4 years ago, I was teaching school full time, and my first son was born. It was a beautiful and yet really difficult time for me. I love being a teacher with every fiber of my being, but I loved this little baby even more. It broke me apart to leave him with a sitter each day. I quickly began to realize how fast those first few years before he began school would really go, and I knew I didn’t want to miss out on it. So, we took a leap of faith, I quit my job, and I began to figure out how to be a stay at home Mom and work from home at the same time.
Fast forward 4 years, and this is pretty much what my day looks like:
Only, add in three little boys running circles around that table, two dogs needing to be let outside, and a to do list a mile long. Does this sound familiar? Is this anything like your home? Believe me, I am beyond grateful that I have been able to work from home to stay with my children while they are young. I count it as one of my greatest blessings. But, it isn’t easy!
Some people ask me why I do it-why am I a stay at home Mom and work from home, too. Well, every Mom is different, but for me, my work keeps me feeling like me. As a Mom, I give everything to my children, but I sometimes feel as if I lose myself. By working and creating teaching products from home, I still feel almost like the teacher I used to be, and hope to be again some day.
So, how do I do it? How do I get everything done I need to: I teach online, I create teaching products, I am a faithful church attendee and volunteer, I am a wife, and a Mom of 3. First of all, don’t feel like you have to be perfect, because believe me, half the time I’m a hot mess. Below are 5 steps I take to stay on top of all of my tasks, still find time to enjoy living life, and stay afloat!
Step 1: Set up a Workplace and Use a Laptop:
This is my designated work space. I don’t have a separate room for an office, but I do have a computer desk and space for organization in my loft. I put pictures and items around my desk and on my walls to keep me motivated and remind me of my goals. This is my happy space. It is my Little Owl Academy central. This is where I store all of my hand written notes, my ideas, print out of products, and more. It is essential to have a designated work space to keep track of everything you are working on and creating, especially of you are a teacherprenuer.
I used only this Mac computer until 4 months ago, when my husband surprised me with a new laptop. Little did I know that laptop would be a game changer for me. I use a Mac. I would strongly suggest a Mac! My desktop and my laptop share the same screen. Anything I do on one saves to the other. I can’t be a Mom of 3 young boys and sit at a desk all day. It just doesn’t happen. So, although this is my happy space and my central work space, I use my laptop more often. I can carry it outside while the boys are playing. I can have it in the kitchen while I’m making dinner. The few minutes I snatch here and there throughout the day make a huge difference. Using a central work station and a separate laptop has been essential for me to be a stay at home Mom and work from home.
Step 2: Use Microsoft One Note to Successfully Manage your at Home Job and being a Mom.
I have tried everything when it comes to writing down my to-do’s, tracking my goals, and managing all of my calendar events. You used to find me carrying a planner every where I went, because I remembered things best when I wrote it down. Then, my online teaching resources business began to take off, and there was just too much to keep track of that I needed to write down. That’s when I discovered Microsoft One Note. It’s free, and it’s amazing.
This program runs on each of my computers and is also an app on my phone. It syncs wonderfully between each device, so anything I write on one will automatically show up on the other. Basically, this program lets me create folders, sub folders, and write notes in those folders. It has a To-Do list tool that gives you boxes to check off. You can insert pictures or other media. It’s my saving grace when it comes to being a stay at home Mom and working from home.
I have a folder for my online teaching job, a folder for the different areas of my teaching resources work, and a folder for my Mom to-do’s, such as house hold chores, upcoming events for my children, doctors appointments, and therapy lists. I write everything I need to do in these folders. I also add an overall To-Do list for the week. I make sure to add those check mark boxes, and I love checking one off each time something is accomplished.
The reason I love doing it this way so much, is that it keeps me focused when it comes time to work. If I have 10 minutes here or there, there is no question about what I can work on. I open up One Note and see my first To-Do and I go to work. Microsoft One note has changed my business!
Step 3: Set a Designated Work Time Each Day for you, a Rest Time for your Children.
When all of my children used to take naps, I used nap time to really focus in on my work. The second they were asleep, I sat at the computer and was able to accomplish so much! Now, I have 3 children 4 and under. Only one of those sweet boys takes regular naps. I quickly realized not having that chunk of time each day to really focus on my work was hurting me, so I “invented” rest time.
Every afternoon my boys know it’s rest time. They have a few choices of activities to complete during this time. I know some Mom’s have their children stay in their rooms, but that didn’t work for me. So instead, my boys have a few choices. A few days a week I allow them to watch a movie. The other days, I let them choose to do puzzles, legos, or another educational toys. Here are some of the toys that keep them focused and playing quietly during their rest time.
- Books: Not technically toys, but they still make my list. I keep a variety of books available during rest time. I always make sure they have vivid pictures, are an eye spy book, lift the flap book, or other interactive book.
- Toys that use tools to come apart and go back together. These specific dinosaurs were given to us as a gift, but they require a screw driver to take apart and put back together. It takes focus, fine motor skills, and time. It’s a great toy to keep them quiet during this time, yet learning.
- Blocks-Any blocks will do. But, these blocks pictures above are especially fun. They come with pictures that they have to match. You can find these on amazon, or I purchased these at Deseret Book.
- Magnets-I have been surprised since becoming a Mom at how interactive and quiet magnets can be. My boys either do them on our back door, or on a large cookie sheet. They can play quietly by me with them and I can lean over and ask them questions or encourage play from the magnets they are using.
- Melissa and Doug toys-I am the biggest Melissa and Doug fan there is. Every single one of their toys are fantastic, educational, and require creative play. This shape puzzle is just one example of their toys. Choose one that your child can play quietly while you work.
Step 4: Use Tracing Pages or Other Printables:
When a movie or quiet rest time toys aren’t enough, I like to pull out my fun tracing and cutting pages. I place a small table by my work station, or let my children sit by me at the kitchen table. We say that we are working together. I am working on the computer, and they are working on their pages. They trace and cut away while I type away. I always encourage them to do the pages right first, then they can cut them up any way they like. They love to cut the lines and then cut each section as small as they can. It’s great for their fine motor skills and tracing skills!
You can find these specific tracing pages here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tracing-and-Cutting-Pages-for-Boys-and-for-Girls-Bundle-4614358
Step 5: Be Flexible. Be Kind to Yourself.
This is the most important step. Like I mentioned in the beginning, I often feel like a hot mess. Being a Mom is the hardest thing I have ever done. It is crazy, busy, messy, tear filled, and joyous all at once. Trying to do it all doesn’t always happen. Be flexible. If you need to stay up late one night to catch up on work, because you spent more time that day playing cars with your children than you had planned (this was me today), that’s okay! If you plan to work extremely hard during rest time, and instead lay down to read books with your children, that’s okay. Set goals. Work towards those goals. In the end, always make your children a priority.
Be kind to yourself. This don’t just happen over night when you are working at home. It takes patience, it takes time, and it takes focus. Be kind to yourself along the way. Being a stay at home Mom and working from home can be difficult, but with my 5 easy steps I have found success and joy along the way!