9 Tips for Working from Home with a Baby

Being a working mom (or dad) is no small task. Being a mom who works from home with kids...even harder. Add to that a spouse who works outside the house, a lack of childcare options, and a clingy baby who always wants to be with mama, and you have a recipe for burnout.

So how do you manage everything without losing your mind? It's simple but not easy.

I've been working from home since the start of the pandemic, when I lost my job and started freelancing. I thought I had it down to the details, but when my baby arrived last year, it threw me for a loop. I never imagined how hard it would be to focus and complete a single task with a baby to watch.

Luckily, I had understanding clients and bosses, so I was able to fudge it a bit. Finally, after almost eight months back at work, I feel like my head is above water, and I have a routine that works for us...at least most of the time.

Here are my nine tips to maximize your work and minimize stress while enjoying your precious time with your little one.

Establish a routine and stick to it.

This will help create a sense of normalcy for you and your child. Set aside specific times for work, childcare, and breaks to ensure everyone's needs are met. A routine doesn't mean a schedule. Every day is different with a little one; flexibility has to be your middle name. Some days they may wake up late or be in a bad mood. They may feel sick and want to cuddle with you all day or have the energy of a barrel of monkeys. Either way, a routine that they can rely on is crucial. My son knows every day that sometime before lunch, I will load him up in the stroller, and we will go for a walk. As soon as his head hits the stroller, he's already yawning, and by the time I get to my favorite coffee shop, he's fast asleep, and I can get in about 2 hours of work. We don't go at the same time or same place every day, but he can count on a pre-lunch nap, and I can count on a few hours of uninterrupted writing time.

Set boundaries.

Make sure to let your colleagues and family know when you are working and unable to be disturbed. If possible, set up a specific workspace your child knows is off-limits during work hours. My husband works six days a week and long hours, so on his day off, he knows that I need a certain amount of time to focus solely on work and catch up on any projects I didn't get to during the week. While our son is at that "I-only-want-mama" stage now, he knows when it's daddy time and has become accustomed to the schedule. This gives me a mental break from parenting and lets me focus for a bit. It's essential to utilize all your support people.

Get creative with childcare.

If you have another adult in the house, consider taking turns watching the child while the other works. If not, look into hiring a babysitter or enrolling your child in a daycare or preschool program.

When I was on maternity leave, I joined a mom group where I was able to connect with moms in the same stage of life. Take advantage of these groups and set up a rotating babysitter schedule with other working moms to give everyone free childcare and several days a week of work time.

Take breaks.

Working from home with a child can be stressful and exhausting. Remember to take breaks throughout the day to spend time with your child and give yourself a chance to recharge. While work is necessary, a child needs love and attention most. Don't forget to soak up those little hugs and kisses.

When it's time to take a break, I try to disconnect from work and focus on my son entirely. This will provide him with the connection he desperately wants, help with his behavior, and helps me regulate my stress with much-needed decompression time.

Have a dump day.

When I make my weekly schedule, I always have one day with nothing scheduled. I call this my dump day. All throughout the week, all the little unfinished tasks I don't get through are put on my dump day to-do list. Then I use my free day to tie up projects, finish these tasks, and have a pleasant work day where I achieve many things. That way, if I'm running behind or forget something, I have given myself a backup strategy, and I don't need to eat myself up over it. If I have a productive week with no extra tasks, I spend my dump day playing with the baby and enjoying my family time.

Don't underestimate speech-to-text.

Software like speak-to-text, AI writing, and other fast-paced worker's aids are great ways to utilize your time more efficiently. When my son was a newborn, he would only nap if he was being rocked or in a baby carrier. To meet work deadlines, I often "typed out" the bulk of my writing using my phone and the speak-to-text function. This allowed me to work with only one hand while patting a baby, tied up nursing, or laying in bed with the baby away from my computer. It was a huge way to maximize time when I was in a pinch and hands-free.  

Take advantage of nap time by scheduling your most important tasks.

Naps are the anchor on which WFH parents build their schedules. A strong napping routine will give you the best windows of opportunity for deep focus.

My son takes 2-3 naps a day and sleeps best in his stroller. I've built my work schedule around the times I know he will likely sleep. I also plan work around when he likes to nurse because I know I can nurse him from a carrier hand free while working.

Use tools.

Invest in a baby monitor so that you can work while your baby is in a different room. If your child is old enough for independent play, getting a baby monitor or pack-n-play can free up your hands and let you take advantage of their blossoming independence.

My son is still too small to play in another room, but I have a pack-n-play set up near my desk so he can sit and entertain himself while I can watch him from a safe but not distracting distance.

Be kind to yourself.

Working from home while caring for a child is a lot to manage. Cut yourself some slack if things don't go as planned. If you make a mistake or miss a deadline, the world won't end. Remember to stay organized and be realistic about what you can handle, but don't beat yourself up if something happens.

Being a working mom isn't easy. It's exhausting and overwhelming at times, but with a good routine, a little help, and some patience, it is possible to have a rewarding career while staying with your little one. If you need help finding a career conducive to working from home or want to get back out there after a work hiatus, Misulis Group can help. We offer career coaching to help you find your perfect position and personal document evaluation to help you get it. Don't forget to check out our book, The MG Guide, available on our website and amazon, for more helpful advice.