I’m a mum of three, with two cats and two businesses—life is ridiculously busy at times and I think working from home is more difficult for mums than for dads. Mums working from home tend to have a heavier mental load due to all the household jobs and parenting. The cherry on the top is getting to do your actual work that’s needed to contribute and pay the bills!
It’s essential for me that I have something in place to help with time management. I am pretty sure that I am undiagnosed ADHD, it explains a lot of things for me. I do struggle with doing things if I don’t have a routine set up. Things soon get overwhelming and I become almost paralysed with it all. It’s taken me a while to get things organised in a way that I can work and parent effectively whilst keeping the house in decent order. This blog shares some of the methods that I use to keep myself in check. It’s not an overnight thing, and it will take some getting used to but it’s worth it.
Understand Your Priorities
Identify non-negotiables
Some things cannot be negotiated at all. We have things that we have to do whether we like it or not. Start by identifying what your non-negotiables are. Things like the school run, dinner time, bedtime routines, kid’s extracurricular activities, you know the sort of thing. Sit down and make a list of the things you have to do and when you need to do them.
Categorize tasks
Now you’ve got your non-negotiables let’s categorise them. Urgent vs. flexible, work-related vs. family-related etc. This way you can ensure the things that are the highest priority do get done, and if there is something flexible, we can move it around a little. For example, getting the kids to school on time is 100% a priority and can’t be changed and a non-negotiable of checking your work emails could be shifted back or forwards to accommodate it. If you’re allocating a time slot, you’re much more likely to do these things.
Top Tip: Use a planner or app to map out priorities daily. I would be lost without my diary and a to-do list. I’d just get what needs to be done urgently and then be overwhelmed trying to remember everything else that needs to be done!
Set a Routine That Works for You
Now that you’ve got your list of priorities, get a routine in place. I work in 30-minute blocks to get things done. I know that the school run in the morning lasts 30 minutes. Then I dedicate 1hr 30 to work etc. I’m such a stickler for routine it helps me, I hope it can help either mums working from home too.
My Routine
My Routine on an average day:
- 6.30 am Wake up at
- 6.30 – 8 am Empty dishwasher, feed cats, breakfast, get ready for the day etc.
- 8 am – 8.30 am School run time
- 8.30 am – 10 am Work
- 10 am – 10.30 grab something to eat and clean up
- 10.30 – 12pm Another hour and a half of work
- 12 pm – 1 pm Lunch time
- 1 pm – 2.30 pm work
- 2.30 pm – 4 pm School run, run errands, catch up with the kids
- 4 pm – 5.30 pm Dinner (prep, cook, eat, tidy the kitchen)
- 5.30 pm – 7 pm If there are extracurricular clubs it’s usually around now, if not I fit an extra bit of work in
- 7 pm – 8.30 pm Tidy the house, make sure all the clothes are ready for tomorrow etc, bath time wind down time with the kids.
- 8.30 pm – 9 pm One last check of work emails and messages and respond to any admin
- 9 pm Laptop off (unless it’s an emergency) wind down time and prepare for tomorrow!
Top Tip: Make sure to schedule in time for yourself. It’s not about being busy busy all the time, spending time relaxing as a family or alone is just as necessary.
Leverage Naptime and School Hours
Different ages of children determine just what you can and can’t fit in. Look at it and be honest about it. If you’ve got school-aged children fit in your hours around that as best you can. For toddlers and younger ones, it’s about figuring out a routine that can sometimes be a bit more unpredictable with nap times etc.
School holidays get trickier, if you have someone to help take it, if not and you’re more like I am, just do what you can. I tend to spend more time in the evening working when it’s the school holidays. Once I listened to myself and realised I am not super woman I became more forgiving of not being able to do it all.
If you’re short on time between a nap or the kids being occupied, see what small jobs you can do. Spend 10 minutes responding to emails, for me I like to quickly get a post or 2 scheduled for social media while I’ve got a spare 5 minutes. Us mums working from home need to squeeze all the productivity in that we can, even if it is just 5 minutes.
Create a Dedicated Workspace
Dedicate somewhere to your work. Not everyone is in a position where they have a spare room for an office and that’s fine. For me, I work at a desk in my living room, this works for me. Some friends I have work at their kitchen table that works for them. Wherever you can dedicate keep it there. I also have a cupboard where all my work things go. This helps me to know where things are instead of them being all over the place so I can grab them quickly. It also means I can pack away my “office” and switch off sometimes.
Benefits of Having a dedicated space for Mums working from home
Just having the mental separation really helps me. I do feel tempted to sit on the sofa some days but I am not half as productive as if I sit at my desk properly. I know once I’m in my workplace I am productive, and if I know how long for I will set a timer and see how much I can get done in that time. For mums working from home, it can be so helpful to have your own space.
Top Tip: Get a basket or a cupboard to put your work things so it’s easy to grab what you need instead of it being scattered all over
Learn to Delegate
This is the one I find the hardest, asking for help. I was brought up by my Mum after my Dad passed away when I was young. I always knew what a strong independent woman was, and always wanted to be one. In reality, my Mum did ask for help or at least accepted help from my Grandma because she is only human and couldn’t split herself into 3, so I don’t know why I try to do that?!
Ask for help, even small things like if the kids are a little older, giving them their own jobs like emptying the bins, loading and unloading the dishwasher, putting the washing on etc. There’s nothing wrong with this and it’s not child labour. The same goes if you have a partner, sometimes it’s not obvious to them what needs to be done, just ask.
There’s no shame in outsourcing things either. I am fiercely independent to a detriment and will try to juggle all of the plates and get annoyed when I drop one. Mums working from home should have no shame in asking for help. Do you need a window cleaner? Someone to cut the lawn? A cleaner? A childminder? Whatever it is, if it’s within your means, there’s no shame in asking for help and outsourcing these jobs.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Technology for productivity for Mums working from home
It’s 2025, and there’s a huge host of apps and tools that can help with productivity. Embrace them to make your life easier and more productive. Things like Chat-GPT really help with brainstorming. Try a design tool like Canva to help with your social media and marketing needs. Embrace spreadsheets – I love spreadsheets! I don’t even think I use them to their full potential but they are enough to keep me on track.
Technology for your Homelife
Mums working from home should embrace technology at home too. Keep track of your to-do lists with Trello. Ask Chat-GPT for some help with writing a schedule or a meal plan for the week.
Order your food shop online for delivery or collection, and save time by avoiding unnecessary trips around the store picking up items you don’t need Time saving and money saving!
Embrace Flexibility
Not every day will go to plan, the key is learning to embrace flexibility. Life for mums working from home is manic as it is and it’s easy to fall off the rails when something doesn’t go to plan. So if your child is ill, you may have an unexpected day with them at home where you need to care for them. Reassess your priorities; caring for your sick child takes precedence over hoovering the floor. Shuffle things around that don’t need to be done. Accept it is what it is, deal with today first and tomorrow will be a brand new day.
Practice Self-Care
Although I never seem to remember this, mums working from home need to practice self-care too. The saying goes that you can’t pour from an empty cup and that is 100% right. Mum needs to look after herself the same way that she would care for the children. Scheduling a break for yourself makes it a priority to make sure you can be the best version of yourself. I am so guilty of putting myself last, but this needs to stop. We are important.
Simple self-care ideas for Mums working from home
- Stretch Breaks: Take 5 minutes to stretch your back, shoulders, and neck to release tension.
- Quick Walk: Step outside for a 10-minute walk to clear your head and get some fresh air.
- Hydration Boost: Drink a glass of water with lemon or herbal tea while sitting in a calm spot.
- Mini Workout: Do a quick 7-minute workout or a few yoga poses.
- Mindful Breathing: Practice deep breathing for 2-3 minutes to reduce stress.
- Journaling: Write down 3 things you’re grateful for or a quick reflection on your day.
- Read or Listen: Enjoy a chapter of a book, a motivational podcast, or soothing music.
- Digital Detox: Take a 10-minute break from screens and enjoy quiet time.
- Positive Affirmations: Say or write affirmations like, “I am capable and deserving of rest.”
- Connect with a Friend: Send a quick text or voice note to someone who makes you smile.
- Creative Outlet: Spend 10 minutes doodling, colouring, or crafting.
- Skincare Moment: Apply a refreshing face mask or massage in your favourite moisturizer.
- Aromatherapy: Light a candle or use essential oils to create a calming atmosphere.
- Treat Yourself: Savor a piece of chocolate or a favourite snack mindfully.
- Dance Break: Put on a favourite song and dance like no one’s watching for 3 minutes.
- Mini Escape: Watch a short, funny video or scroll through a Pinterest board that inspires you.
Conclusion
Working from home as a mum is hard work as much as it is great for flexibility. I love that I get to be home to prioritise things like being the one to do the school run and being the one who’s there for dinner each evening and a catch-up after school.
But I need to be organised to make sure that I can get what I need to do done and be able to spend time with my children. Mine aren’t little kids anymore but they still need their mum, they still have days when they can’t go to school and I no longer have to put in a sick day to look after them. I get to be at home and work around my priorities.
It didn’t start in this same way, it took a while for me to adapt and to be able to get things done. I did feel overwhelmed about everything and I think that’s normal. Once I came across a site called The Organised Mum, it really helped me to realise that I didn’t need to spend all day every day cleaning. Check it out, it’s a great way to start.
Go Easy on Yourself
Start habit stacking, don’t expect to do it all at once. Do one thing then add another thing. For instance, I get up at 6.30 and go downstairs to put the kettle on. While I’m waiting for the kettle to boil I empty the dishwasher and make it a challenge to myself to put it all away before the kettle has boiled.
I make sure I put the washing in the washer as I am about to leave on the school run in the morning, as the kettle boils when I have my morning break I take it out of the washer and put it to dry. Little things that make a difference and make life a bit easier.
What do you do to make your life easier as mums working from home? Let’s make life easier for all mums, we do take on the lion’s share and that just makes it even harder. Thanks for reading my post, I’d love to hear more from you here at misadventuresofabadmum.com
Becky x