Tips for Working From Home Moms

“Mom-ing” combined with working from home is not always easy. Lines are blurred, roles are hazy, and sometimes you aren’t sure you are really succeeding in either arena. {AHHH}

Enter Boundaries!  Boundaries will help you stabilize your roles, create efficiency and allow definition in both areas of your life. 

I’ve navigated the rough waters of working at home with littles for eight years!! Although my work roles have shifted, the structure and boundaries I use at home have been the saving grace to my sanity.

 I thought I’d share some of the habits and routines I’ve found to be helpful for anyone who currently works from home WITH Kids and allllll the extra obligations & distractions. 

*Note: “Work” is a relative term, and the definition is not as cut and dry as it was in the Mayberry era. If you are a stay at home Mom, that IS work! And besides taking care of your kids and running your home, you probably have a whole host of other duties + projects that you need time for.  

RELATED READING :: How to Keep Kids Entertained While Working From Home

Let’s Do This!

1. Keep Your Schedule Simple:: Plan Routine Tasks & Reoccurring Meetings on the Same Day Each Week:

   Most of us have several repetitive tasks we do daily or weekly that make up our job description. For my job, I need time to coach clients 1×1, I need time to write + blog, I need time to be in the kitchen, and I need time to practice my routine for teaching barre3. I also need time for administrative work like email, social media etc.
   
   What works for keeping all my ducks in a row, is creating a super structured framework of work habits. I set aside specific days and times of the week for each task.
   For example, client meetings are reserved for specific days.  I plan to write on specific days, (preferably mornings with a cup of coffee!) and I plan to meal prep and recipe test on specific days. This method keeps my productivity high because I’ve eliminated the “stop/start” actions that occur when we switch back and forth reactively. Working reactively makes our head spin, and robs us of extra minutes we can’t spare to lose. 
   
   Take a look at your schedule and see where there is naturally less chaos on a daily basis and steak your claim on reoccurring productivity. Maybe it’s at 6:00a before the household was opened their eyes. Maybe it’s nap time, maybe it’s at 3:00p when the kids are focused on home work. Find your “gem” of a time, schedule your reoccurring appointments and get to work.  

2. Prepare for Your Day, The Night Before | Working From Home

I end each day with admin tasks + preparing for the next day. It helps me end on a high note, and start the next day with clear expectations. I suggest you give it a try. Before you close your laptop at 6:00p, list out the top three most important items for the following day. Our brains are fresh and sharp first thing, so put those creative juices to work while you are in the most productive mindset

3. Create a Dedicated Work Space That is Fully Equipped to Meet Your Needs | Working From Home

Make Your Work Space your own!  Make it clean, tidy and decorate it so it makes you happy. Water, lamp, computer, notepad. Whatever you need on the daily, make it accessible and organized!! Your version of organized, prepped and ready could be a small desk in the guest bedroom, or a hall closet turned desk, or small nook in the kitchen. Find your space and make it yours!!! Get in the habit of physically being in “your office” during your office hours. That way you are fully present at “work”.

Then when you are hanging out in the kitchen with your family, you are fully present as a mom/wife too because your laptop isn’t lurking on the kitchen counter summoning you to finish another project. It’s all about boundaries Y’ALL!

4. Disconnect from social media | Working From Home

Let’s face it, Social Media is a huge time suck for all of us. Our phone notifications can be a huge distraction. As much as I enjoy staying “connected”, in order to maintain my productivity I turn off all notifications on my phone. It has done wonders for my creativity and my sanity. I’ve set aside various social media appointments with myself where I’m allowed to check in, respond and post. It’s actually allowed me more presence in my real life, and I love it!

5. Create and Uphold A Morning Routine That Works For You and Feels Good

No matter the capacity of your job, You have to take care of yourself before you serve others!! Drink water, Move your body, Journal, Meditate, Ready Your Bible. Whatever nourishes your body, creates calm in your mind and centers you for the day is the best morning routine. Mine includes lemon water, a quick journal and movement, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! 

Hope this helps organize some of the chaos! You got this Mama!