5 Tips to Getting Things Done as a Work From Home Mom. I run my own photography business and am currently working on building a blog and Youtube channel…I also have two crazy busy toddler boys who I stay home with full time. My life feels busy, from creating wedding day timelines to digging belt buckles out of the toilet (yep, that happened this morning). How you might ask, do you get everything done?? I know you ask this because I also ask this of my favorite bloggers, authors, homeschooling moms…anyone with kids honestly, I wonder how they do it all?!
I want to share 5 tips that might help you squeeze in that time you need to run your business and work on your projects. These are things I have found help me stay on top of work and feel less crazy! Even while getting enough time with my family and keeping the house flowing!
1: Organization is key.
I really could write an entire blog post just on this topic!! I have a planner that stays with me throughout the day, and this planner is essentially my brain. Now, you could use your phone for a digital planner, but I’m old fashioned and find a lot of joy in pens and highlighters.
Every Sunday, I sit down and plan out my tasks for the week ahead. I know what I need to get done for photography, blogging, and youtube. This includes the big picture down to details like social media posting. This organization sets you up for being so productive with your time! When I have a minute or a few hours to work, I know exactly what I need to be working on and what my goal for the week is.
Knowing your tasks for the week makes it easier to NOT waste time scrolling through IG or twirling your thumbs wondering what the heck you should be working on. Believe me, I have done (and do, sometimes) both. If you only take one thing away from this article let it be this one: Organize your week!! Know what you need to be working on in those precious moments when you have a chance!
2: Find help with Childcare.
I know everyone’s situation is different here, and finding childcare for even a few hours a week can be very difficult. Let me offer up a few ideas and what has worked for me. To be honest, I would have a MUCH harder time with my job if I didn’t have help with my kiddos. Getting a few hours to focus on my work is absolute gold and I wish every mama in the world could have that.
My MIL takes the boys twice a week for 4 hours. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I KNOW that I have that time to dig into whatever things are most difficult when they are home. Sometimes, this looks like me deep cleaning the house ha (impossible when they are here). This time has been a pivotal aspect of me building my business!
If you have family members in your area, reach out and see if they could take your kids or just come hang out with them for a few hours every week.
Another simple option is hiring a high-schooler to come to play with your kids once or twice a week. Even if you had someone monitor and make sure your kids aren’t hitting your car with rocks and dumping sand in the house (YES this also happened recently), it might give you enough free brain space and time to focus on a few things!
If money is too tight to hire help, try reaching out to other mamas you know for a kid swap. You take their kids for a few hours in exchange for the same favor! You are building a community for yourself and your kids, helping another mama out AND getting much-needed time to yourself. It’s a win-win-win.
3: Take advantage of nap time, quiet time, TV time, and bedtime.
I know this one is probably the most obvious tip, but remember number 1? Knowing your weekly tasks goes hand in hand with taking advantage of the moments you do get when your kids are home, even if it’s just a few minutes!!
My boys share a room, so getting them to nap at the same time is almost impossible (UGH. Wouldn’t that be heaven??). But it does mean that for a portion of the day, I only have one because the other is sleeping. I will spend one-on-one time with each, and then also set aside time for independent play. This could be us both outside on the lawn if it’s nice, or inside working on puzzles or drawing. But it’s a perfect time for me to pull out my laptop and answer emails, or do whatever I need to do in that 15-30 minute span I can get.
If by some miracle, they take a nap at the same time, I work on things that require my full attention like recording videos and editing.
The time I’ve found that works the best is after they go to bed. I really do love having relaxing evenings with my husband, but putting even just an hour of work in goes a long way. Our kids go down at 7, so that means from about 7:30-8:30 (or later if I feel like it) it’s the perfect time for me to finish up tasks or plan our projects for the next day.
You know your kid’s schedules, and when it would be easiest to sneak in work time. Maybe it’s mornings, and waking up before them? Maybe only nap time or afternoon quiet time.
4: Get Hubby Involved!
My husband is in charge of dinner, clean up & bedtime one night a week. This is a new thing we are trying and *I* love it…hehe. From about 5 to 7, he is in charge of everything kid. I will either lock myself in our shop with my laptop or block all sounds out of my office because MAMA-IS-WORKING.
This has been SO helpful for me. Having times during the week that I KNOW are set aside for me to get work done, allow me to relax when I’m not working and stay present with my kids. If something is pressing and needs my attention, I know I have a work block coming up soon where I can address it. It relieves stress which is basically as beneficial to me as the work time itself!
5: Find areas in your life you can simplify.
I think this tip comes down to, you simply can’t do it all. Some things you need to let go, or simplify, to save you time and stress. One of the biggest areas of my life I have simplified is meals.
I used to stress out every single day about what to make for dinner. There was no rhythm or system in place, so something as simple as cooking became a giant task that took up energy that could have been going to my kids or work. I will probably dedicate an entire post to this in the future, but this is what I do now; Every Saturday, I plan meals for the week ahead AND order the groceries I need for pick up. After that, I basically have to put no thought into dinner anymore. I simply look at my planner every day, see what’s on the menu, and follow directions for putting it together. It freed up so much brain space and has given me back the time that I now use to work or play with my kids!
I hope these tips have been helpful to you! I’m not perfect, and I don’t follow these ideas all the time, but when I do, things run so much smoother. My goal at the heart of this is to give my children and family the time and attention they need from me, while also providing an income and working on passions. No day is the same, and certainly not perfectly scheduled. I’m constantly trying to find that balance between work and family, but it’s a journey I am honored to be on and share with you! What are some ways that you find time to work as a stay-at-home-mom?
Check out this recent newborn lifestyle session, and 5 must-have props for newborn shoots!
