9 Best Tips for Success As a Work-From-Home Mom

Being a mom working from home means you probably don’t have much time, and every moment is valuable. It’s crucial to figure out how to do well and not go crazy. Here are important things for success as a work-from-home mom.

Choose What You Love

The first key to success as a work-from-home mom is doing something you love! If you’re diving into a busy and hectic lifestyle, make sure the work you choose is something you genuinely enjoy. When you’re not excited about your work, each day can become more stressful and less motivating.

Picking a type of work that gets you pumped up means you’ll wake up each morning eager to tackle the tasks ahead!

Here’s how I see it: If I’m using my precious “baby-free” time during the day for something, it should be both income-generating and something I can’t wait to do! We all know our limited free time could be spent in other ways, but we’re choosing to do something that supports our family. So, it’s essential to find joy in it!

Establish Your Routine

Some might say I spend a bit too much at Starbucks, and I’d have to agree. But I’ve realized it’s become a crucial part of my routine, helping me grow my business. I picked up this tip from my admirable cousin, a successful work-from-home mom. After dropping the kids at preschool, she swings by Starbucks. It’s her ritual, marking the shift from mom mode to work mode.

Your ritual doesn’t have to involve Starbucks – it could be sipping tea, changing clothes, turning on music, or anything else. The key is to find something that smoothly moves you from “home time” to “work time” during naps.

Use Drive Time Wisely

Plan your calls when you know you’ll be in the car. I’ve been known to leave early and take the scenic route to library story-time to make a call on the way. It’s much more efficient than using precious nap time hours for a call.

Make Time to Relax

This is super important! As a mom working from home, it often means working all day, every night, and even on weekends. Finding moments to relax without work can be challenging.

Even if it’s just 15-20 minutes a day, it can make a big difference. You need to step away from your work and, if possible, take a break from the kiddos just to sit and do nothing!

Find a time when your spouse or another family member can take over, giving you a small chunk of time for yourself. If that’s not possible, consider using the first 15-20 minutes of naptime or bedtime to relax instead of diving into work.

Clearing your mind and giving your body a rest, even for a short while, is crucial!

Step Outside

Being a work-from-home mom means spending most of your day indoors, and that’s okay! But, for your sanity and probably for your kiddos’ sanity, too, it’s great to step outside.

It could be a simple walk around the neighborhood or a visit to the playground. A trip to the grocery store or Target also counts. You can even plan special days when you have less work and take your kid or kids to something fun, like the zoo or a movie.

There are likely chunks of the day when work is on hold, so why not use that time to get out and have some fun?

Try Walking Meetings

Luckily, I’m the boss of my own business, so I can run things the way I like. I decide when to involve my daughter and when it’s best to keep things professional by working alone. When people suggest meeting for coffee, I often propose getting coffee and going for a walk instead.

This way, I can have meetings without needing a babysitter, and I personally enjoy talking while walking. It feels more natural and is better for our health.

Stay Neat and Tidy

Staying organized is a must when you’re juggling kids and work full-time. Your mind can feel all over the place, thinking about what you need to do, where to go, and how to keep the kids entertained.

A helpful way to stay organized is by using a planner. Write down important dates for the kids, errands to run, and daily work tasks. Having it all written down reduces the chances of forgetting something crucial.

Another method I personally use is keeping a list on my phone’s notes app. I use the checklist option, creating a daily list of tasks. Checking off each one as I finish gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Sure, there are days with only a few checked boxes, and that’s okay! Most days, ticking off tasks keeps me motivated and ensures nothing important slips my mind.

Get Some Help

It took me a while to realize how valuable getting help can be. When you need it, hire someone. There will be times when you require a babysitter to meet a deadline or attend a crucial meeting. That’s absolutely fine! It’s good for your child to spend time with others, and you deserve a break too.

I’ve also started outsourcing more technical and design aspects of my business because it takes me way too long to figure things out. The time and frustration saved are well worth the money. Another part of my effort to find balance was hiring a house cleaner.

The time and, more importantly, the annoyance this saved have been significant. Now, I don’t have to beg my husband for help, and I don’t feel guilty when I haven’t cleaned the bathroom in weeks.

Look Ahead

The final key to success as a work-at-home mom is planning ahead. Knowing what’s coming in the next day or days is crucial for feeling prepared and staying sane.

One way to plan ahead is to make a list for the next day, the night before. I personally do this in bed before I sleep, reflecting on what I accomplished and what needs attention tomorrow.

You can also do this first thing in the morning or in the evenings after the kids are asleep, reviewing your day. This is a vital part of my routine. As a planner, I like knowing what’s ahead and what tasks need completion. It’s been essential for growing my VA business, ensuring I allocate time for specific work. Writing everything down ensures nothing is forgotten and helps with prioritization.

So, take the time to plan each day. Even if not everything gets done, you can prioritize the most important tasks and tackle the rest the next day!

Final Thoughts: Tips for Success As a Work-From-Home Mom

Working from home is a real blessing. You get to be with your little ones every day and bring in some cash for the family while doing your own thing!

It’s not an effortless journey, but if you keep things organized and find moments to unwind, it’s absolutely worth the effort!