Time Management For Moms Who Work From Home

If you want to work from home and homeschool your kids, then time management for moms who work from home is going to be your secret weapon.

The post will not be the normal time management for moms who work from home. You know things like how to prioritize your time to get more done. Or how to magically multiply your time.

If you are a working and homeschooling, you are already getting a lot done. I’m not sure if we can add any more to that. And we all have the same number of hours, so multiplying time would truly be magical.

But knowing how to divide your time, organize your tasks, create habits and plan to get things done is the secret sauce for a successful homeschool and work from home business.

This post is going to let you in on all my tips for time management for moms who work from home.

Time Management for Moms Who Work from Home: Working with Kids

You are juggling a lot of mom roles, and it takes the precision of a tight-rope walker to balance it all. When you work at home with kids, it adds another layer to juggle. So tight rope walker juggling on a tight rope.

Learning systems and how to manage your time at home is an essential skill to success. Yes, life changes, so the strategies of time management for moms who work from home need to bend and change with you.

One essential that I always recommend is to have your workspace and school space in the same place. If you can, then work and school together. Yes, this creates a lot of noise. But it is how you stay available to your kids during the day.

There are times when I’ve taken phone calls in the bathroom or the garage. Those are the quietest places in the house. For the most part, we work and school in the same place.

The kids can ask me questions, and I can keep an eye on their computer screens. For the most part, they are independent, but if they need me, I am available.

This is probably the most important thing I can do for our work and homeschool.

Why Time Management for Moms Who Work from Home is Essential

Call me Captain Obvious, but you have a lot on your plate. The demands of work and school are a lot. Then add things like people want to eat, every single day. Then you notice every little thing that needs to be fixed or cleaned around the house. After that, you are back to grading schoolwork while planning your clients’ next social media campaign. You need to figure out if you can squeeze in that other activity. You know the one that every homeschool family is doing. And then you are feeding them again.

It is a lot. The only way to really juggle it all is to have a plan, work the plan, the plans go off the rails, and you make a new plan. Despite all of this, you can still get things done and crush your goals. It may take a bit more time than you are used to. And you will need to adjust when the plans go off the rails.

Schedule or Routine

I actually have a mini-course on schedule vs routine. If you want to take back the chaos of your day and stay focused, motivated, and productive. Then you need to create routines.

I know there is a lot of hype around time-blocking and doing deep work. This is great if you have childcare, or your kids aren’t around for large chunks of time. I often tell my husband, “I could get so much done if I had a few hours of uninterrupted time.” The time never comes, so I need to figure out how to still get things done with constant interruptions. And it is possible.

After many years of trial and error, I’ve landed on the best way to plan your days, tame the chaos, accomplish goals, and still have flexibility with your day.

The secret is to create routines instead of schedules. Instead of scheduling every minute of your day, and inevitably fail every day. Routines will give you the flexibility you need in your day while still accomplishing colossal tasks.

Routines for Sane Time Management for Moms Who Work from Home

Here are 5 routines to create, so you keep your sanity, and your kids know what to do.

1. Morning routine

Creating morning routines for you and your kids will set the tone for your entire day. Having a good morning routine is essential to creating a day that runs on autopilot.

Ensuring that your kids have a morning routine will also eliminate the need to nag. I mean constantly remind them of what they need to be doing.

2. Workout routine

Your physical and mental health are your greatest assets. It is also the two things we put on the back burner and hope we get to it.

Create a workout that you will actually do consistently and that you can build on. It is possible to work, homeschool, and work out at home.

3. School routine

Your kids should have a school routine as well. There is a lot of freedom in homeschooling. So find what gives you the most freedom while still getting the work done.

One thing that works for us is nothing else can be done until schoolwork is finished. The kids are free to do their subjects in the order they like. They can also take as many breaks as they want. But fun stuff doesn’t happen until schoolwork is finished. This is a great motivator to get it done.

4. Work routine

Yes, you need a routine to manage your clients and your tasks. This will also help set boundaries for your office hours too.

I get up before my kids so I can work on my blog. Then I start on client work. This helps me to feel like I have a head start on the day. I also end work about the same time every day.

This will also help you avoid distractions and getting side-tracked with all those things around the house. Your brain knows that it is work time, so it will start kicking in.

5. Evening routine

You need to wind down, your kids want to eat, and you need to spend time together. Create an evening routine that helps you prepare for the next day.

One thing we try to do every night is eat dinner together. Now that the kids are older and working, we might have one missing from the dinner table. But this time is probably the most important for everyone. We share, we talk, and we are all together.

It helps us process the events of our day, share what’s going on, and connect with each other. It is easy for everyone to head in different directions. The dinner table anchors us all back to the things that are most important.

These routines will help you create habits, and these habits are essential to accomplishing your big goals. Your brain also starts to do them without thinking about it. So, you free up brain space. And we all can use some more brain space.

Involve Your Kids Around the House

You kids aren’t just at home to do schoolwork. This is also your opportunity to teach them life skills and involve them around the house. So delegate age-appropriate chores or errands to them. I love having a teen driver in the house. He does my post office runs and grocery store runs. This takes a huge load off my plate and my mind.

If your kids aren’t teens yet, you have a lot to look forward to. There are so many benefits to teens in the house.

You can also delegate work tasks to them. My 3 oldest kids have helped in my businesses to one degree or another. Whether it was editing my podcast show or creating my KDP A+ content. Even my 10-year-old has helped with editing my word search activity books. Yes, I pay them to help me. So, this also gives them job skills when they apply for jobs.

Your kids can be a great help around the house and in your business. It also counts as homeschool activities. Everyone benefits.

Conclusion: Time Management for Moms Who Work from Home

If you are ready to implement routines instead of schedules, then check out routine vs schedule. This easy course will take you step-by-step through the process of creating routines. Tame the chaos of your day.

FAQ: Time Management for Moms Who Work from Home and Homeschool

Q: How can I balance homeschooling with working from home?

Balancing both roles requires a combination of structured routines and flexibility. Create specific routines for your work, homeschool, and household tasks. Morning and evening routines help set the day up for success and allow for winding down. Involve your kids in household responsibilities to lighten your load.

Q: Should I create a schedule or routine to manage my day?

A routine is often more effective than a strict schedule, especially with kids around. Routines provide structure but allow flexibility for the unexpected. Time-blocking and deep work can work well if you have childcare or quiet periods, but routines are more realistic for moms managing multiple roles.

Q: How can I make time for exercise with a busy schedule?

Your health is important, so prioritize a workout routine you can stick to consistently. Find activities that you enjoy and that fit into your day, even if they’re short. Exercise boosts energy levels and can be done at home, around your homeschooling and work duties.

Q: How do I keep my kids engaged in their homeschooling tasks independently?

Establish a school routine that allows freedom within structure. For example, you might let them choose the order of their subjects or take breaks as long as schoolwork is completed before other activities. This approach encourages independence and helps them take responsibility for their tasks.

Q: How do I set boundaries between work and family time?

Setting clear routines for work hours helps establish boundaries. Start work before the kids wake up, if possible, and end your workday around the same time daily. This consistency signals to your brain that it’s time to work or stop working. Communicate your boundaries with family members to minimize interruptions.

Q: What should I do if my routines get disrupted?

Life with kids can be unpredictable. When routines get disrupted, adjust as needed and don’t stress over minor setbacks. Accept that things may not go as planned and that flexibility is key. Start with what you can control and continue to adjust your routines over time.