These 5 work productivity hacks for moms might save your sanity
Your kids call you mom, but that’s not where the titles end. You’re also a chef, a doctor, a professor, a chauffeur … and that’s before any titles you hold at work!
A work/life balance seems like you don’t have enough hours in the day. Some days feel like survival in the wild. Some days feel so rewarding. And some days?
We go from gentle Rex from Toy Story to bat-shit-crazy Blue from Jurassic Park in 2.5 seconds.
Now, in addition to all you do at home, you’re expected to work remotely?
Honestly, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ productivity hack. Everyone’s life is different, and there’s no silver bullet here.
I can share what’s helped me juggle work and mom life without (completely) losing my mind.
First and foremost: life happens.
We work to live; we don’t live to work. Your priority is and forever will be your little humans, and so it should be. I can’t guarantee perfect days, but I can tell you that you don’t have to constantly feel like you’re in survival mode if you follow these tips.
1. Manage your time
Problem
You have a full deck of work, but also school drop-offs and pick-ups, extracurriculars, appointments, dinner, and bedtime. You feel like there are just not enough hours in the day.
Solution
Split your day where you need to. This takes a little planning, but seeing where your time actually goes will help. Figure out - ahead of time - which work tasks require more focus and which can be done in smaller windows. Plan meals ahead of time so you’re not staring at the fridge at 5:30 PM wondering what to make. If you can, prep things on the weekend. Chop veggies, marinate meat, anything that makes weekday dinners faster.
This might mean working mornings before everyone is up or evenings when they’re in bed. I’m an early bird. You would have NEVER caught me working past 5 PM in my corporate job. I was the person jingling my keys at 4:55, waiting to get out of there. Now? I work evenings when I have to. Do I want to? No. But is it my only time? Some days, yes.
I always start working early before my son wakes up, then pause for the morning routine and school drop-off. If he’s sick or there’s an appointment, a straight workday isn’t possible, so I pick it back up in the evening once the routine is done. It’s not going to last forever, but right now, this is what works for me.
Pro tip: If you can make enough dinner for two nights, do it. Leftovers are a lifesaver.
2. Delegate at work and home.
Problem
You’re trying to do it all. Folding laundry while mentally planning next week’s meals, answering emails, and attending Zoom meetings. Multitasking sounds great, but in reality, it’s a fast track to burnout.
Solution
At work, lean on your team and use tools that make things easier. Creating and following processes takes the thinking out of a lot of tasks, so you can save your brain power for when you really need it. At home, get everyone involved. Kids can help with chores, partners can handle specific tasks, and outsourcing is worth every penny. You’re not slacking, you’re managing like a pro.
Pro tip: You’re also not the only one who likes checking things off a list. Kids love seeing their progress too. Get a whiteboard and make a chore list. Let them check off their tasks each day instead of asking them 100 times to clean their room. They’ll feel accomplished, and you won’t have to repeat yourself until your soul leaves your body.
3. Communicate
Problem
You’re constantly interrupted. Someone needs their 11th snack of the day and it’s only 9:10 AM, your boss just assigned you something urgent, you’ve got a Zoom meeting in seven minutes, and your dog needs to go out.
Solution
Set boundaries. Let your family know when you need Do Not Disturb time. Use a colour-coded sign green for “okay to come in,” or red for “emergencies only” (finding a missing Lego helmet does not count).
Pro tip: For younger kids, set them up with an engaging activity. Give them playdough and tell them to create a park, complete with a slide, swings, and grass. The more specific, the better.
4. Take breaks and spend time with them
No one needs to tell a mother that time is fleeting. In the blink of an eye, the babies are no longer babies. You know what does stay the same? Your inbox being full.
Problem
You’ve set up boundaries, given them activities, even allowed screen time, and they still keep coming to you.
Solution
Take a short break and spend time with them. Pack a lunch and go to the park. Watch a show together. Play a game of hide-and-seek. It breaks up the day for both of you. You are their best friend, and giving them that time fills their cup and yours too.
Pro tip: Set expectations by letting them know how long the break will be so there’s no dramatic meltdown when you have to get back to work. Ten minutes means ten minutes, not a half an hour. Plus, maybe they’ll pick up on your time management techniques!
5. Managing the guilt
Problem
You feel guilty when you’re working, and you feel guilty when you’re not. When you’re working, you’re thinking about the kids. When you’re with the kids, you’re worrying about work. The guilt cycle is relentless.
Solution
Set clear boundaries and protect them fiercely. Communicate your schedule to your team and your family. When you’re in work mode, be present. When you’re with your family, be present. And remember you can’t pour from an empty cup, so carve out time for yourself, even if it’s just for 15 minutes to eat an Oh Henry! in the closet because you don’t want to share.
Pro tip: Seeing what you did do instead of focusing on what you didn’t can shift your mindset from guilt to gratitude. Remind yourself: your kids aren’t keeping score. They won’t remember every time you answered an email, but they will remember the moments you were present. Find the balance.
In conclusion
Some days, you’ll want to throw in the towel. Some days, you’ll say, I can’t do this. Showing up for people is also showing up for yourself - everyone loves to see a balancing act because they know it’s difficult, and it’s an art.
