How do you do it?

[Mrs_Incredible]

How do you keep everything balanced.  I used to be able to work during the day, but for some reason now, I am only able to be productive after everyone is asleep which leads me to many, many, many nights being awake at this hour (it's 3am).  DS2 starts school next year, so I will at least have time for myself, but everything is out of whack. I find myself waking up to take DS1 to school and then coming home and just vegging/playing with my younger son (although to be fair, he's really not getting enough from me because I'm exhausted).  I need to figure out how to better balance being a mom and working from home.  I got so out of practice from not working for a year that this is just getting pathetic!

[sugapie0305]

Maybe just write down the simple tasks/work you could do for an hour while DS2 is content in playing alone for a bit. Then spend time with him and while he is napping, try to do some more work, that way if you do have to work at night, it wouldn't be as much.

All three of my kids are in school now, but before my youngest started school this year, that is what I kind of did. Just made a little schedule for work time, stuff I had to do around the house and spend time with him.

[sarahjones79]

I have my schedule on the calendar.  I work when I have scheduled my work hours, clean during those times, have time with the kids,  keep time open for myself, ect.  I really think it comes down to writing your working hours on the calendar and sticking to it. I have 2 kids of my own and realize that working hours can change at a drop of a hat, but if you have them on the calendar, you are more likely to be working during those hours.  It has really helped me and my business grow!!  Good luck to you!

[ChristinaAtHome]

 My number 1 tip is FLEXIBILITY. Remember that YOU are in charge of YOU!!

A few things that I do:

-Make a to do list the night before
-Wake up earlier than the kids to reflect and write in my gratitude journal
-Phone calls during nap time while its not crazy(I have a 5mth old, 2yr old & 3yr old so it can get kinda loud lol)
-Stress less over the house being spotless
-Use the time that the kids are up and louder to get emails done, FB updated and network online
-I also stay up as late as I have to to make sure that my To-Do list is checked off :)

Everyone's family situation is different so it takes a little tweaking to figure out what works best for you. Good luck girlie and you CAN do it :)

[queenkai]

I am learning to schedule and I am also learning to give my self time limits on task.  When I do my home work I dont' spend more then 1 hour at a time on it and then i take a 15 to 30 break.  when i clean I do so for an hour and then take a break.  This has allowed me to get a lot done during the day and not feeling burnt out at the end of the day.  If I have things that still need attention I will work on them for a set time at the end of the day but I now know that my bed time is set in stone so I have timers going off 30 before and after to remind me that my sleep is what is keeping me going.  I do customer service at home and have 6 kids at home and my day is crazy but with my mini breaks and my time limits my life has gotten a lot better.