Ten Summer Survival Tips for Work-at-Home Moms (With Recipes!)

Noise.?Interruptions.?Frustration.

Are we having fun yet?

Of course, we love our kids.?But we’ve also gotten ourselves into a certain groove.?One which doesn’t include…

This:

As part of the workday.

Summer's half over.?So, if your kids have already been to camp (twice), have watched every show on PBS Kids, and have (yes, literally) reached the end of the internet, here are some tips that might just get you through these last few weeks of summer.

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1. Create a morning ritual.

Starting the day with a story (or a snuggle) can make a huge difference in the amount of time your kids will tolerate being away from you.?Begin your workday two hours before your kids’ normal wake-up time.?Then take a thirty-minute break to drink cocoa, read stories, eat breakfast, or do anything else that will create a meaningful early morning experience for your kids.?You’ll be surprised how much work time they’ll be willing to give you once they’ve had their expected dose of Mommy time.

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2. Set up a designated workspace.

If you haven't already, set up a workspace just for you.?No fingerpaints, no peanut butter, no exceptions.?If you don’t have a door, create a physical “No Kids Zone” with tape.?This ensures that your stuff stays where you put it and is accessible when you need it.?It also reminds you that this is where work happens.?Step out of the zone, you’re Mommy.?Step into the zone, you’re the boss.?????

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3.?Set Up an Alternative Schedule.

Just for the remainder of the summer, embrace your inner early riser.?Get up with the sun (which in August is pretty early!), brew some coffee, and start your day.?You’ll optimize your productivity by working while the kids are asleep and feel less stressed when they wake up.

4.?Take frequent breaks.

If you have the flexibility, take short breaks every hour to set up new activities, put out snacks, or make quick trips outside.?If your kids know you’ll be available for frequent (albeit short) visits, they’ll be more likely to leave you alone during “worktime.”

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5.?Schedule a lunch date – with your kids.?

For the rest of the summer, commit to a daily lunch break with your kids.?It can be as simple as PB&J on a picnic blanket in the backyard or a frozen pizza (prepared by your kids!) eaten while listening to the next chapter of your family’s favorite audiobook (A Wrinkle in Time, anyone?).?The important thing is that your kids know it’s time they can count on to spend together.?(Which might keep them out of your hair for the rest of the afternoon!)

6.?Post your office hours.

Having a visual of your daily schedule makes it easier for your kids to respect the boundaries you’ve set in place and to understand that worktime (as well as playtime) is sacrosanct.??A schedule lets them know when lunch is (and when to put that pizza in the oven!)?It lets them know when your next break is.?Quite simply, a visual of your time makes it easier for them to manage their time.?Win-win.

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7. Hold a daily happy hour.

Celebrate the end of each workday with a group snack and cocktail (that’s a mocktail for you junior members).?Kids can look at your posted schedule, put out plates of nuts or chips, and prepare easy end-of-the-day drinks like these.?It will give them something to do during those last — often difficult to manage — minutes of the workday and give all of you a nice way to cap off the day.

8.?Be prepared to catch up later.

Let’s face it.?Some days you’re just not going to get your work done in the amount of time you’ve allotted.?And that’s okay.?Commit to ending your official workday at the time you’ve posted and come back to play catch-up after the kids have gone to bed.?It will mean a long day for you but will keep the kids on schedule and let them know they can count on a consistent routine.?They may not always show how much they look forward to the rituals you’ve set up, but they do.?Keep Mommy time sacred.

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9.?Ask for help.

If your kids are very young and can’t manage their own time in large chunks, you may have to ask for help.?Extended family, friends, spouses, and other work-at-home moms (hello, kid-swap) may need to be engaged from time to time to step in during vital moments (meetings, conference calls, tight deadlines).?Save these favors for when you really need them and (fingers-crossed) you’ll always have coverage at crucial moments.

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10.?Hire help.

You may have found by this point that you just can’t get all your work done with the kids around.?If this is the case, a staffing agency may provide the relief you need.?

A good staffing agency:

·??????Saves you time by performing background checks, interviewing potential hires, and dealing with necessary paperwork before recommending the right candidate for the job.

·??????Saves you money by covering many of your employee costs including health, liability, and unemployment insurance; retirement benefits; employer taxes; and workers’ compensation.

·??????Saves you frustration by hiring fast and short-term to fill gaps in projects requiring a specialized skill set or to provide additional help when you’ve got a tight deadline.

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So, you might actually have time for this:

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