Some days feels like chaos as a working at home mom. Even to the point of researching private school tuition and wondering if you should get an office job.
But not every day as a working at home mom should be chaos. Yes, it is fun to laugh and tell stories about it because kids can be completely hilarious. But if your working at home is always feeling chaotic, then it is time to create a plan. Yes, you can transform your chaos into calm.
Being a working at home mom isn’t easy. The line between mom and business professional gets blurry really fast. One minute you are closing a big deal and the next minutes you are answering questions about whether or not hulk wears underwear…you know those important academic questions. Yes, it does get crazy sometimes. And, yes, I have looked up the cost of private school tuition, but even in the middle of the crazy you can thrive.
If I’m honest, most days for us are pretty boring. But boring is good. The crazy is the exception not the rule.
Mom, if you’re juggling work, homeschool, family, and everything in between, then grab your coffee (you need that to conquer the world), let’s tame the chaos, and create a plan for working at home mom.
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Working at Home Mom: The Chaos is Not a Sign of Failure
Mom, some days are going to feel more chaotic then others, but it isn’t a sign of failure. It is part of the mom package, and it can be really fun.
Ditch the Pinterest-perfect days. Wear your pjs all day, heat up the same cup of coffee three times, and embrace the imperfect.
This time with our kids is very short. I know some days feel like 5 years, but it is true—the days are long, but the years are short.
As a mom of young adults to kindergarten, I see this reality every day. The time that we have with them as kids is really limited. It is a very short time frame. Enjoy every moment. Drinking hot coffee is overrated anyway.
Create a Working at Home Mom Routine
But chaos shouldn’t be an everyday thing. So let’s come up with a plan that will help you tame the chaos and take control of your day.
It is rare to almost hear the angels sing. But when I discovered how easy creating routines were, I think I did.
Creating routines are going to help you take control of your day. It is possible to banish the mom mental load and tame the chaos.
Your work from home and homeschool life doesn’t need to be defined by chaos. Mom, you can set your day on autopilot, take the mundane tasks off your mind so you can think creatively, and balance work and homeschool.
It all starts with a routine.
Avoid To Do List Overwhelm as a Working at Home Mom
Your to do list is your life, your memory, and your guide for the day. But sometimes, it can get overwhelming. There’s just too much to do and not enough time. If you want to manage your working at home mom day without the overwhelm, then part of plan is to avoid to do list overwhelm.
The to do list is like the life-blood of your day. You can’t move or plan without it. At least it is for me. I live by my to do list.
You write it all out so you can see what needs to be done and check those boxes when it does get done. I love that part. The downside of writing it all out is it is visually overwhelming. You want to cry when you see everything that you need to do. But you can avoid to do list overwhelm. Take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and let’s tackle it.
I have seven ways to avoid to do list overwhelm, like ditch SMART goals, create habits, get into the groove of routine, but I am going to give you my number one and most obvious recommendation.
Keep it light. It is impossible to do everything. It is very easy to add everything to your to do list notebook and get overly ambitious.
I’ve been keeping a to do list for so many years, and at this point I have a pretty good idea of what I can handle in a week. Plan a week with what you think you can handle, then evaluate your to do list at the end. Did you accomplish everything? Are you completely exhausted even though you did accomplish it? Make the necessary adjustments. This is all about testing and changing until you find what works for you.
Making Room for Mom Self-Care
I am not talking about massages or expensive retreats. True mom self-care is finding those margins in your day to take a moment for yourself. What do you need today? Is it 15 minutes of quiet while sipping your coffee, or a walk, maybe you need a dance party with your kids, is it journaling, or maybe you just need a creative escape.
Mom self-care doesn’t require hours of your day. Find the micro-moments to recharge throughout the day. You will probably be surprised. And remember to laugh. It really is good medicine, and when you are having a bad day, it can really help bring you out of it.
What to do When it All Falls Apart (because it will)
You are going to have days that are less than perfect. They might even be total chaos. Kids get sick, and when you have a big family it is usually all at the same time. Puke flying in tandem. And you are still juggling clients.
When everything feels like it is crashing around you, take a deep breath and remember it will get better. All of your days are not like this. Tear and laughter are both allowed in this moment.
Mom, if it isn’t getting better then take a break from everything—clients and schoolwork. One of the benefits of being a working at home mom is we can.
Working at Home Mom: Grace, Grit, and Getting it Done
Being a working at home mom isn’t easy, and it isn’t about finding the balance. It is about finding your rhythm, getting those moments of recovery, and coming through with resilience.
There isn’t a perfect system or routine that will magically erase the chaos. But with a mug of coffee, a plan that fits your life, and the right mindset, you build something meaningful in the mess.
Find your groove as a working at home mom.
FAQ: Working at Home Mom
Q: How do I stay productive with kids around?
A: Focus on small pockets of uninterrupted time, use independent activities, and plan your top 3 priorities the night before.
Q: What’s the best schedule for a work at home mom?
A: Ditch the schedule and create a routine that works for you. Start with a morning routine and build from there.
Q: How can I avoid burnout?
A: Schedule rest. Build in micro-moments of self-care, lower your expectations, and give yourself permission to slow down.
Q: How do I explain to my kids that I need to work?
A: Just tell them. It is ok for your kids to learn patience. Create routines that will form habits of work and school, so your kids will know when you are working.
Q: What if I feel like I’m failing at both work and motherhood?
A: You’re not alone—and you’re not failing. This is hard. Extend yourself grace, simplify where you can, and find your community.
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