Daily Routine for Work-From-Home Moms: Printable Planner
Ideas for a daily routine for work from home moms.
The thought of working from home with kids can be daunting. It’s hard enough to get work done when the house is quiet and everyone is out of it.
But when you’ve got little ones running around, it can feel impossible.
If you’re a work-from-home mom, you’re not alone. There are millions of women in the same boat. But just because you’re not alone doesn’t mean it’s easy.
It can be downright challenging to try to balance work and motherhood.
But it is possible. Millions of women do it every day. You can do this! We’ve put together this ultimate guide to creating a daily schedule to help you get started.
Daily Routine For Work From Home Moms
The shift to working from home can be a big adjustment for moms. Finding time to get work done with little ones at home can be challenging. Here are a few ways to make this transition easier.
Get Up Early
Getting up early is vital to get a head start on your work day.
Many working moms find that getting up before their kids is the best way to get some peace and quiet and to get some work done.
If you can’t swing getting up super early, even just 30 minutes before your kids wake up can make a big difference.
Use Naptime Wisely
Naptime is a great time to get some work done or to take care of personal tasks like laundry or grocery shopping.
If you can’t get any work done during naptime, use it as a chance to take a break and relax for a bit. You deserve it!
Block Schedule Your Work
Start by block-scheduling your work time. Dedicate certain time blocks of the day to work. During your work blocks, turn off distractions like the TV and stay off social media.
Focus on getting your work done. This will help you to be more productive and less stressed.
Put the Kids to Bed Early
If you want to have some time to yourself in the evening, putting your kids to bed early is a must.
Once they’re in bed, you can use that time to finish any work tasks or catch up on household chores. You may even have some time left over for a few leisurely activities!
Get Organized
Having a set schedule and routine will help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do.
Additionally, keeping your workspace clean and organized will help you be more productive when you are working.
Setting Boundaries and Asking For Help
Set Boundaries With Family and Friends
It’s important to set boundaries with your family and friends when you’re working from home.
Let them know what times are off-limits for interruptions, and stick to those boundaries as much as possible. It is not easy initially, but it will be worth it in the long run!
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone!
If you need help with childcare or housework, don’t be afraid to ask for it from your partner or other family members/friends.
Everyone needs a little help sometimes, so don’t try to go it alone.
Make Use of Technology
There are tons of great technological tools that can help make working from home more manageable and efficient.
From online task managers to video conferencing software, you’re sure to find something that can help make your job easier.
Do some research and find what works best for you and your needs!
Set Priorities For the Day
As a work-from-home mom, it can be challenging to prioritize your time. You may feel pulled in multiple directions, trying to balance work with childcare and household chores.
However, you can take some simple steps to help set priorities for your day.
- First, list everything you need to do in a day. This can include work tasks, errands, and spending time with your family.
- Once you have a list, you can begin prioritizing the items. Start with the most critical tasks, such as deadlines at work or appointments.
- Then, move on to tasks that are less time-sensitive but still need to be done, such as laundry or grocery shopping.
- Finally, make sure to schedule some time for yourself each day. This can be used for relaxation, exercise, or simply catching up on your favorite TV show.
Determine Ideal Work Hours
Here are some ideas to help determine your ideal work hours:
- Do you prefer to work while the kids are at school?
- You can get up early to finish work before the day starts.
- You may need to work during naps or after bedtime if you have young children.
- You may need to work around their school and extracurricular schedules if you have older children.
- You may also need to juggle your work hours with your partner’s schedule if they also work from home.
- Ultimately, the best way to determine your ideal work hours is to try different things and see what works best for you and your family.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your partner or a babysitter to make it all work.
- Whatever your preference, there is no wrong answer.
Get Up Early
I mentioned this earlier, but it is so important! Being a morning person has plenty of benefits, primarily when you work from home.
- You will have time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and coffee before getting to business.
- You can also get a good start on your workday by getting a few hours of work done before the kids wake up.
- If you’re a morning person, you likely have more energy and focus in the morning than later in the day. Try to fit in some exercise too!
- And, if you have young children, getting up early gives you a chance to get in some quality mom-time before they wake up and start demanding your attention.
Of course, becoming a morning person can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to it. But with a little effort, it can be worth it.
So set your alarm for a bit earlier than usual tomorrow morning, and see how you feel after starting your morning routine with a little extra time to yourself.
Keep a Running “To Do” List for Work and Home
One way to help keep your life organized and stress-free is to keep a running to-do list.
- This can be a physical list that you keep on your desk or a digital list that you keep on your computer or phone.
- Having a list of things that need to be done will help you stay on track and remember everything important.
- Make sure to include both work-related tasks and home-related task lists. That way, you can easily see what needs to be done and when.
- I like to keep the lists in one book but on opposite pages so you can see them both at a glance. Keep your list where you can easily refer to it throughout the day.
- Checking items off your list as you complete them will give you a sense of accomplishment and help you stay motivated.
How to Get Your Kids to Establish a Routine
Having your kids follow a daily routine can help you as a work-at-home mom. Plus, it ultimately helps them become self-disciplined and independent.
How you establish a routine will depend on whether you have babies, 2 or 3 years old, or older kids. Take these suggestions and adjust them to the age of your kids.
- Teach your kids to make their beds and get dressed when they get up.
- Have them make their own breakfast or learn by helping you make it.
- If they go to school, let them learn to pack their lunches and gather their school supplies. (Pro tip: do this prepping at night.)
- After school, teach your kids to put their school supplies in the proper area. Have them empty their lunch boxes and put everything away.
- Allow some play time or time to wind down that they enjoy.
- Schedule time for homework and make sure it gets completed. Depending on your child, you can have them complete homework before playtime. We like to get play time in after being in school all day!
- Encourage some physical activity every day.
For younger kids that are home all day:
- Help kids make beds and get dressed in the morning.
- Have them help you make breakfast.
- Consider setting up a toy rotation system. This will keep your kids interested and entertained when they have seen toys in a while. Be strict in putting away a box before bringing out another.
- Take advantage of nap time by getting as much work done as possible.
- For kids that are past taking naps, implement a quiet time. They can watch their favorite tv show, read books, or play a quiet game alone. This is the perfect time to make important phone calls when you need it to be quiet.
- If you have babies, set up a play area in the living room or near your workplace. Be sure to have plenty of activity-type toys to entertain them while you work.
How to Fit in Household Chores
Make a Schedule
One of the best ways to fit in household chores as a work-from-home mom is to make a schedule.
Setting specific times for each task ensures that everything gets done without interfering with your work. Check out this article for the best way I’ve found to get my laundry done.
Get the Kids Involved
Another way to fit in household chores is to get the kids involved.
Many tasks can quickly be completed with the help of young children, and it can be a great way to teach them responsibility.
For example, your kids could help with laundry by sorting the clothes or folding towels.
Take Advantage of Technology
There are many ways that technology can help you to fit in household chores as a work-from-home mom.
For example, apps can now help you track when your bills are due or when the laundry needs to be done.
Plenty of cleaning apps can give you step-by-step instructions on how to clean your home quickly and efficiently.
Hiring Help and Outsourcing
Hire Help
If you don’t have enough time to fit in your household chores, consider hiring help.
Many companies now offer affordable cleaning and laundry services that can be scheduled around your work schedule.
This can be a great way to take some of the stress off your plate and free up some time for other things.
Outsource Some Chores
In addition to hiring help, consider outsourcing some of your household chores.
For example, if cooking dinner takes up too much of your time, you could start ordering meals from a meal delivery service.
Or, if you’re spending too much time on housework, you could hire a maid service to come in and clean once or twice a week.
Working from home is no joke; sometimes, you NEED to take shortcuts!
Set Priorities
When trying to fit in household chores as a work-from-home mom, it’s essential to set priorities.
Not every chore needs to be done every day, so it’s necessary to focus on the most important tasks first.
For example, if you need to get dinner on the table for your family, doing laundry can wait until tomorrow.
Take Breaks When Needed
It’s also important to try and do only a little at once when trying to fit in household chores. If you find yourself overwhelmed, take a break and return to it later.
It’s okay if everything doesn’t get done in one day – focus on taking things one step at a time.
Sample Daily Routine for Work at Home Moms
It is challenging to come up with a typical day for a work-from-home mom. There are many variables, such as the age of your kids and whether they are in school.
Use a trial-and-error approach to see what works best for you.
Time Blocks
My favorite way to order my day is by using time blocks. They are easy to mold and change according to your family and work needs.
- Time blocks are when you dedicate a certain amount of time to one task.
- For example, you might block off two hours in the morning to work and then take a break to run errands or do a load of laundry.
- Dedicating specific times to specific tasks can help ensure that everything gets done on time.
- Additionally, time blocks can help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by everything you have to do.
- By breaking down your day into manageable chunks, you can make the seemingly impossible task of being a work-at-home mom much more doable.
Here is a basic work-from-home schedule that you will need to tweak:
- 6:00 am – Wake up, shower, get dressed
- 7:00 am – Breakfast for everyone; pack lunchboxes/diaper bags if necessary
- 8:00 am – Drop off older kids at school, head to daycare with baby
- 9:00 am – Start working
- Noon – Lunchtime!
- 1:00 pm – Back to work
- 3:00 pm – Wrap up work for the day, pick up older kids from school
- 4:00 pm – Homework, dinner, bath time, and bedtime routine for kids
- 8:00 pm – Wind down for the evening (watch a movie, read a book, etc.)
- 10:00 pm – Bedtime!
Oh, if it were only this easy!😂 Wait until you see my schedule below!
I’ve included a free planner to map out your day. Download your free work-from-home planner here.
Here is a loose schedule of what a typical day is like for me. Remember that I am a single mom, so my day may look different than yours.
I am so blessed to have the kind of job that can fit into the nooks and crannies of my life. But it is a crazy, crazy, wonderful life.🖤
- 6:00 am – Wake up, shower, get dressed
- 6:30 am- Kids wake up
- 7:00 am – Breakfast for everyone; pack lunchboxes/diaper bags if necessary
- 7:30 am – Drop kids off at school
- 8:15 am – Arrive home and start working
- Noon – Workout
- 12:30 pm – Back to work (I eat on the fly😉)
- 2:30 pm – Wrap up work for the afternoon, pick up kids from school
- 3:00 pm – Work while kids play, do homework, etc.
- 5:30 pm -Kids play outside
- 6:30 pm- Dinner
- 8:00 pm – Bathtime for kiddos
- 8:30 pm – Finish up the workday
- 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm bedtime!
More Work-at-Home Tips
Consider Childcare if Possible
If you struggle to juggle work and childcare, there is nothing wrong with asking for help.
Family and friends can often be willing to pitch in, and many professional childcare services can provide support.
The most important thing is to create a system that works for you and your family.
With creative thinking and outside assistance, it is possible to manage work and childcare responsibilities from home successfully.
Evening Routine
One of the best things you can do for yourself when working from home is to set up for success the night before.
- Ensure your work materials are ready in one place, so you’re not scrambling in the morning.
- Lay out your clothes and set out any snacks or meals you need for the next day.
- In addition to preparing for the next day, it’s also essential to have a bedtime routine when working from home.
- This could include taking a shower, reading a book, or writing in a journal.
- Taking time for yourself at the end of the day will help you feel refreshed and ready to take on tomorrow.
Make a List of Tasks You Can Do in Five Minutes or Less
One of the smartest things you can do is to keep a list of tasks that can be completed in five minutes or less.
This way, you can quickly check something off your list when you have a few spare moments.
Some examples of five-minute tasks include:
- making a quick phone call
- responding to a brief email
- jotting down some ideas for a presentation
By keeping a list of these smaller tasks, you can make significant progress on your work without sacrificing valuable time with your family.
Mindset For Work At Home Moms
Don’t Forget Family Time
Spending quality time with your kids is so important and is something that should be a priority.
It can be tough to find the time to connect with our kids when juggling work and family responsibilities, but it’s essential.
Family time is a great way to bond with our kids, teach them important life skills, and have quality time together. Even a few minutes each day can make a big difference.Â
Be Easy On Yourself
Being a work-from-home mom can be challenging. You are constantly juggling demands from your job and your children, and it can be easy to feel like you are never doing enough.
However, it is important to remember that you are only human. You cannot be everything to everyone all the time.
Cut yourself some slack and give yourself a break when you need it. Prioritize your tasks and let some things go when necessary.
Seek out support from other work-from-home moms when you are feeling overwhelmed. Remember, you are not alone in this journey.
Stay Flexible
As a work-from-home mom, it is essential to stay flexible. There will be days when your kids are sick or have a school event, and you must adjust your work schedule.
There will be days when you are productive and can get a lot of work done, and there will be days when you can barely get anything done.
The important thing is to roll with the punches and not get too stressed out. It helps to have a plan when your children are sick or on school breaks.
If you can maintain a sense of flexibility, you can handle whatever comes your way.
If you’re a morning person, get an early start and get some work done before the kids are up and about. However, adjust your schedule accordingly if you’re more productive in the afternoon or evening. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best thing to do is experiment until you find a wake-up time that works for you.
Start your own blog. You can choose a topic that interests you and share your insights and experiences with others. Not only will you make some money through advertising and sponsorships, but you’ll also get to connect with other moms working from home.
Become a virtual assistant. This involves providing administrative or other support services to businesses and professionals remotely. This can be a great way to use your skills and experience to earn money while working from home.
Finally, consider starting your own home-based business. This could involve selling products online to providing childcare or pet-sitting services.
For some people, taking a quick nap can improve their productivity. If you’re sleepy or sluggish, a short rest can help you feel refreshed and ready to work again. Just set the alarm so you only sleep for a short time.
On the other hand, napping during work hours can signal that you’re not getting enough sleep at night. If you need a nap regularly, it might be time to re-evaluate your sleep habits. Getting quality rest is essential for maintaining your health and well-being, so ensure you get enough shut-eye each night.
Whether or not it’s okay to nap while working from home ultimately depends on your situation. If you feel like you need one, go ahead and take one – be sure not to let it interfere with your job performance.
The easiest job to work from home is that of a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants provide administrative support to clients, who can be based anywhere in the world. As a result, virtual assistants can typically set their hours and work as much or as little as they want. Another easy job to work from home is that of a freelancer writer. Many online platforms connect writers with clients, and writers can typically set their rates and deadlines. There is also great flexibility regarding when and where you work.
Create a dedicated workspace. Set regular work hours and stick to them. Take breaks! Working from home can be isolating, so schedule some time for yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling to keep up with everything, reach out to your friends and family for support.
The hardest part about working from home is finding a balance between work and life. It can be challenging to focus on work when there are so many distractions at home, and it can be hard to relax and enjoy your time off when there are always unfinished tasks lurking in the back of your mind. It’s important to set boundaries between your work and personal life, or you’ll quickly burn out. That means setting aside dedicated work time, carving out some time for yourself every day, and making sure to spend quality time with your loved ones. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential for maintaining your sanity.
Final Thoughts
Getting into a routine when working from home can be tricky, especially if you have small children. But it’s important to find structure and stability in your day, even if it means waking up a little earlier or staying up a little later. These daily routine ideas for work-from-home moms will help you stay on track and make the most of your time. What tips do you have for creating a productive work-from-home routine?
Check out my About Me Page to learn more about my crew and me!
