Let’s be real—working from home as a mom is kind of like trying to hold a Zoom meeting in the middle of a bouncy castle. While also being the bouncer. And the snack vendor. And maybe the janitor, too.
If you’re managing deadlines and diaper changes, you’re not alone. Here are 5 tips to help you work from home without (completely) losing your mind. Spoiler: there will be snacks. Lots of them.
1. Lower the Bar… Just a Bit
Pinterest-perfect schedules are nice in theory. In reality? If the kids are alive, semi-clean, and you responded to at least one email today—you’re crushing it. Adjust your expectations. You are still productive, even if your “office” is also the Lego zone.
2. Create a “Mom’s Working” Signal
Whether it’s a sign on the door, a special hat, or just “The Look”—find a way to signal “Do not disturb unless something is on fire.” It won’t work every time, but eventually, they’ll get the message (maybe).
3. Pre-Portion Snacks or Perish
Snack requests can derail a meeting faster than a dropped Wi-Fi signal. Avoid being a full-time snack concierge by setting out pre-portioned, pre-approved snacks. Then just point when asked. No words needed.
4. Multitask with Caution
Yes, moms are amazing multitaskers. But just because you can review reports while helping with second-grade math doesn’t mean you should. Group easy tasks together and give harder ones your full attention (or as much as you can muster).
5. Claim Your Sacred 10 Minutes
Lock yourself in the bathroom. Sit in the parked car. Tell the household you’re meditating (even if you’re really just scrolling memes). These few minutes are your reboot time. Protect them with your life.
So here’s to the moms running businesses, teams, and toy cleanups—all from the same room. May your coffee be strong, your Wi-Fi be stable, and your mute button always work when needed!
