Before you actually become a work from home parent, it may seem like everything in your life will instantly become easier because you have the luxury of working from home. Yes, that is a huge perk of switching from working in an office to working at home, but working from home, especially as a work from home mom or work from home dad is no walk in the park.
Take a look at these 5 common struggles parents face working from home:
Struggle #1 – Finding the time
Let’s talk about the first challenge of working from home: finding time to work.
We all know that staying busy is one of the best ways to stay focused and productive, but sometimes it can feel like you don’t have enough hours in a day. If you are like me, then this is especially true when it comes to trying to find time for both household chores and your side hustle.
My biggest advice for working from home moms? Schedule your work time! Set aside specific hours every day or week where you can get your side hustle done without distraction. Try setting alarms on your phone or simply writing down what needs done so that there are no surprises when deciding how much time will be needed for each task on a given day (I usually use my weekends).
Struggle #2 – Wearing too many hats
You're your own boss. If a meeting doesn't go well or the product launch is delayed, it's all on you to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. That's not an easy thing when there isn't anyone else around to bounce ideas off of or help shoulder the load when things get tough. But if you're going to work from home and be successful as a freelancer, this is going to happen every now and then—so learn how to deal with failure gracefully (or at least learn enough so that you can ask for advice).
You have no office walls separating you from people who depend on your services (in this case: your family). This can be great for communication and bonding but also means there's no barrier between where their stuff ends up versus where yours does. From toys scattered across the floor near your desk where they should be stored away in another room, dirty dishes in the sink because someone forgot about them during breakfast cleanup, laundry piles up after being thrown into baskets instead of properly sorted into machines/dryers… these are just examples! Just remember: The more open space there is for messes created by others using common areas such as kitchens/living rooms/bathrooms etc., then greater likelihood those messes will end up affecting productivity levels too!
Struggle #3 – Avoiding distractions
Distractions at home. There are many things you can do to avoid distractions while working from home. One is keeping the kids away from your work space so they don’t bother you while you’re trying to get stuff done. Another is making sure all their needs are taken care of before starting your shift—this means feeding them, giving them baths and putting on their pajamas, making sure they have enough diapers and wipes, etc. Also try to keep pets out of the way because it can be difficult to concentrate when a dog is barking at something in the yard or a cat keeps jumping onto your desk!
Distractions online. Yes, we all know the internet has its uses for work-from-home moms who want some peace and quiet but there are also many sites that might distract us from our daily tasks (and believe me…I speak from experience!). Here's what I recommend:
- Try not going on social media unless it's absolutely necessary for business purposes (which should happen rarely).
- Turn off notifications so emails aren't constantly popping up on your screen like little red flags telling everyone how annoying they are ;)
- Don't visit YouTube unless it's absolutely necessary for business purposes too :)
Struggle #4 – Planning for the future and for your retirement
Have you ever thought about your retirement? Do you have a 401(k) plan or an emergency fund?
What if the worst happens and one of your kids gets hurt, or worse, they get sick and can’t work anymore. What will happen then? Or what if something bad happens to your husband? Will he be able to take care of himself and his family financially, emotionally and physically?
If these questions are causing stress for yourself or for someone that you love, then it might be time to consider getting some professional help from a financial advisor. A financial advisor can assist with planning for the future so that everything is taken care of no matter what happens in life. This way when everything does go south as sometimes happens in our lives we already have plans in place so there won't be any surprises (or panic attacks).
Struggle #5 – Self-care
Self-care is so important for moms who work from home. When you’re on your own, it can be easy to get lost in the busyness of life, which can lead to burnout and depression. Taking time each day to recharge your batteries will keep you feeling motivated, productive, and happy!
Here are some quick ideas:
Spend 5-10 minutes meditating in the morning or evening. You don’t have to do this every day—just pick one or two days during the week that works best for you and stick with them
Take a walk around the neighborhood after breakfast or lunch. Go on a hike once per month with friends or family (use our website as inspiration for great hikes)
Working from home as a mom may be hard, but it can be done.
Working from home as a mom can be hard, but with the right attitude and some preparation, you can get through it. Here are some tips to help you manage the daily challenges of working from home:
Be flexible. If you're not, then no one else will be either. If there's one lesson I've learned as a work-from-home mom, it's that flexibility is key. Your boss might not understand—and they probably won't—but being flexible will make everyone happier in the long run.
Learn to say no when appropriate (and even sometimes when it's not). As a work-from-home parent, you're going to have plenty of opportunities for socializing and fun times with friends and family members who love hanging out with their little ones too; this doesn't mean that every request for playtime needs its own "yes" label attached! Letting go of guilt about saying no can help save time for getting things done around the house...or just enjoying another cup of coffee on your back porch with an uninterrupted view of nature outside your window!
Ask for help when needed; don't be afraid or ashamed about doing so either! It may seem like asking others for assistance isn't worth their time or effort since many people feel uncomfortable helping anyone other than themselves (and maybe their kids), but if we all do our part then what appears impossible becomes possible over time--even if only by small increments each day."
Not sure what to ask an employer before accepting a job offer? Check out 7 Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Work From Home Job
Still thinking about making the switch to working remotely? Check out 5 Reasons to Switch to a Remote Position in 2022
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