5 Tips for Working From Home

Tips for Working from Home via Childhood 101

My blog turns five next month and I cannot tell you how thankful I am that I pressed publish on that first post all those years ago. My blog has led to so many wonderful opportunities – overseas trips, PR events, sponsored posts, work as a writer both online and off, even a real paper and ink book! But the most important thing for me is that my blog (and the subsequent paid work opportunities) have afforded me the opportunity to stay home with my girls for much longer than I ever thought possible.

I love the flexibility of working from home but, like all mums, there are days when I manage the juggle of my numerous responsibilities better than others and today I thought I would share five lessons I have learnt during these five years…

1. Find YOUR Balance
For me, finding balance means that whatever else is on, family always comes first. Work comes next in the priority list, and everything else –  extended family, play dates with friends, home and housework, etc –  falls into line somewhere after that. For me the people come first, so if the house is untidy but my daughters have the attention they need right now, then that is okay. Similarly, if I have a deadline then the dishes might have to wait til morning, and that is okay. But this is my balance. I feel that I manage the juggle better when I know my family are taken care of, the paid work is underway and under control, and everything else will happen as it can. Your order of priorities might be very different and that is okay too – what is important is thinking through your priorities and finding peace that you have done what you can on the days when you just can’t do it all.

That being said, I could also never devote as much time to my own work and passions without Dad 101’s help and support. We are very much a team when it comes to our home and family responsibilities 🙂

2. Plan Out Your Routine
Sit down with an old fashioned style week-at-a glance planner (like the timetable you used to have in high school) and mark out blocks of time for all of your major and regular duties and responsibilities, both daily and weekly – getting the kids ready and school drop off, work time, home chores and responsibilities, after school activities, evening routines, date night (I wish!)

Use your completed planner as a guide to each day but remember to be realistic about what you can achieve on any one day, as if your planner is not realistic you have little chance of sticking to it.

3. Log Off and Switch On
Guard your family time and relationships. When it’s not time to work, log off and put away your phone so that you can be truly present with your children and/or your partner. Resist the urge to check Facebook or emails for that time that you have carved out as family time. I also think it is important that meal times are device and screen free so that I am protecting that time to connect with my family.

4. Maintain Your Energy Levels
When you are your own boss and paid sick days are a luxury of the long distant past, it is important to maintain your own physical health and daily energy levels. Get the rest that you need, eat well and stay hydrated to keep energy levels up. If you are struggling to concentrate, take time out for a short walk or a dig in the sandpit or  jump on the trampoline with the kids, getting out in the fresh air can really help you re-focus.

5. Give Yourself a Break
Some days it will just not go to plan – you will have been up all night with sick kids with a morning work deadline looming and these days are hard! My advice is to reflect back on your list of priorities and make a contingency plan for getting through the day, whether that be contacting your client or workplace for a short extension or setting the kids up on the couch with a movie treat while you make an all important call.

Sometimes you just have to say no and there have been times when I have turned down wonderful work opportunities because I simply cannot do everything right now. I trust that if the opportunity is right for me, it will come around again.

Do you work from home around family? What is your number one tip for staying sane and getting through each day?

26 Comments

  1. Lots of wonderful tips. I too work from home and find the balance hard to achieve. Prioritising time for myself is the most difficult. One thing I like to do (I’m sure most mums do too) is cook large meals that leave leftovers for a second night where you don’t need to cook and wash up as much stuff. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  2. Ah I am really feeling that last point this week… no sick leave means that getting sick can really throw a spanner in the works because if I can’t do the work, no one else will either! I really should have a better contingency in place for that!
    Congrats on joining TRG I am sure they will support you to grow your blog and support your family in the best way possible!

    1. Thank you, Kate, you have been such a fabulous support and inspiration since I first started blogging. Couldn’t do it without you 🙂

  3. Christopher Bennett says:

    Awesome blog these tips are very powerful I enjoyed reading this

  4. Thanks for the wonderful tips! Really helps a lot. As much as possible, you should not overwork yourself. Stand up, stretch your legs, enjoy a cup of coffee, or do some walking – whatever you wish to do during your break, go for it.

  5. What a wonderful post and congrats on joining that awesome team!!

  6. Some really great tips here Christie! All things that I had an inkling of myself, but having them reinforced by you, make me realise how important each of them are to do! Thanks!

    1. Thank you, Emma, it really is a constant juggle when working around family, isn’t it?

  7. Just wanted to say congrats on all you’ve achieved Christie. You work hard to bring parents and educators a wonderful, comprehensive resource and you deserve all the rewards that come your way 🙂

    1. Thank you, Jackie, what a lovely thing to say 🙂 Thank you for all of your support along the way x

  8. Great tips. I really need to get my pen and paper planner out and get back to block organising. Also, congratulations on the exciting new chapter for you and Childhood 101. 🙂

    1. Thank you for the congrats, Debs, and for all of the support along the way 🙂

  9. Anamika Agnihotri says:

    Thanks for the wonderful tips 🙂

  10. David Carroll says:

    Hi Christie, thanks for the wonderful tips and congratulations on your 5-year blogging anniversary!
    I think you’re right on the money with planning your schedule and giving yourself a break. When I started my blog, I seemed to be working all hours but in a very disorganised fashion. Once I figured out a schedule, I found my work AND social life improved! Like you, starting a blog has been a game changer for me, so much so that I wrote a guide showing others how to do the same. I’d love if you could check it out and tell me what you think: http://www.winterwisdom.com/blogguide

    Thanks, and may you enjoy another 5 years success!

    1. Thank you for the congrats, David, blogging (and the associated social media) can definitely be all consuming!

  11. I love the idea of the log off and switch on. I often purposefully work in cafes with dodgy internet so I can get some interupted writing done.

  12. Christopher Bennett says:

    Anytime I like to read things that are interesting and your blog was

  13. SUCH a juggle. Sometime I really feel like I’m flying by the seat of my pants 🙂

  14. Sandie @ AppleBee Lane says:

    Love your tips and advice – great for someone like me who hit publish on her first blog post only 2 weeks ago. Hopefully I will still be writing in 5 years time as well!

  15. Some great advice here Christie, thank you so much! I really agree with the last point: giving yourself a break.
    Sometimes if you have been up all night with a child (or spent the night sleeping on their uncomfortable floor) it’s ok to give yourself permission to take a nap in the middle of the day if the opportunity presents itself. I feel so guilty taking a nap but a 20-minute recharge is better than blankly staring at the screen, doing nothing.

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