Tips for Working at Home with a Toddler

Working at home with a toddler doesn’t have to be impossible. Check out some tips to help make the transition easier for all.

Tips for Working at home with a toddler

Works at home moms are becoming more common. I know I’m at a place in my life where I never thought I would be working from home. Problem is for many of us having to figure out  how to handle the kids and work at the same time can be a challenge. Toddlers are probably the biggest challenge when it comes to balancing the work/home game. Gone are the days of the sweet baby who could probably keep themselves occupied. Now you’ve got a little human being with needs and wants that are bigger than he/she is. I hear this from a lot of work at home moms and experience it myself daily with my little guy. Many moms think that raising a toddler and working from home is impossible, stressing them to the max.

Don’t let this be you.  It doesn’t have to be bad all the time. Yes, kids have bad days (who doesn’t), but it doesn’t have to rule your life. Here are some tips to help you balance work and a toddler.

Some questions you need to ask yourself are:

Do I have a schedule?

Do I need a babysitter?

Do I have a set work area?

Do I have food in the house? (Most important one for toddlers!)

Helpful Tips:

Toddlers are the most unpredictable, emotionally challenging, and physically draining bunch of them all. They are at a stage in life where everything is new, everything is changing, their emotions are off the charts and they are hungry 24/7, yet don’t like a thing you feed them.

Make a schedule

First thing is to make a schedule where you may do 30 mins of work then 30 mins with them. Add meal times, nap times (if you are lucky and they still take one!), Learning time and whatever else you may like to plan. Toddlers have a short attention span; they cannot focus for long so that is why you need short intervals for activity. Try to stick to it as long as possible but know when to say, time for a break. This might do you both some good.

Get Help

Due to their short attention span, it may get to the point where outside help is needed. Hiring a babysitter once in a while to get a bulk of work done can make a huge difference. As much as you love motherhood, you also need time to focus on your business without constantly worrying about your child. Toddlers, especially, require constant supervision because they always seem to find something to get into, break, or color on.

There are many mother’s helpers you can hire to keep your little one entertained for a few hours a week while you work uninterrupted. A great place to start is by checking out your local college’s Early Education program, as there are often young college students looking for flexible work in their field of study.

Alternatively, for more consistent and reliable support, you could consider an au pair. Services like Go Au Pair connect families with live-in au pairs who can help not only during work hours but also in those moments when you just need a little extra help around the house. With an au pair, you’ll have the flexibility and peace of mind knowing your child is well cared for while you focus on your business or take time for yourself.

Work Area

Equally important is Work area. Do you have one? Do you need one? Some have a room that can double as play room and office. Some just use the couch to sit at. Find what works for you.

Toddlers are constantly hungry and growing. They need tons of meals and snacks. Make sure you are covered for the day or be prepared for a shopping trip! Plan ahead and have a few different snacks on hand (because we all know their palate is as unpredictable as they are. Check out this round up of 75 Delicious & Healthy Toddler snacks that might help you come up with some ideas to have some easy foods on hand.

 

Be Flexible.

You started this journey so you could stay home with your little one and not send them to day care or be unavailable. Take some time to relax and enjoy having them around. You can do all of it as long as you have balance and are open to what may come your way. Don’t be so hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. With a little creativity and flexibility you will be a rock star at this mompreneur thing.

 

It will be a challenge getting into the swing of toddlerhood and work at home life, but once you do you’ll appreciate the ability to spend extra time with your little one while still being able to shoot for the stars on the work front.

Finally,  Looking for more toddler tips? Check out Ways to raise a toddler without losing your mind.