Is Your Work-From Home Mom Battery Dry? We Can Help You Recharge!

Have you been doing the remote work/parenting juggling act all week?  Is your battery completely out of juice? Need some tips to recharge and get back your zip as a work-from-home parent? 

Well, grab your favorite beverage and take yourself off duty for the next 15 minutes or so. Plug into this article and relax. We’ve got some ideas to help you find your balance before the balls start falling. =)

The key is to relax and take real breaks – just like you would if you worked away from home. With your whole life right where you are, that’s even more important. So put up your feet, and take a deep breath. We’re here to help.  

Ask For Help When You Need It

Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be able to do it all, all the time. If you’re trying to thrive as a work-from-home parent, especially with very young or active kids, you’re going to need help sometimes. Otherwise, you’re likely to end up burnt out, overwhelmed, and not able to bring your best to your family or your work. This Instagram work-from-home mom reenactment video is funny, but it’s funny because it’s relatable.

Before things descend into total chaos, ask for help from whoever you have in your life who can support you. That might be your partner, a family member, or a friend. It might even be someone you pay to spend a few hours with your kids so you can set that responsibility down and focus on your work – or maybe even take a break. 

It’s important to be clear on how you’re feeling and what kind of help you need to get those juggling balls back in the air. 

An Example of Recharging with Help from a Support Network

When my homeschooled kids were young, we had a tradition of Daddy Nights. Every Tuesday, my late husband would take them out for several hours so I could have some time off. Sometimes I would take a bath and watch The West Wing or another show I couldn’t focus on when they were home. Other evenings, I’d clean the living room, then just sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy that no one was messing it up. By the time they came home with the week’s groceries, I was recharged and ready to read them bedtime stories. It made it easier to face the rest of the long week ahead.

Having a support network to lean on can make a world of difference, so use yours! And if you don’t have one, look to parenting groups or activities so you can start to build one.

Remember to Nourish Your Body and Mind 

If you’re reading this post looking for tips on how to recharge as a work-from-home parent, it’s not news to you that you’re (probably too) busy. 

And that means you’re more likely to put yourself at the end of your ever-multiplying to-do list… if you’re on it at all. 

But eating well, getting some exercise and sunlight, and sleeping enough are all essential to your health. They’ll also help you manage both your work and your responsibilities to your family. If your basic needs are being met, you’ll be happier and have more energy.

Think of these essentials like putting fuel in your car or charging your phone. Neither can work properly if it runs empty – and neither can you. So, even if you can’t get in daily trips to the gym or manage spa getaways, it’s still important to take good care of yourself.

Try making easy home-cooked meals after a long workday (or setting up your slow cooker while you work!) so you can avoid another night of fast food or greasy pizza delivery. 

Indulge In The Simple Things That Relax You 

What do you love to do? What brings you a sense of joy or peace? Do you enjoy brewing a cup of tea and sipping it while you read a few pages of a book? Would you rather dance to your favorite music? Putter in the garden?

Take the space to do the things you love. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or be complicated.  It might be as simple as adding aromatherapy oils to your self-care routine in the morning or at night. Or maybe you just want a few minutes to watch the sun rise or set. 

Whatever works for you, relaxation matters. None of us was designed to be on alert all the time. Finding ways to soothe yourself and giving yourself the gift of rest will make you more productive in your work-from-home business. And you’ll be a happier, more settled parent, too!

Make Time For Family Fun

Do you spend a lot of time scheduling and managing your family so you can work? Are you constantly feeling guilty for what you’re missing out on?

If you never seem to get to just be with your family, take some small steps to change that. Kids have a wonderful ability to recharge adults with their sense of fun and wonder. Here’s a tip: don’t always interact in the role of “work-from-home parent.” 

It’s okay to just be yourself, having fun with your family!

Set aside some time in your week for family activities. Or just leave room to be together – a snuggle, an extra story, a snowball or pillow fight… the possibilities are endless. Let your kids’ interests lead the way so they’ll be happy to spend this time with you.

If you’re too overwhelmed to come up with any fun things to do, this video can help! There’s even a link to a playlist of other cool ideas. 

Conclusion: Sometimes, You Just Need to Recharge!

Do one or more of these ideas feel like a nice long exhale to you? If so, give them a try!  Whether it’s enlisting some help, getting silly with your kids, or starting a meditation practice, taking some time to revive is essential to your happiness and well-being.

Being a work-from-home parent means you’ll spend a lot of your time juggling your various responsibilities. These tips to recharge can help you keep all the balls up in the air – and have fun doing it!