Among other things, the pandemic has ushered in a new era of remote work. In the initial widespread shutdowns, numerous businesses quickly looked for ways to enable their employees to work from home. As things began to open back up, many of those employees chose or requested to continue working remotely.

As a mom, remote work can be ideal for balancing work and family. It often affords greater flexibility for attending to family commitments and responsibilities. It allows more time to spend with the kids. And it eliminates commute times, opening up more time for both work and family.

Working remotely as a mom isn’t without its challenges, however, especially if you have children at home. It is often difficult to draw clear boundaries between work and home life, the constant multitasking can be exhausting, and working with kids underfoot is no joke. Knowing the full reality of remote work is important for establishing realistic expectations, but the good news is all these challenges can be managed with a few helpful strategies.

Whether you’re already working from home or you are considering a remote job, here are five tips to stay productive and sane as a remotely working mom.

5 Remote Work Tips for Working Moms

While it’s not as easy as people might think, remote work can offer flexibility and freedom that is great for moms trying to juggle paid work and family care. Keep these remote work tips for working moms in mind to thrive both on the job and at home.

Create a schedule

In order to manage your work and family commitments effectively, your day needs structure. Having a predictable and consistent routine will help you stay focused and productive and keep the overwhelm at bay. Just as you would if you worked outside your home, set specific “office hours,” and do your best to stick to them. Decide what parts of the day you will devote to family time, and be fully present during those hours.
Be flexible

That being said, one of the benefits of remote work is the flexibility it can offer, so be open to changes in your day. Work out an agreement with your employer about how many hours you need to log and when you need to work them. Depending on the job, many employers these days understand the need for nontraditional schedules and are willing to accommodate some flexibility as long as the work gets done.
Separate your mom and work roles

One of the biggest challenges of working remotely is the lack of physical separation between work and home. Without a clear delineation, it can feel like you’re always at work. One way to mentally separate your mom and work roles is by establishing a dedicated workspace. Ideally, this would be a separate home office, but if that’s not possible, try to find an area you can turn into your own personal workspace.

Another helpful strategy is to set clear boundaries around your work time. Decide when you will and will not answer work calls, check email, and perform work-related tasks. Then, establish rhythms in your day signaling the beginning of your work time (such as getting dressed and sitting down at your workspace) and the end (such as shutting off your computer and walking away or closing your home office door).

When you work remotely, work life and home life will naturally overlap at times. Successfully balancing both will require an openness and flexibility to that intersection. However, the more you can mentally and physically separate your mom and work roles, the more focused attention and energy you will be able to give to both.
Set aside specific toys and activities for while you are working

Never underestimate the power of something new to hold kids’ attention. They always play longer and better with toys or activities that aren’t the same old ones available to them anytime they want. With that in mind, keep an arsenal of toys and activities that you only bring out when you need them to play quietly and independently, such as during a phone call or Zoom meeting. Building toys, sensory bins, reusable sticker sets, and paint with water books are a few ways to keep young kids occupied while you work.
Have realistic expectations, and ask for help when you need it!

Finally, set realistic expectations for yourself, and don’t expect to balance everything perfectly all the time. Realize that just because you are home doesn’t mean you will be able to tackle all the household chores, fulfill all family commitments, or entertain your kids all day. Balancing work and family is a big undertaking, and there will be times you need to give more of your attention to one than the other. Be kind to yourself and give yourself plenty of grace.

Along with that, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Lean on friends and family members for support, hire a babysitter when you need one, and communicate with your partner to create workable divisions of labor. Remember, no woman can successfully fulfill all her roles without help from others, and seeking help when you need it will enable you to give more of yourself to both your work and your family.

Working remotely can be a great solution for moms wanting to balance paid work and family life, but the constant multitasking can take its toll. Set yourself up for success in both work and home by implementing the above remote work tips for working moms.

Are you interested in finding remote work that is conducive to mom life? Parents Pivot can help! With one-on-one and group coaching, we can help you pivot in the workplace and find the job that’s right for you. Set up a coaching session with Anna for customized support as you transition to flexible, fulfilling paid work.