Becoming a mother while also managing a successful online business can be challenging to navigate, but it doesn’t have to be! Being a stay at home mom is a way of life and a little bit of planning can keep you sane while still being productive. Here are some habits that you can start developing:
Get Organized
Keep track of all events in your calendar/ planner. This might seem like a no-brainer, but so many moms forget this little tip and it’s the only way to start being more organized. It is super easy to keep track of everything in a calendar. Set reminders and notifications if you tend to be a bit forgetful on your phone. Most of the time our phones are with us wherever we go.
Digital planners are a fantastic tool for keeping track of all work projects and deadlines in one place. You are able to have a to-do list that makes managing work way more manageable. Being a boss mom doesn’t mean you have to remember everything inside your head. Writing things down in a physical planner also helps. I’m more of a physical planner type of mom, but whatever works for you is what you should do!
Having reminders in a planner is a great way to stay organized, not only for you, but for your family. Adding your children’s events, meals for the week, and family activities to your calendar is a beneficial way to keep track of your productivity throughout the week. Posting it somewhere around the house where everyone can see is also awesome for the family as a whole, this way everyone can be on the same page.
Create a Routine
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to find time for work (if you have a business), run errands, make meals, juggle family time, and find time for yourself. This is why creating a routine is imperative. Whether that is before the kids wake up, after they go to bed, while they are at school, or during nap time, create a routine and stick to it! You can’t get anything done if you aren’t making time for it. Be sure to budget enough time for each activity that needs to be completed. You know the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” so don’t stress if you don’t get everything done within the allotted time. Be thankful that you got something done. Give yourself grace, not everything goes according to plan, and that is okay! Having a routine definitely makes your day more at ease.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead can take so much stress off your shoulders. Start making plans for everything. Plan time to work, time to cook, time to eat, and even time to spend time with your family. Stick to your guns and follow through with what you say you are going to do.
Create a Happy Place
Working from home can sometimes lack the quiet focus of being in a dedicated workplace. Combat this by creating a happy place to work in! This could be a home office decorated exactly how you want, or it could be as simple as utilizing the guest bedroom with the door closed and headphones on. Wherever you choose to work, add a few happy and inspiring items to keep yourself motivated and remind yourself that you can do this.
Maintain Balance in All Aspects
When working from home, it can be very easy to let work spill over into every aspect of your life. Resist this. Set specific times for work and home life, just like you would if you worked outside of your home. By always being in work mood, you can neglect your family and the people you care about most. When you set boundaries for yourself, you can relax fully after the day’s work is done. Set goals for not checking work emails after a certain time and only work during scheduled times. Besides work, take time for yourself throughout the day to do something else that you enjoy whether it’s reading, meditating, baking, etc. You take time to do things for your family and your work that sometimes you can lose yourself in all of it. Having a work/ life balance is the way to go!
Why I Chose This Path
Although it can be stressful trying to build and maintain a business from home while caring for a baby, I decided to take the leap into the unknown. Working from home is a delight, and I’m able to watch my child grow up as I’d like and spend more time with my family than before. Also, being a stay at home mom is not for everyone. Sometimes you may like the idea of it, and when reality hits you may find that you’d be better off working in a 9 – 5 brick and mortar job.
Creating these essential habits will, however, bring a huge benefit to you and your household. There are moms who stay at home and those who don’t but want to stay at home and needs a little push in the right direction to be more productive. These tips will for sure aide in moving you in the right direction. You got this!
