Trying to find time to do it all? Here are some of my own time management tips that help me find the right balancing act in parenting.
Because we all have an insanely busy schedule.
When I took the leap a year ago and decided to work from home, I knew I was in for a ride. With a little one constantly by my side, I knew that being a WAHM also meant being a SAHM. Would I be able to handle it? Would I be able to focus on my career while being an attentive, caring mother?
I reflected on the time management tips I received throughout my education and various careers. In fact, as a former leader in retail, time management was key in running a well-oiled machine. I think experience in fast-paced industries (like fashion retail) has helped me in finding the right balance as a work-at-home-mom.
Here are some rules I live by:
WAHM Balancing Act: Some of my Best Time Management Tips
Lists for Productivity
Grab a pen, agenda, and a highlighter. Now, make them your best friends.
I thrive off of lists. I fill out my schedule, week by week, in order to prioritize projects and meet deadlines. Not to mention, the simple act of highlighting a completed task keeps me incredibly motivated. It’s a nice way to track how much you’ve done in a work day.
Routine is Key but Having a Plan B is Okay, Too
Kids thrive off routine. Heck, I love routine just as much as the next toddler.
As a family, we strive to keep an ongoing schedule. Sometimes though, things can go off track – and that’s totally okay. When I plan things out for the week, I always ask myself (about) the “what ifs”. Or, rather than panicking when things don’t go as planned, I think quickly and look for a new alternative.
Seeking Help
I’m lucky to have family nearby to help out. When I’m having a particularly hectic week, I’ve got a handful of loved ones who’ll swing by to lend a hand.
Remember, there’s never any shame in asking for help when you need it.
Schedule Breaks
I’ve learned that working for myself is hectic day-to-day. My schedule is always filled to the brim with projects and deadlines.
Over the last year, I’ve learned the importance in scheduling breaks, despite how busy I may be. I feel my best when I am well-rested and, therefore, my productivity levels shoot up. It also enables me to be a more hands-on parent.
I’ll keep these in mind. I do make sure I take breaks, otherwise I’ll lose my mind. I also try to have a list of things I need to accomplish for the day.
I always get up an hour early to get things done and just have me time before everyone else wakes up. Amazing what you can get accomplished in one hour.
This is a good reminder of learning how to slow down just a little bit sometimes. It also reminds me that I need to ask for help when I’m getting overwhelmed.
Working from home isn’t easy. It takes a lot of discipline and as you said keeping a routine. It didn’t go that well for me. I ended up getting a part-time job, which I love.
What great tips! It’s definitely hard to balance your time when you work from home. For a while, both my husband AND I worked from home!
I really struggle with balance and getting everything done in a day. I will definitely take these things into consideration.
The two things that saved me were lists and help. I hired a housekeeper (I was a full time teacher) and took some of our laundry out. It was such a blessing.
I am a huge believer in lists! I make a list for everything because it helps me stay productive and it just feels good to mark things off!
I am also a working at home mom and these are definitely a great and helpful tips for me to do and the most important for me is to have someone who can help me in times of my hectic schedules.
My lists get me through the day. And I agree don’t be afraid to ask for help. We all need it from time to time.
It is not easy for me find the balance but I’m trying. I think these are all important, I love schedule breaks!
I love all these tips and they are definitely important when you are a work from home mom. One thing that has helped me ( and keeps me from going insane) is making time for things I enjoy also. I wake up at least 2hrs before my daughter has to be up for school. I do my workout, take my shower and have my breakfast. Usually, when I am eating breakfast I also listen to some kind of motivational video and that has been amazing!
Great tips. Anytime you can share parenting tips is a win!
Great tips for busy moms. These will help me for sure!
These are amazing tips, they will totally help busy moms out
Having a plan B is a great idea, thanks for sharing
Oh girl, where was this post last week when I was just about to pull my hair out I was so disorganized for some reason and that’s not like me. Thanks for the great tips and reminders
I still don’t know how I do it after all of these years. I love your tips, I’m going to start asking for more help. Thanks for the ideas!
Yes! It’s not easy working from home, but it can be quite rewarding. I need to pencil in more breaks.
I’ve been working at home for 7 years. Time management is very important. Thanks for sharing useful tips.
I would actually love to start working from home when I become a Mom, that’s actually one of my goals. Become a full time blogger. but that’s still very early 😛 I do like to make lists to get things done. don’t know if that’s helpful!
I’m such a list maker, but I never include giving myself a break. I’m going to start scheduling that in. Thank you!
I have a one year old, so I have a schedule, but I have to be flexible. Sometimes little man just needs his mama and I get no work done! But that’s the joy of working from home!