid burnout.

Start Your Day With A Plan

Wake up each day knowing what you need to accomplish. This will help you stay focused and on track. Make a list of the things you need to do and then prioritize them. Work on the most important tasks first and save the smaller ones for later. If you have time left over, you can always start on the next day’s tasks.

Take Advantage of Technology

There are many helpful technology tools (free or paid) that can help you manage your time better. This can include things like a virtual assistant, online calendar, to-do list app, and so on. By taking advantage of technology, you can make your life easier and have more time for the things that matter most to you.

Bonus Tips for Thriving as a WAHM

In addition to the tips above, here are a few bonus tips to help you thrive as a work-at-home mom.

Find A Support Group

There are many online and in-person groups for work-at-home moms. This can be a great way to connect with other women who are in the same boat as you. You can share tips, advice, and support each other.

Get Organized

Having a clean and organized house will help you feel more in control of your life and be a more calming environment for everyone. Spend a few minutes each day decluttering and organizing your home. Find a routine that works for you and set your own versions of what a clean and organized house looks like to you and your family! Don’t base it on the fancy organizing shows or what trends on social media. There is no one-size-fits-all solution and you may have to test a few different routines and systems, but the right ones make everything else easier for everyone. That means that work-from-home mom life gets much simpler and even more enjoyable because you won’t have so much to think about!

Set Aside Time For Your Kids

Even if it’s just 30 minutes, make sure you’re spending some time each day with your kids before starting in with your hectic schedule. You don’t have to spend a ton of time together, as long as it’s quality time without distractions. A good general goal is first thing in the morning, before and after naps, and around meal times. Of course, this will totally depend on your kids, but the point is to prioritize quality time with your kids so their cups are full. When their cups are full they tend to play independently more and have more confidence – among other things! And, this will help you stay connected and bonded with them.

Prioritize Taking Care Of Yourself

Be sure to schedule time for exercise, healthy meals, and relaxation. Whether it’s taking a few minutes to enjoy a cup of coffee or going for a walk, make sure you’re taking some time each day to do something for yourself that lights you up and helps you decompress. If you’re taking care of yourself, you’ll be better able to take care of everything and everyone else in your life. This also means taking care of your emotional and mental well-being. Doing so sets a positive example for your kids and partner while helping you reduce stress and avoid burnout.

Delegate and Outsource

In order to manage your time better, it’s important to delegate and outsource things you don’t have time for or enjoy. This can include things like hiring a babysitter, hiring a housekeeper, or having meals delivered. It can also mean delegating to your partner and children, or other people in your household. By delegating and outsourcing, you can free up your time so you can focus on the things that are most important to you.

The Gist

The tips above are just a few of the things you can do to manage your time as a work-at-home mom. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Find what works for you and your family and go with it!