Productivity Hacks for Work From Home Moms

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Being a work-from-home mom can be both a blessing and a challenge. It can feel like we’re focusing too much on one or the other.

But if you have a few solid strategies, it can become much more manageable.

Luckily, there are many productivity hacks that can help you get more done and help you achieve that healthy work-life balance you’re looking for.

As a family with two parents who work from home, we’ve come up with some ways to help you manage your time like a pro.

Embrace Time Blocking

One of my best productivity hacks for moms is time blocking. It’s a simple and effective strategy if you can implement it properly.

I divide my day into blocks of time when I focus on one specific task. I tend to jump around from task to task if I don’t have my day blocked out.

And then I start feeling overwhelmed. And then I get nothing done. It’s a terrible cycle.

When I structure my day with blocks of time for specific things, staying on one task at a time is much easier.

How I Create a Time-Blocking Schedule:

• Morning: Block time for priority work tasks. This is when I feel freshest and can concentrate best, so I try to get the most important things done.
• Midday: Reserve time for family activities, lunch, or light tasks. If the kids aren’t home, I’ll eat lunch while doing some lighter work. Otherwise, I forget to eat what’s in front of me.
• Afternoon: Focus on tasks that require less concentration or energy. This is when I will often do my strategic planning. If I have tasks left over from the morning, I will work on those, but with the understanding that it might be more difficult for me.
• Evening: Plan for family time, personal relaxation, or prepping for the next day. I sometimes do some work after the kids go to bed if there is something urgent, but I make it a rule to keep evenings with the kids work-free.

A time-blocking schedule helps me stay on track and helps me be more productive. Your time-blocking schedule may look different. If you work best in the afternoon, you may put your high-concentration tasks into that block of time.

Find what arrangement works for you and the tasks you have.

Prioritize Your Tasks

As a work-from-home mom and someone who doesn’t have a boss to tell me the priority of tasks, I find everything feels like a priority.

I’ve had to force myself to learn how to prioritize tasks.

Tips for Prioritizing:

• Use a To-Do List: Start your day by listing all tasks. Rank them as high, medium, or low priority. I also like to list them in the order that they need to be done. Task B may be a high priority, but if task A needs to be done before you can do task B, task A is the higher priority.
• The 80/20 Rule: Focus on the 20% of tasks that will bring the most significant results.
• Delegate: If possible, delegate chores or work tasks that don’t require your expertise.

This one has been difficult for me to learn, and I still have to sit down with a list and write it all out. But it’s been huge for being more productive with work.

Schedule Quality Family Breaks

A huge perk of working from home is being close to your family. I don’t often work when the kids are home (I only do this if my husband is off work), but my husband does.

It’s been a bit of a challenge with two small kids. My husband takes on half of the parenting when he’s not working, so he’s very hands-on. And my kids want to be with him all the time (and honestly, so do I!)

We make sure that quality time is built into our day so the kids feel like they get time with their dad. Especially since there are only a couple of hours between the end of his workday and bedtime, which is usually taken up with making and eating supper.

Other Ideas for Quality Breaks:

• Snack Time: Share a quick snack and chat about your kids’ day.
• Outdoor Fun: Take a short walk or play in the backyard.
• Craft Breaks: Set up a simple craft or activity that’s easy to clean up.

These breaks refresh your mind and strengthen your bond with your family.

When I’m working and my kids are at their Grandmum’s house, I will set aside time for my husband and me. We’re not allowed to talk about kids stuff. Even just a half hour of hanging out has made a difference for us.

Set Boundaries Between Work and Home

To go along with that, we set boundaries between work and home. First, we always have the office door closed if one of us is working and the kids are home. If he doesn’t, my oldest son will run in and chat away to my husband.

As a working mom, setting those boundaries can help prevent burnout and allow you to be fully present in both roles.

Boundary Tips:

• Designate a Workspace: Even if it’s a corner of your living room, having a specific area for work helps mentally separate work from home. For more tips on this, check out this post for small home office ideas.
• Set Office Hours: Tell your family your work hours and stick to them.
• Communicate with Your Family: Explain when you’re available and when you need uninterrupted focus. If your family is struggling with this, you could consider having a sign on your office door that lets them know whether you can be interrupted or not.

Clear boundaries ensure a healthier work-life balance for you and your family. It can be challenging for many people to put in place, though. For more tips on how to start setting better boundaries, check out this post.

Use Technology to Stay Organized

Technology can be a game-changer for working mothers. The right tools make life easier, from organizing tasks to staying connected with your team.

Top Productivity Tools:

• Trello or Asana: Organize tasks and projects efficiently.
• Google Calendar: Sync your time-blocking schedule and get reminders.
• Focus Apps: Tools like Forest or Focus@Will help you stay on task during work hours.

I use an app called AnyList to keep track of everything in my life. It’s not a work-specific app—in fact, it’s made for meal planning, but I find it’s all I need for my work.

Batch Similar Tasks

Another fantastic productivity hack for busy moms is to group similar tasks. I struggle to transition from one thing to another when they’re unrelated.

But if I can batch similar things, I don’t use as much mental energy transitioning from one thing to another, and I get more done.

Examples of Task Batching:

• Emails: Check and respond to emails twice a day instead of constantly.
• Meal Prep: Plan and prepare meals for the week in one go. Even knowing what I’m having for snacks and lunch helps. This way I waste less time trying to figure it out.
• Chores: Dedicate a specific time to tackle all household chores. We don’t do chores during work time at all. It’s tough when you see that pile of laundry that needs to be folded, but we do our best to ignore it.

Batching helps streamline your workflow and saves time in the long run.

Take Care of Yourself

Prioritizing self-care is just as important as completing all the work and home tasks. A tired mom can’t perform at her best if she’s not filling her own bucket, too.

When you’re well-rested and energized, you’re more productive.

Self-Care Ideas:

• Morning Routine: Start your day with a few minutes of quiet time, exercise, or journaling. Check out this post for more tips on setting a morning routine that works for you and your family.
• Mini Breaks: Take 5-minute breaks to stretch or meditate during the day. My husband and I like to take exercise breaks throughout our workday. I take 20 minutes to lift some weights and spend a good amount of time on my walking pad while working.
• Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. I hate myself for even saying this as a parent to a young toddler. But I try to let things go elsewhere and go to bed early when he’s been wakeful at night. I’m a better parent, partner and am more productive at work.

Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for being an effective working mom.

Plan Your Day Ahead of Time

One of the simplest productivity hacks is to prepare for your day ahead of time. This minimizes decision fatigue and sets you up for success.

I usually do this at the end of each workday just because what needs to be done is fresh in my mind. But this can also be done in the evening after the kids have gone to bed.

Prep Tips:

• Review Your Schedule: Check your tasks and adjust your time-blocking schedule if needed.
• Set Out Essentials: Lay out clothes, pack lunches, or organize work materials.
• Unwind: Please take time to unwind. My husband and I take at least 30 minutes at the end of the night to watch something together, and it helps us get ready for bed.

Starting your day with a clear plan makes it easier to tackle tasks head-on.

Outsource When Possible

As a busy mom, you don’t have to do everything yourself (even though it can feel like it!). Outsourcing certain tasks can free up valuable time for more important activities.

Tasks You Can Outsource:

• House Cleaning: Hire a cleaner for a few hours a week. This isn’t feasible for many folks, but even delegating to others in your family will be helpful.
• Grocery Shopping: Use delivery or pickup services. We do this every week. I put the order in at night, and the kids and I go pick it up the next morning. It saves us a ton of time.
• Administrative Work: Delegate simple tasks if you run a business.

Outsourcing reduces stress and helps you focus on what truly matters.

Celebrate Small Wins

Finally, celebrate your achievements—big and small. Acknowledging your progress keeps you motivated and reminds you of your capabilities as a working mother.

I struggle with this one because I tend to focus on what I have left to do. But when I look back and acknowledge how far I’ve come, I come away feeling even more motivated.

Celebration Ideas:

• Daily Gratitude: Write down one thing you accomplished each day.
• Family Fun: Reward yourself and your family with a special treat.
• Personal Rewards: Indulge in something you love, like a favorite dessert or a relaxing bath.

Recognizing your efforts boosts morale and keeps you going strong.

Final Thoughts

Being a work-from-home mom comes with unique challenges, but with the right strategies, you can thrive professionally and personally. Implementing these productivity hacks helps you manage your time, achieve your goals, and enjoy quality moments with your family.

You don’t have to be perfect—take it one day at a time. With a well-planned time-blocking schedule, clear priorities, and self-care, you can conquer your day and be the amazing working mom you’re meant to be!