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How To Stay Organized As A Work At Home Mom
CareerLifestyle

How To Stay Organized As A Work At Home Mom

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

I’ve been working from home for the last five years and while there are times it can be challenging, I can never see myself working in an office again––I love it! But while most employees can leave their work at the door when they head home for the night, there is a learning curve to managing your personal and business life when they coexist in the same space.

I’m not kidding when I say that the only thing that makes this possible for me is having a planner––a paper planner. I’m sure digital calendars are great, but they are not a good fit for my personality and that’s why I was excited to receive a Purple Trail planner to try out for the upcoming year! If you’re on the fence about trying one out, here is my honest review. (Affiliate links included.)

If you’ve ever ordered anything from the internet, you know packages get quite a beating on their way to your door. That’s why I so appreciate the extra care that Purple Trail takes when boxing up planners. Everything was bubble wrapped and it even included a sweet “love” note, too!

There are literally hundreds of designs at Purple Trail and I personally chose this cute Llama and Cactus covered weekly planner for my needs. You can personalize both the colors and add your name if you’d like. Another great thing about these planners is you can start them any month you want. If you decide right now to get a planner, great! You don’t have to wait until the next batch of pre-made planners comes out, or waste half of one because you start mid-year.

I opted for an 8.5×11 size because I need plenty of space to write and I like that I can put regular sheets of paper that are important, like my daughter’s school papers that need to be signed. There is also a 6×8 option if you like something that will fit in your purse.

Additionally, you can choose from three cover options: hardcover, laminated cover (which is what I did) and a synthetic cover with a frosted top sheet.

Ok so a quick lesson on the types of planners out there. There are daily, weekly and monthly formatted options and basically this indicates how many pages is dedicated to your book. If you go with a daily option, that’s two pages for each day if you do a three month version, or one page per day for a six month version. Weekly options are a two-page spread and have weekly horizontal, weekly vertical and hourly vertical options if you need to be more time-focused. Monthly planners are more calendar focused and too my knowledge do not have separate pages for writing aside from the calendar.

I use a weekly horizontal option so I can have plenty of space to write work tasks and other small things throughout the day, with four days on one page and three on the other.

Since we aren’t into the new year yet, I don’t have a ton on my calendar pages, but I find that these are best suited for personal events, whereas I keep my work daily duties on the weekly pages. I also like to use washi tape to help bring attention to important items! I buy washi tape from Michael’s where I always find it for 3 for $.99!

New this year is a “week at a glance” section at the top of each week. It gives you a space to tackle big-picture tasks that may not take place on a specific day, but that need to get done. There is also a “notes” section that I see as being a great meal planning space!

I also love the two-year calendar spread because it gives you a quick (and colorful) glance at the upcoming year. I especially like this when I purchase a planner that may not be a traditional calendar year, but that starts in April or August.

Months are divided out with heavy duty tabs on thicker paper, and before each calendar there is a page dedicated to the month. Here you have the option to write out our birthdays, events and other things to remember.

While I try and focus on the present, I can’t help but look forward to the new year now that I feel organized and ready to tackle it head on. I know my planner’s got my back!

If you have any questions on the right planner for you, I’d be happy to help! Happy planning!

 

This planner was provided to me free of charge for my honest review.

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CareerLifestyle

The Best 2019 Planners For Moms

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

While it’s not quite the end of the year, busy moms everywhere know there’s no time like the present to get your schedule in order for the new year. Sure, there are tons of digital ways to keep the family organized, but there are plenty of parents who thrive using pen and paper and that’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best 2019 planners for moms. We love these options because they cater to moms and give you the ability to stay on top o of your life and get the most of out time with your kiddos. (This post contains affiliate links)

2019 best planners

1. Purple Trail

Speaking from personal experience, Purple Trail planners are amazing! They are customizable and come in daily, weekly, monthly, mom and family and even a new content style for blogging mamas! What I love about these planners are the colorful covers and interior pages, wide lined pages for scheduling and the options for hard or laminated covers. You can also start your planner any month of the year, so if you decide in April that you need a planner now, then go ahead and order one from then through March! This is a great option for moms who love custom goods.

best 2019 planners

2. momAgenda

The creators at momAgenda place moms at the focal point of their mission and it shows in their products. Choose from day planner pads or books that come in bound or spiral pads, and provide entire rows dedicated to your kids schedule––because sports. They also offer FREE printables for budget planning, back to school and vacation checklists, party planning, family info, goals, kids and more!

3. Amy Knapp’s Family Organizer

Yes, this planner is good for 17 months––all the praise hands! Each weekly spread page includes a to-do list, grocery list and menu planning section in addition to ample room for writing your daily tasks. The 6×8 size is perfect for toting on your purse, and the internal pockets mean you’ll stay neat and tidy!

best 2019 planners

4. Reminder Binder

If bright colors make your day, then the Reminder Binder is for you. The 17-month, 8.5″x7.25″ coiled planner comes with pockets, 361 stickers, weekly, monthly and yearly views and even a gift checklist! There are so many other features that we don’t have the space to list them all here, but you can find this planner that handles it all over at Denise Albright’s site, the home of the Reminder Binder.

best 2019 planners

5. Best Planner Ever

Jennifer Dawn’s Best Planner Ever is simply designed, but big on impact. It comes in several sizes and includes must-have organizational pages like vision and goal, daily, weekly, and monthly views, and even a section for brain dump. Hello moms! While the interior pages are basic black and white, it actually helps keep everything streamlined–perfect for the working or entrepreneurial mom.

 

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The Best 2019 Planners For Moms

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Career

10 Jobs That Are Perfect For A Stay-At-Home Mom

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

We live in an amazing time where more moms are taking the plunge to work from home instead of the traditional office setting. While working from home comes with challenges, perhaps the biggest positive is that moms get a chance to be with their kids throughout the day, not just in the morning and evening as dictated by a normal 8-5 position. Depending on the flexibility of the job, women can still be a part of all their kids’ school activities, sports, mid-day play dates and moms group outings. Working from home isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in switching to being a WFHM, here are some great jobs for a stay-at-home mom that may work for you.

jobs for stay-at-home mom

1. Freelance Writing Or Blogging

As a writer myself who works from home, it goes without saying that the first job I’m mentioning is writing and/or blogging. You don’t have to have a degree or a previous professional career in writing to freelance or blog, you just have to have a lot of determination and a strong voice that wants to be heard. Freelance writing is not for the faint of heart, but it can definitely pay the bills if you put in the hard work. I highly suggest starting your own website or blog to start out, as a place to hone your writing skills. When you submit work to other sites for publication, you can reference your own “portfolio” by referring sites to your own blog. We have a very simple tutorial on starting your own blog right here.

You can make even more side income by signing up for various affiliate programs and using them in your own blog articles. Even if you only plan to write for yourself, there is plenty money to be made by hosting advertising or writing sponsored posts.

2. Multi-Level Marketing Jobs

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM’s) jobs are not the “scam” they once were. Chances are you know someone who is involved in an MLM and sells a product. LulaRoe, Rodan + Fields, Jamberry and Young Living Essential Oils are just a few of the MLMs that moms are flocking to right now. The reason MLM’s work for moms is that you are entirely responsible for when and how much you want to work. If you end up getting other people to sign up under you (usually called a downline), then you not only make a percentage of money off items you sell, but a percentage of the sale anyone in your downline makes as well. MLM’s definitely have a sales edge to them, but you are also free to just market yourself to people you know to make a small side income.

3. Virtual Assistant

If you have administrative or social media skills, becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA) may be a great option for you. Virtual Assistants range from handling simple email replies for a small business owner, to project managers for large companies. The best part of being a virtual assistant is you seek out your own clients, set your own prices and your own hours. There is definitely hard work involved in setting up your services and costs, but the end result is a flexible job that can provide you tons of financial freedom. I highly recommend checking out The Virtual Savvy for tips on getting started in a career as a Virtual Assistant.

4. Social Media Manager or Graphic Designer

Nearly every business operates in the social media world now, and managing it can become overwhelming for a business owner. Even if your skill set is basic, you can make a good side hustle managing social media and Pinterest accounts for bloggers or businesses. Basic graphic design skills using programs like PicMonkey and Canva can also come in handy and are a great added bonus if you seek out a position as a social media manager.

5. Bookkeeper

Bookkeeping is not a job for everyone, but you actually do not need a degree in accounting to work in the field. I learned basic finance in a previous job, and was able to take my skills into a new position as a finance manager of a new church that allowed me to work from home. Depending on the business, your attention to detail and accounting knowledge may be just what a local business is looking for. If you have a willingness to learn, a business may also be willing to train you from scratch!

6. Sell On Etsy

Do you have a talent for crafting or sewing? Maybe you can sell your wares on an online marketplace like Etsy. Tons of moms put their painting, jewelry making and graphic design skills to use and make money through selling online. It’s a great option, especially for digital products that only require you to make the product once, but that can be purchased and dowloaded over and over again. Working smarter, not harder!

7. Become A Coach

Life Coach, health coach or business coach- each of these programs are perfect for stay at home moms. You can obtain certifications through programs online, or work your way up through the ranks of an existing program like Beach Body. You get the satisfaction of helping other people, can set your own hours and use your own social media to help boost your business.

8. Customer Service Representative

If you have school-aged kiddos that are out of the house often, a customer service representative job may be ideal for you. Especially around the holidays, tons of companies hire work-from-home employees to handle customer care concerns. We already know that amazing companies like Williams Sonoma and Amazon have tons of opportunities and often treat their short term and WFH employees to discounts, too. While they may not be permanent jobs, they can help out with side income during the time you spend the most money––the holidays!

9. Transcriptionist

If you have the option to work in peace and quiet, you may want to consider becoming a transcriptionist. These types of jobs require typing ideating at 60 WPM, excellent listening skills, great attention to grammar and spelling and an overall great understanding of the English language. While it may be time-consuming work, if you can plug in at the end of the day, you could have the option for working with podcasters, attorneys or even medical practices.

10. Talk To Your Boss About Working Remotely

If none of these sound appealing to you, and you currently work out of the home, consider talking to your boss about switching to telecommuting (i.e. working remotely). You may be shocked at the types of jobs that can be done from home- and that many bosses are open to this idea. Recent studies have shown that companies are more open to remote employees because they tend to have a higher sense of dedication and appreciation for their job because they are allowed to work in a more productive environment (ie. not a stale cubicle with annoying coworkers). Obviously, if you are an associate at a retail store- this won’t work for you. But if you work in an office setting, why not consider a sit down with the boss? You have nothing to lose!

 

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Career

8 Truths About Work-From-Home Moms You May Not Know

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

I’ve been working from home since the day my daughter was born and I wouldn’t change it for the world. But having spent the last 4.5 years combining my personal and professional life has brought it’s fair share of challenges. One thing I’ve noticed over the years are all the misconceptions about what it’s like to be a work-from-home mom. Some where along the line, people started thinking that I have become Wonder Woman and have gained an extra 10 hours every day to be both the ideal employee and the perfect wife and mother. Working from home is definitely not for everyone, but there are some things you should know if you’re considering switching out of a traditional office job. Here are some honest truths about what it’s really like.

1. My house isn’t always clean.

Moms everywhere agree that having a clean home is a constant battle that we rarely achieve it it’s entirety. And in case you hadn’t noticed, the more time you spend IN your home, the messier it gets from constant use. Working from home is no exception. Unlike cleaning your house and then heading off to the office, working from home means I’m still using the bathroom, kitchen and bonus room to entertain my daughter. It doesn’t mean that I have time to always clean up right away, which usually means my house is in a state of clutter for much of the week. Yes, I’m at home all week. But no, I’m not spending my days cleaning because I’m working!

2. I pretty much never get fully dressed anymore.

One of the perks of working from home means that I don’t have to wake up extra early just to shower, do my hair and makeup and get dressed. I can head to my office in glasses, a bun and PJ’s to get the day started. While that may sound like a dream, it’s turned into a bit of a lazy habit when it comes to personal grooming. Why bother putting on makeup if no one will see me? Why should I get dressed and waste a cute outfit when the only one who’s interacting with me this morning is my 4 year old? Sure, I go through the motions of putting on my clothes and showering, but I definitely don’t put in the effort I used to (unless I have a video conference call!).

3. My daughter watches more TV than I would like.

In a perfect world, I would only work when my daughter is asleep or at school. But because I don’t want to wake up at 3am and I’m not a night owl, I spend time each day working while she’s awake and sometimes while she’s watching TV. No, I don’t let her watch it the entire time I’m working, but yes she does watch several shows a day. We do our best to do puzzles, coloring and other things but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

4. It’s lonely.

I’m an introvert, but I still get lonely working from home. Mostly it’s because work-from-home moms are the forgotten mom. We don’t work at the office, where we have built in colleagues who we can chat with all day. We aren’t full time stay-at-home moms either so we often can’t partake in last minute plans that regular SAHM’s coordinate, or we sometimes get lumped together with working moms and never even get invited. Spending hours each day in front of the computer with no face to face interaction with other people can be hard, and it takes a deliberate effort to get your people fix each day.

5. I still don’t attend every school event or play date.

One of the biggest misconceptions about being a work-from-home mom is that I can now dote on my daughter’s every need and attend every party, play date and school play because I’m not at the office. Sadly, I often have to skip monthly chapels or miss park days because I have work to get done. When my normal office hours get pushed back because of an event we have to go to, I often spend it worrying about how I’m going to get all my work done without staying up until midnight. I’m so thankful that I DO get to participate as much as I do with all my daughter’s activities, but it’s definitely not every single one.

6. Some times I feel like I work all the time.

Most times, it’s a challenge to feel like I can really focus on my work because I’m often getting up to get snacks, dress a Barbie or help put the cap back on a marker. Sometimes I just throw in the towel and vow to come back later. Because of that, I often work in spurts all throughout the day which can be exhausting. I feel like I’m working all day, instead of being able to clock out and be done by 5. It feels like I’m working two full time jobs (mom and employee!) and that I can’t always do my best in either one.

7. I don’t have much free time.

“You must have tons of free time” is a common misconception about working from home. First, let’s be honest and say that NO mom has enough free time, much less one who works. My “free time” is spent doing things that require my house to keep running- grocery shopping, doctors appointments, hitting up the gym so I keep my sanity, and cooking. And because my work is so sporadic some days, I find myself without enough time to even get some of those things done. Free time is relegated to post-bedtime, when I’ve miraculously gotten my work done during the day and can take a bath and read for 15 minutes. ::sigh::

8. I am so thankful.

For all the challenges that working from home brings, it also brings so many joys. I have been able to spend every day with my daughter, and been a part of every milestone. I can stop working to help her finish a puzzle, and take a break to go play outside. We can have mid-day swimming lessons or morning tea parties. I would do anything I could to make sure I get to work from home for the next several years because I know I can never get this time back!

 

Are you a work from home mom? What truths would you add to this list?

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CareerLifestyle

How To Battle The Guilt Of Being A Work-At-Home Mom

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

I say it all the time that I love working from home! But something many work at home moms (WAHM) feel but don’t talk about is excessive guilt. We have a wide-range of responsibilities that we have to handle all at once. Taking care of the children, managing the home, and completing work has to happen all at once. There are no boundary lines that separate our duties — no 9-5 work day that comes to an end. All of our work is done in the fringe hours of our day with kids in our laps and dried food in our hair.

We wake up early to fit work in before our children are begging us for breakfast — they are ALWAYS starving. Then we are interrupted all throughout the day with every little need (or want). It would be unrealistic to send children into the workforce with their parents and think they can get anything done, but yet we expect ourselves to be experts.

Since we aren’t able to show up to give 100% to our family and to our work, how should we battle the guilt we so easily feel?

1. Remind yourself that you are doing your best!

You are no superhero. You cannot be perfect. But you CAN do your best! If your kids are loved and your work gets done in the end, you are doing well. Celebrate that. No one has 200% to offer each day. Do what you can!

2. Separate your work and time being a mom as much as you can.

This sometimes feels impossible, but do your best to set designated times. In the morning before breakfast and after nap time I give my kids complete attention and put the laptop aside. I do the same at bedtime. Eye-contact and direct attention for a few short spurts is better than being half present throughout the entire day.

3. See yourself the way your kids see you.

I guarantee your kids aren’t as hard on you as you are on yourself! In fact, your kids think you are pretty awesome! They see you juggling and balancing like a madwoman. They see the hardworking and nurturing mama wrapped all in one! You have decided to tackle the hard just to be with them, and they feel important! They don’t expect perfection; they just want love!

4. Rest

I believe “rest” is what I feel most guilty about. There is so much to do, so how dare I even think about resting! But this just isn’t true. Guilt is an ugly thing and the cycle of guilt and unrest just makes me show up for my kids and work in the worst ways. To help me get out from under the guilt, I have to make rest a priority — and so should you!

WAHM’s, tell us in the comments how you handle the guilt that comes from working at home!

 

Work-at-home mom guilt

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These 9 Dream Jobs Will Give You A New Lease On Life
Career

These 9 Dream Jobs Will Give You A New Lease On Life

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

Sometimes when I’m sitting in my office chair, clacking away on my computer for the 5th straight hour I start dreaming of more “glamorous” career paths I wish I had taken. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so grateful that I have the amazing opportunity to work from home and be with my daughter. But it’s ok to dream once and awhile and imagine what it would be like to be something else when I grow up…

dream jobs

1. Florist

I always feel happy when I walk into a florist and imagine I’d feel much of the same if I worked there. Not only that, but I get to make other people happy AND I get to be around beautiful things all day long. I can’t think of anything better.

dream jobs

2. Food Photographer

Being any type of photographer would be awesome, but being a FOOD photographer? Sign me up. I love being around food and getting to take pictures of it to make it even more beautiful and appetizing seems like a wonderful way to spend my day.

dream jobs

3. Baker

I’ve seen way too many romantic comedies but I’ve always dreamed of being a baker. The best romances always involve food in the movies and I already have a love affair with food so why not become a baker? I could be around my favorite food group all day (aka BREAD), make beautiful pastries and smell of sugar.

dream jobs

4. Fashion Buyer

You had me at “spending other people’s money.” A fashion buyer gets to decide and purchase clothes, shoes and accessories that will eventually be sold in department stores. They get to visit Fashion Week and spy what’s on the runway to determine trends, and then they buy accordingly. How awesome is that?

dream jobs

5. Sommelier

I’ve always dreamed of either working at a winery or becoming a Sommelier- a professional wine taster. Right now, I don’t know the difference between an aged Merlot from an oak barrel and a bottle of bottom shelf Cab, but I’d love to have a more refined pallet. It would be even more fun to work in a restaurant and help people choose the best wine for their meal and giving them an amazing dinner experience that only wine can bring!

dream jobs

6. Personal Shopper

Ever since Rachel from Friends became a personal shopper at Bloomingdales, I’ve often dreamed of becoming one myself. Getting to be around beautiful clothes, picking them out for (most likely) rich people and then living vicariously through them when they buy them? DONE.

dream jobs

7. Jeweler

Aside from living in fear that your jewelry store might get robbed, being a jeweler sounds like an awesome career. If I could, I’d love to be a diamond expert and help people make their diamond dreams come true with engagement and wedding rings, not to mention all the other fun diamond things like necklaces, earrings and bracelets!

dream jobs

8. Chocolatier

Being a chocolate lover it goes without saying that a career involving my favorite sweet would go over quite nicely! A chocolatier is an expert in the history of chocolate and is also a professional chef who puts their energy into crafting creative food. I would love to spend my days covered in chocolate, wouldn’t you?

dream job

9. Professional Organizer

I know not everyone enjoys cleaning and organizing, but I sure do. It’s always been a dream of mine to help people declutter and live more peaceful lives through a clean and organized home. If I could, I would start my own business and throw away other people’s junk with great satisfaction.

 

dream jobs

Karly Wood

Karly Wood

Editor at Red Tricycle
I'm a born and bred Southern California native and currently the managing editor at Red Tri. I get to share my life with my husband of 13 years and our beautiful, 5-year old daughter. In my free time you'll catch me cheering for the Dodgers, cooking, baking, reading, crafting and probably watching a little HGTV!
Karly Wood

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Career

5 Ways To Involve Your Children In Your Work-From-Home Business

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

I love being a “work from home mom” (WFHM). I feel blessed to have this opportunity–though I know it’s not for everyone! I love my job, but it’s also hard. I often feel like my work and my kids are in conflict with one another. They are both trying to steal my attention for sometimes equally good reasons. Because I care about both, I have made it my goal to weave the two together. Just as much as I want my kids to see me working, I want them to feel a part of what I do as well! After all, that’s one of the huge benefits of working from home; my coworkers are my kids!

Here are 5 ways to involve your children in your WFH business:

1. Set goals

We all have our reasons for working that extend beyond paying our basic bills. Maybe we want to take a family vacation or pay down debt. But our kids have goals too! Ask them what they want and help them “work” for it. Do they want a trip to Disney World? Maybe they want a week of summer camp! Whatever it may be, discuss the entire family’s goals and include them in each decision. Then pay them a small commission for their assistance in your business.

2. Brainstorm

Do you sell products? Your kids can help you brainstorm ideas or names for new products. Do you provide services? Depending on the age of your children, they can help you brainstorm marketing methods. Two heads are better than one, so the more ideas you have, the more you can build on each one! Your kids are creative and resourceful and haven’t developed that self-sabotaging voice that tells adults our ideas aren’t good enough. Kids are a valuable part of the team!

3. Chores

One of the pros of working outside the home is that children are usually in daycare and unable to wreck the house with their endless messes. When working moms come home, they walk into a house that was left the same way as when they walked out that morning. But when you work from home, your kids are tearing up your home left and right. You may be the manager and housekeeper of the home, but your kids can help! Give them a list of age-appropriate chores so that they can take part in working as well. That way, at the end of a long day, you aren’t left alone with a never ending chore list!

A Chore List With Age Appropriate Jobs For Your Kids

4. Assist with running errands.

You probably find yourself running to purchase supplies or going to the post office to deliver products to customers on a weekly basis. Your kids will love taking part in these errands! Tell them what to “shop” for and let them help you find everything on your list! For the younger kids, they will LOVE helping you drop packages into the post office drop-off! Explain to them how your business is run and the importance of them assisting you with your business errands.

5. Work side-by-side

One of the best gifts my children ever received was a toy laptop. They enjoy pulling it out and setting it next to mine to pretend they are working too! My daughter has also learned to write a few letters and gets out her notebook and pen to “work like mommy.” Whatever it looks like for you to work from home, provide child-friendly ways to involve your kids working side-by-side.

Remember, when kids are given a way to take ownership, they are much more supportive and accommodating. Soon you will view your WFHM status in a fun and positive light!

Tell us in the comments, how do YOU involve your children in your work from home business? 

For more WFHM posts, see below:

The 8 Best Tips For Work-From-Home Moms

The Realities Of A Work-From-Home Mom

 

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CareerFamily

The Realities Of A Work-From-Home Mom

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

We hear about the stay-at-home moms and the working moms, but it’s rare we get a glimpse into the realities of a work-from-home mom.

I get asked on a weekly basis how I manage to be a mom and work from home. Through these conversations, I have come to the conclusion that most think two things:

  1. Either I’m some kind of a super mom and have it all together with perfectly well-behaved kids who allow me to quietly work in my office or
  2. These people think my kids are totally neglected — I sit with my nose in a computer and toss a couple cheerios on the floor next to a bowl of water.

I’m pleased to tell you that neither is true.

Here’s the reality:

Work from home mamas are often typing with one hand and wiping noses or problem solving with the other.

They bounce their children on their laps as they work (like I’m doing as I type this).

Remembering to eat is hard because mealtime is about the only consistent time to get work done uninterrupted.

In some ways, working from home is the best of both worlds and the worst of both worlds at the same time. The best is you get to watch your children grow and have flexibility. The worst is that you are literally NEVER off the clock and your attention is rarely 100% on either motherhood or work — it’s split 50-50.

Work-from-home moms are constantly in a place of guilt due to what I just said above. We aren’t able to be fully present 100 percent of the day and feel as if we come up short because we have this crazy hard balance to manage and rarely are we able to do it perfectly.

Here is a little glimpse of what my life looks like working from home…

But here’s the good parts:

We get to rock our babies when they need us.

We can attend the school parties.

We are able to financially contribute and save money on childcare.

Husbands learn to pull their weight because they don’t have a choice. We can’t do it all!

And the list goes on.

You see, stay-at-home moms, work-from-home moms, and working moms all have parts they love and ones they wish they could change. We are all doing our best with whatever situation we choose!

Tell us about your favorite part of being a work-from-home mom!

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5 Ways To Avoid Serious Burnout When You Work From Home
Career

5 Ways To Avoid Serious Burnout When You Work From Home

by Jordyn Smith
written by Jordyn Smith

Having the option to work from home is definitely a privilege. But, it is also one that comes with a lot of added responsibilities. While being able to make your own hours, choose what work you take on, and essentially being your own boss is great. You also have to make sure that you’re constantly holding yourself accountable to a high standard.

Having worked full-time in a more traditional office setting and as a full-time home office worker, I can safely say that one of the biggest complications that come from working at home is the inevitable burnout. While many people fear that working from home will diminish their productivity, what usually happens is often the exact opposite. Too much work, too little off-time, and an impossible amount of stress can leave you mentally exhausted and completely burnt out on work. In an effort to curb this, I have compiled a list of six steps that I take to avoid burnout when working from home.

work space burnout

1. Set Actual Work Hours

Typically, when you’re working in an office you have relatively strict starting and ending times. While there may be times that you have to take your home with you, you can typically expect for your workday to end when you go home for the day. When you work from home, these lines are not so carefully drawn. It can be easy to work sun up to sun down, desperate to get as much done as possible. This is bad for both your mental health and your productivity.

Make a schedule. Even if it has to be adjusted from time to time due to other obligations, your personal work hours should be set. Doing this will ensure that you aren’t spending all of your free time working.

burnout work break

2. Take Plenty Of Breaks

Foregoing your breaks may seem like a good way to get a lot of work done, but it can actually have the opposite effect. Even taking short, 5-10 minute breaks every hour you work can yield a serious boost of productivity. It is important to give your brain a rest and your body a break as often as you can while you work.

burnout work plan

3. Have A Plan For Your Work Week

Feeling overwhelmed is a large part of burnout. While plentiful work means good things for your bank account, it can also mean that your mental health is about to take a decline. A great way to combat this is by making a plan. At the beginning of each week, have a clear understanding of what needs to be done. Schedule out your activities according to your preferences and stick to that plan as much as possible. Knowing exactly what needs to be done and when it needs to be finished will keep a bit of the stress at bay. Switching up your plan every other week or so to change the order of your priorities will keep things exciting. We’ve got some great ways to stay organized as a work from home mom in this article.

work burnout

4. Reward Yourself

Everyone needs to treat themselves every once in a while. Being in a constant state of working without receiving any rewards for the fruits of your labor isn’t good for anyone. Rewarding yourself can be as simple as spending a Monday that you’d normally spend working relaxing on the couch or as big as planning a large family vacation at the end of the year. Even if it’s a special expensive coffee or a couple movie tickets, you have the right to treat yourself when you need it.

work burnout

5. Create A Support System

Never underestimate the importance of having someone to vent to. It doesn’t matter how much you love what you do, at times, there will be things that stress you out, annoy you, and mentally exhaust you. Whether those things are dealing with difficult clients or enduring crippling technical difficulties.

Creating a support system full of people that understand what you’re going through is always important. With them, you will be able to rant, rave, vent, and overall let all of your not-so-pretty feelings out. Having supportive friends or fellow work from home buddies does wonders for keeping burnout at bay.

 

burnout

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How To Transition Your Family To A Single Income
CareerFinancesLifestyle

How To Transition Your Family To A Single Income

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

One of the biggest barriers to being a stay-at-home mom is making it on a single income.

All moms have different opinions or desires when it comes to whether or not they choose to stay at home with their kids, work from home, or work outside of the home! No matter the choice, there is no right or wrong. Mothers are doing what’s best for their families. But this particular post is for mamas who may have been working outside of the home but now find they want to stay home.

We gave advice for the big things to consider about transitioning to a single-income in this post, but we wanted to take it a step further by breaking down the big steps into little ones. Even after you’ve done all the planning ahead and budgeting, you may still find yourself in a difficult spot trying to live off one income.

How To Transition Your Family To A Single Income

Here are a few things you can do:

1. Say “No” to wants and “Yes” to needs.

Wanting things is natural. We are impulsive and see a trendy outfit that’s on sale or we find toys that we know our kids would love. Any mom who walks through the doors of Target can attest to how 95% of Target purchases are based on “wants” instead of “needs.” We go in for batteries and come out with a cart full of tea towels, wall decor, stationary, boots, etc. When you want to make it on a single income, wants are no longer as much of an option. Sure, every now and then you can splurge, but it should be rare. Money is meant to cover “needs.”

2. Shop second-hand.

Most anything that’s not a consumable product can be bought second-hand. Nowadays, there are many online places to buy and sell used goods, and of course, there are thrift stores as well. Before you buy, see if you can find something second-hand. I’ve even known friend groups who swap clothes and home decor on a regular basis to change up their wardrobe and environment. Living in a consumerist nation, most second-hand shops are still full of great quality items because most people don’t keep things long enough to really be considered “used.” You’d be surprised at the quality you can find!

3. Switch grocery stores.

Have you ever shopped at Aldi? When an Aldi store came to my town, my family tried it out right away. My husband and I had a cart full of food and were giddy in the checkout line when the cashier told us the total. We had literally cut our grocery bill in half and had purchased so much more than we ever had! Aldi is super affordable. However, there aren’t as many brand options available. I’m totally okay with that as their food is great! But if you’re a brand junky, you may not have the best luck shopping there. But remember, the brand is just a label and you’re goal now is to save money! Buying the Aldi brand may be just what you need to save more money!

If you don’t believe me, read number one in this article! If you don’t have an Aldi in your area, do your research on grocery brands. Certain stores are known to be more expensive than others, no matter the product, so stay clear!

4. Stream your T.V. shows.

Paying a monthly fee for Netflix and Hulu is a lot cheaper than getting cable or dish. You can stream your favorite shows online and even have a special parental control for your children where they can only login to watch kids shows. What’s even better? You don’t have to wait for certain shows to be on to watch them!

5. Wait for the sale.

I am an online shopper. So something that I do is stay logged into my favorite websites and keep the things in my “cart” that I want/need, but I don’t purchase until I have a promo code of 30% off or more! Those type of codes pop up fairly often, so just don’t let yourself be in a rush. Every now and then I lose something that goes out of stock, but it’s never something I needed anyway. It’s worth waiting for the sale! Also, after several days, sometimes my mind changes on a few items, and I realize I didn’t want them anymore — also saving me money!

6. Cut back on unnecessary monthly expenses.

Go through your bank account and write down every monthly payment you make that’s outside of the basic/necessary budget. You’ll be amazed how many subscription services or monthly activities you are involved in that aren’t necessary. Find other ways to have fun together as a family until you can afford the extra activities. And sacrifice the monthly subscriptions because the stress on your finances isn’t worth it.

Tell us in the comments, what are you doing to help you become a one-income family?

Amanda Foust

Amanda Foust

Amanda is a wife, mother, writer/editor, and certified life coach. Pen and paper make her spirit come alive. She spends her creative time reading, decorating, and handwriting fonts. Her world is better with an assortment of chocolate and a stack of books packed and ready for travel. She works each day to be a creative maker and a light bringer. You can find more of her writing at Downs, Ups & Teacups and TheDailyPositive.com.
Amanda Foust

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