How To Work From Home With Kids

Many moms dream of having the best of both worlds—working while being around their adorable kids; providing for their families and fulfilling career dreams, while getting to be a full-time parent at the same time. And with the technology of today, many moms get to live their dreams of working from the comfort of their home while getting to be there for their kids at the same time.

I’m so lucky that this dream is my reality. I work from home, going into the office when I want or need to, and I could not feel more lucky. But that doesn’t mean that some days aren’t hard; some days our house is a mess and we order takeout for dinner. Some days we cancel trips to the park because of unexpected meetings, or work projects are delayed because my son is sick. But I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Working from home isn’t always easy. It takes balance, organization, and dedication to rock both of your jobs. This guide will help set you up for success so you can work from home and be the kind of mom you want to be at the same time. 

1. Wake up earlier. When you work from home and are a mom to kids, waking up early is key. Whether you wake up to work, meditate, clean, or work out; the hours before your kids wake up are key times to get things done.
2. Communicate with your boss. Keep an open dialogue with your boss so you know the hours they expect you to work, when they expect you to be available, and more. When you work from home, this kind of communication is key to make sure you understand what’s expected of you so you can deliver.
3. Utilize nap time. Nap time is essential to getting tons of work done during the day. Nap time is a solid two or three hour chunk of time where you can really get rolling. Good nap routines are key to making sure your little one takes a good solid nap. This nap helps them be ready for the rest of the day and helps you have a time where you know you can have meetings and uninterrupted work time.
4. Don’t end your workday at 5. If your boss is flexible with your hours, you’ll greatly benefit from doing some work after bedtime. My evenings are full of talking to my husband or watching a movie, and doing some work. I much prefer this because I can spend the time that my son is awake playing with him, and then can take another hour or two after he goes to sleep to finish up work. I still have some time for myself before I head to bed, which makes it a great way to end the day. 
5. Don’t feel guilty. Some days my son watches a movie because I have a lot of work to do or meetings to be on. This is a conscious choice on my part, and when I decided I didn’t need to feel guilty about it, I felt so much relief! You have to stop feeling guilty about putting on a show, giving kids some crayons so you can answer emails, or taking a phone call at the park from time-to-time. Know that this is part of your life, and it’s fine!
6. Organize, organize, organize. I know exactly what tasks need to be done during my day and keep a to-do list on my computer so I know exactly what comes next. I also know what days of the week I need to do shopping, certain cleaning tasks, etc. This organization helps you, your family, and your coworkers all understand what to expect from you in a day.
7. Ask for help! Never be afraid to ask for help! Maybe you need a babysitter a few afternoons a week. Maybe you need someone to help you with cleaning or cooking or grocery delivery. Maybe you need your husband to take a Saturday a month with the kids so you can work. It’s all ok!!! Don’t be afraid to get the help you need so you can create a successful career and parenting situation for yourself.
8. Utilize your phone. I get notifications from work on my phone so that I can feel connected even if I’m sitting in a doctor’s office. I can answer questions or let people know when I’ll be available to help. This way my coworkers know what to expect from me, and I don’t have to feel frantic all the time that I’m missing something.
9. RELAX. You can’t be perfect at everything all the time. And that’s ok. Your family is understanding. Likely, your bosses are understanding, too. Let go and realize that you’re doing much better than you think you are. 

Working from home can seem like this perfect dream, but it’s not always simple. Even on the tough days, you can rock two jobs at once and have a career and family life that you’ve been dreaming of.