Balancing Life as a Work at Home Mom

Are you a work at home mom? Sometimes balancing it all is difficult! Here are my tips to make it easier! 

 

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            When I started blogging four years ago, it never crossed my mind that it could become a “real” job, and that I would eventually consider myself a work at home mom…. but today, I do!

 

            It’s a funny thing, life as a work at home mom, you have so many aspects of your life packed into your home, everything is happening there, and although it’s a really nice thing to be able to do, if you’re not careful it can get jumbled and overwhelming trying to balance it all.

 

          I know it’s hard to be a working mom no matter what your circumstances are, but I’ve always felt if I left for the day and went to an office it would be way easier to have “work time” and “home time.” Instead, they’re all kind of the same thing.

 

          Then there’s the fact that I homeschool, too… yeah, we pack a lot into our home; it’s definitely a multitasker! I love, love, love homeschooling my boys, but it’s something else that I have to make sure I am focused on when we’re doing it, not thinking about that email I need to return or that blog post I need to take pictures for.

 

         So here I am every day, working from home, schooling my kiddos, and all that other mom stuff…. You know, dinner, cleaning, laundry, walking the dogs, taking care of my chickens, running to swim practice, friends’ houses, and field trips – tons of life craziness!!

 

         About a year ago, I figured out that this blogging gig of mine was going to start taking some real focus and time. I also launched a second blog recently, wrote a Pinterest strategy book, and became a Pinterest strategy coach! I realized that I was going to have to figure out how to balance everything and find time dedicated to working, home, and schooling to make it all work.

 

        My system isn’t perfect yet. Just like everything in life it’s always evolving, but I’ve found ways to be intentional with my time, focus on the task at hand, and balance this crazy life as a work at home mom.

 

Keeping it real… my desk on a typical day!

 

Here’s how to rock it as a work at home mom!

Plan ahead for your week-  Planning is key to maintaining your sanity as a work at home mom. Every Sunday, I take a look at our upcoming week. I look at our field trips, the boys’ activities, what schooling we need to get done, and what work I need to get done. I plan our meals out for the week, making sure that on busy days I’ve planned something with minimal prep that’s easy to make.  Our schedule changes from week to week. During swim season I’ll be carving out time for practices and meets, while during the summer, we don’t have any schooling but there are still outings and field trips with our homeschool group. I find going week by week and making sure I know what’s going on gives me a good grip on my days!

 

Set aside time just for work-  This is one that took me a while to learn. I used to try to sneak in my blog work a little here and a little there, but I quickly realized that I wasn’t getting it all done that way. I would find myself distracted during other things knowing there was work I needed to do or having whole days where I worked or didn’t work all day because I didn’t manage my time. For me, work time happens best in the morning. My husband works afternoons, so he’s here to get breakfast and calm the chaos so I can focus. So most days, I spend the first few hours of my day here on my computer with a cup of coffee in hand. However, sometimes we have activities that come up early in the day, and that’s where planning my week comes in handy. If my morning is taken up, I make sure to schedule myself a few afternoon or evening hours to sit down and work. I make sure to write them down and then stop what I’m doing and “go to work.” My boys are big enough to be self sufficient during my work time, and they know that when I’m sitting at my desk I’m focused on working. Having time to focus makes being a work at home mom much easier! 

 

Keep your energy levels up-  It takes a lot of energy to keep up with all the demands on a work at home, homeschooling momma… a lot!!  It is important to me to give my all to every aspect of my life, and I know I can’t do that without making sure my energy levels are up. Of course I try to get enough sleep; I know that without a good 8 hours of shut eye I’m not at my best, so I make getting a good night’s sleep a priority.  I also set aside time to exercise; I spend about 30-45 minutes a day in my basement on my exercise machine and doing yoga to boost my energy levels and keep me feeling great. I can tell when I’ve skipped a few days; I start to drag!  Another tool in my energy arsenal is Emergen-C® Energy+. These tasty little packets are the perfect way to support your energy levels.* I love to tuck a few in my purse for when we’re out and about and keep them at home to drink anytime! Another aspect I love is it is energy customizable to support your needs. Adults can take one or two packets at a time. You can pick it up at your local Walgreens in the supplement aisle near the other Emergen-C® products.

Emergen-C® Energy+ is available in bold-flavored Blueberry-Açai, powder-packed Lemon-Lime, and fruit-y Mango-Peach. It’s flavored with natural, real fruit flavors and is also gluten free.

 

Focus during  family time-  When you work from home, it’s easy to find yourself drawn to your computer multiple times throughout the day. It seems like there is always something you could be doing, and it can be hard not to let it take over your life. It’s important to know when to be off work and focused on your family. When we head to the lake for the weekend, I leave my computer at home so that I can focus on having fun. When my set aside work hours are over, I close my computer and go into mom mode! It helps to balance everything when you give each aspect of your life your focus instead of trying to blend it all together and do everything at once. By being intentional with the time you have for your family, it shows them that they are as important as your work, and it helps you feel better while you’re working knowing that you’ve taken care of your people.

Ask for help from your family-  Speaking of your family… don’t be afraid to enlist their help! Our families get used to us doing it all, and sometimes they don’t realize we need their assistance. If you are just transitioning to working at home or have work that is becoming more demanding, you may need to delegate to your family members to get the help you need. Can one of your kids empty the dishwasher every day? Could your husband run your kids to their activities? Figure out tasks that you can get help with, and then ask! Don’t wait for them to realize you need help and don’t wait until you are frustrated or overwhelmed; make it part of  your plan to let them help.

 

Take care of yourself-  As a mom, it’s easy to put everyone else’s needs before your own. It’s easy to get wrapped up in shuttling the kids, making sure everyone is fed, getting your work done, making dentist and doctor’s appointments… the list goes on and on. Make sure to put time for yourself on that list. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or expensive. Carve out time for a bubble bath, take a walk, or sit down with a good book and a cup of coffee. Taking time to recharge your batteries will help you with your work, be a better mom and wife, and feel good as you move through your day.

There are so many aspects of being a mom, and working at home just adds another layer to everything else we do. Learning to balance everything, getting all that you need to done, and staying happy at the same time can be simple if you focus your energy and ask for help when you need it!

 

Having a schedule, a family that is willing to help, and a little go to like  Emergen-C® Energy+, can help you be successful in all the aspects of your life, and rock it as a work at home mom! 

Are you a work at home mom? How do you balance your work & home life? Have you tried Emergen-C® Energy+ to support you through your busy day?

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.