I know what you're thinking: Work from home? That sounds like a dream! But it can also be incredibly hard. In fact, it's easy to get stuck in a rut and lose sight of your goals when you're working from home with kids. Here are five habits for staying on track as a work-from-home parent:
Keep a routine
One of the most important habits for work from home moms is to keep a routine. If you don't have one, it will be much harder for you to get things done because your day will be filled with distractions and unplanned activities that take up time and energy.
Here are some reasons why having a routine is so helpful:
Routines help you stay on track with your work goals each day. When someone asks if they can chat with you while eating breakfast or after dinner, it's easy to say yes--but then when all is said and done, those conversations may have taken up more time than they were worth! A routine helps keep these kinds of interruptions at bay by making sure that certain tasks are performed at specific times during the day (and not just whenever). This makes prioritizing easier because most tasks will fit into one category or another (rather than being spread out over many categories).
Set boundaries between work and parenting
Work-life balance is essential for working from home moms, so make sure that you are setting aside enough time for yourself and your family. Don't let your work take over your life, but also don't let your kids take over either! If they need something from you, let them know that it will have to wait until after dinner or after their homework is done--and then stick with that plan so that both sides of the equation feel respected (and happy).
Don't let others take up space in your headspace: Whether it's a partner who expects constant attention or friends who want advice on everything under the sun (because they know how good an advisor/friend/mommy mentor/confidant/etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.,etc.), set firm boundaries by making clear when they can expect responses from you (and stick with them).
Work from a space you love
When you work from home, your space is your office. It's where all of your work happens, so it's important to have a space that makes you feel creative and productive. If your home isn't set up for this, find ways to make it better! Maybe that means rearranging furniture or adding some new decor pieces; maybe it means finding somewhere else in the house where you can focus (a quiet room or even just an area outside).
Whatever changes need to be made should be tailored specifically for YOU--you're the only one who knows what works best for YOUR needs!
Get outside every day
Take a walk. Get some fresh air, breathe in the world around you, and connect with nature.
Go for a jog or run in your neighborhood park (or if you live somewhere with snow on the ground, hit up an indoor track).
Go for a bike ride with friends or family members--or even just by yourself! It's good exercise and it can be fun too!
Experiment with different times of day for working
Try working at different times of day. Some people are morning people, others prefer to work in the afternoon or evening. Experiment with different times and days of the week, as well as on different seasons of the year. You might find that you perform better at some times than others!
Working from home can be hard but it's worth it! You get to spend more time with your kids. Working from home allows you to do just that, work at home and spend more time with your family.
We hope these tips will help you to find a work-life balance that works for you. Remember, it's not about being perfect or doing everything right--it's about finding what works for your family and sticking with it!
If you're looking for a legit work from home job, check out the latest legit remote jobs from Legit Mom Jobs here.
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