Working from home with a toddler has been quite interesting. Okay, okay, it’s been a heck of a challenge. There’s been so many tears during this new life venture, and I’m pretty sure I cried more than she did. My daughter is three years old now and I am glad to say that after 9 months of working from home with her by my side every single day, we have finally figured it out! So, I’m going to share some great tips that help us get through the week.

Be the First One Awake

Wake up early. If you’re anything like me, then you probably love sleeping in every morning. Well, sorry to be the one to tell you, but that’s gotta change. Give yourself at least one hour before you have to wake the kids, maybe even two. Take some time to wake up; shower, brew some coffee, read a little or listen to your favorite podcast for a few minutes. This way you start your day on a calm note, no rush, no fuss, just a slow feeling morning. This sets you up for success and helps you avoid riding the working mom struggle bus so early in the morning.

Be a Part of the Start of Their Day 

Eat breakfast together. If you can swing it, make it a point to eat breakfast with your kids every morning. Especially if you have toddlers. And put the phone away, be present with them. They miss you during the day even though you might be in the same room or your home office. But, if you give them windows of undivided attention before they have to begin independent play, they will appreciate it.

Lower Your Expectations

Lower your expectations. Now, this is not an easy feat I know. But, for the sake of your job and your sanity you are going to need to lower them. What I mean is that you’re going to have to be okay with your home being a little messier than normal. Dishes might pile up some days, some days the laundry hamper will resemble the highest of mountains, other days the living room will look like a minefield of Lego bricks. But, it’s fine, you can catch up later.

Ask For Help

Teamwork makes the dream work! Ask your spouse/partner for help. You both work, share the load! If you cook, they can do dishes. If you sweep, they can mop. We clean on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, not deep clean. But cleaning during the week allows us to keep our weekends a little more open for projects and fun. I also expect my daughter to help with chores, this helps them earn money and gaming time.

Activity Table 

Set up an activity table or space for your toddler. We usually set up a couple of things around the dining table for my toddler. My go to activity set ups include playdoh, water colors, washable paints, and paper crafts. I sometimes use the Cricut Joy to cut out different shapes, set out a couple glue sticks, and my toddler can last a good hour making all sorts of creations.

The Inevitable Screen Time 

Embrace the tablet. Yup, I said it. I didn’t like it either, but the tablet is this work from home mom’s best friend. Toddlers like to be busy, which means it’s only a matter of time before they get tired of playing with legos and playdough. At some point during your 8 hour work day you’re going to have to give into some screen time. And you know what, it definitely helps work from home moms get a couple of extra minutes to focus on work. It doesn’t have to be all bad. The Amazon Fire with Amazon Free Time provides a full library of age appropriate games, interactive books, and  videos and clips of their favorite shows. Hands down my favorite tablet for kids, I love that we do not have to worry about the kids going down the Youtube rabbit hole.

Take Breaks With Your Toddler

It’s easy for working from home moms to skip meals and breaks. However, you need to take your breaks and lunch. Do not work through them! Take some time for you and your toddler to eat a snack together. I do snacks on purpose during my 15 minute breaks, snacks are quick and they will come to understand that once the snack is done it is time to return to work for mommy. For lunch we try to squeeze in a few minutes of play. I like to go outside for a bit so she can get some wiggles out on the trampoline or even ride her tricycle around for a bit. If you need another reason, taking your breaks and meals helps boost productivity and focus.

Conclusion

I hope these tips  help you navigate working from home with your small child. It can be a challenge, but with the right support system, mindset, and a good routine, it is possible. Don’t forget to take your breaks during your work day. Even if you don’t spend every single one with your toddler, you need time to recharge. Trust me, you will be far more productive if you take breaks throughout your day. And most importantly, give yourself some grace! Remember not to be so hard on yourself during this transition. The chores can wait and any dinner is a good dinner.

Work from home moms/parents: if you have any tips you’d like to share with us please don’t be shy and comment them down below!

Thanks for reading!