Working from home with little ones underfoot is less of a balancing act and more of a circus, complete with inexplicable messes and the ever-present threat of a toddler-induced Zoom cameo.
You’re not alone if you’ve ever taken a work call from the linen closet or bribed a preschooler with chocolate buttons just to mute yourself for thirty seconds.
Here’s a stash of battle-tested hacks—equal parts practical and cheeky—for mums juggling the double-shift of paid work and parenting.
1. Embrace the Split Shift
Not every job allows for total flexibility, but where possible, splitting your workday around your kids’ natural rhythms can save your sanity. Early mornings and post-bedtime hours tend to be golden for focused tasks.
Research from the Harvard Business Review suggests that chunking work into smaller, focused periods (instead of one marathon stretch) actually boosts productivity and reduces burnout.
Yes, you might be sending emails at 6 a.m. or reviewing budgets as the clock strikes midnight. Think of it as a new definition of ‘office hours’—and perhaps a good excuse for a second breakfast.
2. Craft Your Kid-Proofed Command Centre
It’s time to get creative with your workspace. If the idea of a Pinterest-worthy home office makes you laugh-cry, you’re not alone. The goal isn’t perfection, just a spot with a door (or a sturdy baby gate).
Even a corner of the lounge room can work wonders if you stock it with adult essentials (laptop, coffee, noise-cancelling headphones) plus a basket of kid distractions.
A rolling cart filled with snacks, puzzles, and a few “meeting time only” toys can buy you precious minutes during calls. Just don’t forget where you hide the chocolate stash.
3. Recruit Tiny Interns
Children love to feel important—and if we’re honest, a bit nosy when it comes to whatever Mum’s doing.
Give them a ‘job’ during your work blocks: let them stamp ‘documents’ (scrap paper), sort pens by colour, or deliver pretend ‘emails’ to their stuffed animals.
The Montessori method encourages children to participate in “real life” tasks, building focus and independence along the way.
Will your reports be colour-coded in crayon? Possibly.
Will you get a ten-minute window to concentrate? Probably. Victory.
4. Master the Art of the Visual Schedule
Kids thrive on routine—and nothing says ‘routine’ like a brightly coloured visual schedule stuck to the fridge.
Use pictures to map out the day (breakfast, playtime, quiet time, Mum’s work time, snack, outside time, etc.). This helps little ones know what’s coming next and when you’ll be available.
Apps such as Choiceworks offer digital visual schedules for families, or you can go old-school with sticky notes and felt-tip pens. Either way, it reduces the “Are you done yet?” queries to a dull roar.
5. The Power of Independent Play Baskets
Here’s the secret weapon of seasoned WFH parents: curated baskets or boxes of toys and activities, only brought out during your work calls or focus periods.
Think: magnetic tiles, sticker books, play dough, or even a new (to them) set of action figures.
Rotating the contents every week keeps things feeling new. Yes, you will need to retrieve a stray Lego from under the sofa later. Worth it for twenty minutes of peace? Every single time.
6. Smart Screen Time (No Guilt Required)
Screen time often gets a bad rap, but strategic use can help smooth the roughest patches.
Schedule video calls or tricky tasks for when your child is absorbed in an educational show or app (BBC’s CBeebies and the Khan Academy Kids app are favourites in many homes).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends co-viewing and discussing content when possible, but there’s no need for guilt if occasionally you channel Peppa Pig so you can finish a spreadsheet.
We’re aiming for real life, not a parenting medal.
7. Set Boundaries With Humor
The “do not disturb” sign is a classic, but for the toddler set, try something more visual and playful.
A red sock on the doorknob means Mum is on a call; a green sock means you’re open for cuddles. Silly hats work too—if you’re wearing your ‘serious work hat,’ it’s time for quiet voices.
Older children can help create the system (and will relish catching you out when you forget your own signals). It’s boundary-setting with a wink.
8. Dinner as a Team Sport
Working from home often means you’re within arm’s reach of the kitchen, but not actually available to cook a three-course meal at 5 p.m.
Involve your kids in meal prep—even little ones can rinse veggies or stir pasta. You’ll get time together, and it ticks another thing off your list.
Batch cooking on quieter days pays off, too. A freezer stocked with ready-to-go meals feels like winning the lottery on a chaotic Thursday. Jamie Oliver’s easy family recipes are a good place to start.
9. Phone a Friend (or Neighbour, or Grandparent)
No one said you have to do it all solo. If you’re lucky enough to have a support network nearby, use it. Perhaps Nana can take the kids for a ‘virtual’ storytime via video chat, or a neighbour can swap playdates for an hour of peace.
Even a quick group text with fellow ‘mum warriors’ can be a lifeline on tough days. Shared misery is half the misery, after all (and sometimes doubles as comedy).
10. Lower the Bar (and Raise a Toast)
Perfection is overrated, and ‘good enough’ is a perfectly respectable parenting philosophy.
Will your house look like it’s been hit by a small tornado at the end of the day? Probably. Will you be both grateful for your job and slightly frazzled from trying to do it all? Almost certainly.
Embrace the chaos. Pour yourself a cuppa (or something stronger). Tomorrow is another day.
When All Else Fails, Laugh
Some days, the hacks work. Other days, the hacks are covered in jam and your Zoom background features a half-naked toddler.
Every parent working from home with kids has been there—promise.
Try one or two of these tricks and see what fits your family’s style. If nothing else, you’ll gather a collection of stories to share at the next coffee morning (or, let’s be honest, in your next WhatsApp rant).
You’ve got this, Mum—even when it feels like you’ve got nothing under control at all.
