Balancing Work-from-Home Life with Kids: My Top Tips

 

Working from home for the last two years as a full-time mom made me understand the daily challenge of trying to balance professional responsibilities with parenting and taking care of the household. Jumping into a Zoom session with a toddler on your lap or trying to focus on a deadline of your blog post when your kid needs a snack every 15 minutes can easily overwhelm you! The constant juggling can be overwhelming, but after years of trial and error, I’ve developed some useful strategies that help keep my sanity while performing well here. Based on my own experience, these are my top tips for balancing work-life from home and kids.

Set Realistic Work Expectations for Yourself

Working from home and raising children simultaneously can seem like a never-ending unfinished business. I first learnt that you can’t do everything at once. The very first step should be setting up reasonable expectations of what can be accomplished and managing your routine. Understand and acknowledge that some days will be more productive than others, and it’s okay.

I know you are trying hard to go through those tasks as fast as possible, but that is the best way to burn yourself out. Prioritise the most important tasks and leave the less important tasks for later. Take it daily, write down a list of your tasks for the week, and go through them by priority. Don’t feel bad if you still have some remaining at the end of the week. Learn to embrace flexibility and give yourself grace when things are unplanned. But also reward yourself for all the hard work!

Create a Family-Friendly Work Schedule

A steady routine is key to maintaining balance, whether your kids are toddlers or school-aged. Design a work schedule that considers your kids’ nap times, meal times, and other activities. If possible, structure your workday around times when your children are most likely to be occupied or asleep. For example, I do most of my focused work in the early mornings or during naptimes, then schedule less intense tasks (like answering emails) during periods when my kids are awake but occupied with independent play. If you synchronise your work tasks with your children’s natural rhythms, you will naturally achieve a more harmonious day, and it will become less stressful when things don’t go as planned.

Designate a Work Space

The next important step is creating a comfortable environment for your work time. It would be best if you strived to create a dedicated work area that can help you separate your professional and personal lives. Even if it will be a small corner in your room, work with the space and possibilities that are available. When I step into my designated work space, it signals to my brain that it’s time to focus on work. It also helps my kids understand when I’m in “work mode.” This doesn’t have to be a fancy office—just a spot where you can sit down with your laptop and focus. Make sure the space is organised and free from distractions, and try to keep it out of high-traffic areas where your children are constantly passing through.

Use Time Blocking

This technique is very effective and, frankly, my favourite trick that involves dividing your day into chunks of time, with each block dedicated to a specific task. For example, I’ll block out time in the morning for content creation and writing, then dedicate an afternoon block to administrative tasks. The key is to stick to the time blocks as closely as possible. When you have children at home, unexpected things happen (hello, surprise diaper changes or school pickups!). So while time blocking won’t always go perfectly, it can help you maximise productivity when things are running smoothly. Time blocking encourages focus and helps ensure that you tackle both work and family duties without feeling frazzled.

Involve Your Kids in Simple Tasks

Involving your children in daily tasks can take a little bit of load off your shoulders. It depends on the age of your children, they may be able to help with simple tasks. I involve my kids in small activities like organising office supplies or colouring while I work nearby. It gives them a sense of importance, and I can still keep an eye on them. If your kids are older, you can give them short tasks related to your work or have them assist with house chores. Making them feel involved can reduce the likelihood of interruptions while also teaching them about responsibility. Involving your kids in manageable tasks can help keep them occupied and give you some space to work.

Leverage Technology Wisely

Whether it’s the use of educational apps, audiobooks, and kids’ TV shows, technology can be a lifesaver when trying to balance work and kids. It can keep your little ones engaged while you focus on work, but it should be used wisely. Don’t hesitate to use these resources as temporary distractions if you need to join an important meeting. But balancing screen time with activities and play time is crucial. You don’t want your kids attached to a screen all day. The goal is to use it for short periods when needed the most so you can concentrate on your workload. Use technology strategically to give yourself the time you need to work uninterrupted.

Embrace the Power of “No”

Even as a work-from-home parent, you’ll often be asked to do extra things. There will always be some meetings you need to host or attend, appointments to book, child school events to attend or family gatherings to organise. But remember, you don’t have to do everything. Protect your work and family time by setting boundaries. It’s okay to decline requests that will stretch you too thin. Your time and energy should also be a priority, and saying no to one thing means saying yes to something more important. Boundaries are essential to maintaining your work-life balance.

Take Breaks from Work and Practice Self-Care

If you are working from home, it can be easy to get yourself lost in the non-stop multitasking mentality. But just because you can load the washing machine or do the dishes on your lunch break, it does not mean you should. I’ve learnt that taking breaks is super important for my well-being, which then boosts my productivity. Try to prioritise self-care by reading a few pages of a book, taking a 10-minute walk, or sipping your favourite tea while the kids are occupied; all these little acts can help you to level up everyday life with the workload. These small moments of reprieve make a big difference in my day. Don’t neglect breaks and self-care—they help you stay energised and focused.

Be Prepared for Interruptions

Even with a well-designed schedule, interruptions while working from home with your kids are inevitable. I learnt to accept that flexibility is key. If my child needs attention or an issue arises unexpectedly, I adjust my schedule accordingly. Instead of getting frustrated when things don’t go as planned, I embrace the unpredictability of my day and tackle tasks at unexpected leisure time. I accept interruptions as part of work life from home, and I adjust accordingly without feeling guilty.

Ask for Help When You Need It

There’s no shame in asking for help juggling work and parenthood. Whether it’s asking your partner to take over for a few hours, scheduling play dates, or hiring a babysitter for part of the day, having extra help can be a game changer. I’ve found that having a reliable plan allows me to recuperate and focus more on my family and career. Don’t hesitate to seek help—it’s essential to maintaining balance. And if there is no one available (we don’t all have the village present), try to bring something positive into your weekly life. I make sure to include a nail salon visit or a little shopping by myself once a month while my partner takes our toddler to the park.

Final Thoughts

Balancing work life from home with the kids is challenging but possible. With patience, flexibility, and the right approach, you can grow in both your professional and personal roles. Setting boundaries is essential; by creating a simple routine and involving your kids, you’ll find managing your work from home easier. Don’t criticise yourself too much, and don’t be so quick when throwing blame. Not every day will be perfect, but with these tips, you’ll be better prepared to handle the chaos while having fun with your kids. Leave a comment below if you would like to share your personal experience being a WFH parent.