5 Work-From-Home Mom Tips That Help Me Stay Sane.

Let me just start by saying: I don’t have it all figured out. I still have days where I feel like I’m doing everything and yet nothing at all. But as a work-from-home mom, I’ve found a few things that make juggling a kid and work a little more manageable.

First of all, I have to acknowledge this because I know this isn’t the case for everyone: I have help! My 2-year-old is in daycare, and my parents help with my 5-month-old whenever possible. My company is also incredibly understanding!

That said, whether you’re replying to emails with a baby in your lap or trying to finish a task before naptime ends, these are 5 tips that have helped me manage real life and work at the same time.

1. Use Schedule Send to Keep Boundaries (and Sleep)

Sometimes the only time I can work is at 8 or 9 p.m. after the kids go to bed. But I don’t want to ping coworkers at odd hours or give the impression I’m always available. That’s where “schedule send” has been a lifesaver.

Whether you’re using email like Gmail or Outlook or a messaging service like Slack, take advantage of delayed messaging so you can keep your coworkers up to speed but still respect their work rhythms and boundaries. No need to announce, “Sorry this is so late”—just send it in the morning. I find that this allows me to send real-time updates, random questions, etc., without disturbing them when they aren’t working.

Related Tool: My Imperfect Weekly Planner includes a spot for my top 3 priorities so I can keep focused, even when I’m working at off hours.

2. Automate Where You Can (Seriously—Even Small Wins Count)

I used to think automation had to mean some complicated system or service. But for me, it can be as simple as:

• Setting grocery pickup or delivery for the same time each week

• Using recurring to-dos in task-tracking apps like Apple Reminders, Notion, or Microsoft To-Do

• Creating saved text snippets - if you have a MacBook, I highly recommend text replacements; check your company’s tools for templates that you can use over and over, too!

• Using smart folders to automatically organize my email inbox so I can prioritize emails when I have a limited amount of time

Start with just one thing that you always repeat—and ask: could this be done once and reused?

Want to reset your workflow? My free Imperfect Reset Kit includes a reflection space to identify what’s working, what’s draining you, and what can wait.

3. Use Voice Dictation to Work Hands-Free

Sometimes I’m rocking a baby. Or nursing. Or both.

That’s when I open a Slack message to myself or the Notes app, Google Docs, and use voice dictation. Is it perfect? Lol, no. But it gets the gist down, and I can always clean it up later.

Bonus: talking things out helps me get to the point faster than when I’m overthinking and typing.

4. Get on a Rhythm (Not the “Perfect” Schedule)

Once naps became more predictable, I started mapping my day around them. This helped everyone, including my team, know when I was most available.

Even if your days are still a bit unpredictable, having a regular rhythm makes it easier to plan pockets of focus time. A flexible routine = fewer surprises and a little more peace.

Need a visual? I use a Laurel Denise Vertical Week + Month, my main planner, to map out work blocks, family tasks, and reminders in one spot. (Use code IMPERFECT10 at checkout if you want to try a Laurel Denise planner - I seriously cannot recommend them enough to add to your planner stack!)

5. Give Yourself Some Grace (You’re Working TWO Full-time Jobs!)

This one might sound cliché, but it’s the most important, I promise.

Working from home with a baby, toddler, or both is not easier than going into the office—it’s just different. We’re constantly switching focuses all day, juggling naptime, stopping to play with a kiddo, meetings, and more.

We’re doing two jobs, and our priorities will shift. That’s okay.

So on the days when all you did was answer one email, keep the kids fed, and survive? That counts too!!

Reminder: Done is better than perfect.

Want Tools That Support Real Life (Not Pressure It)?

I built Imperfectly Planned because I couldn’t find tools that made space for the mess and the magic of working mom life. If you’re figuring things out one nap (or toddler meltdown) at a time, you’re not alone.

🌀 Try The Imperfect Reset Kit - a free guide to help you pause, reflect, and reset when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

🗓 Or grab the Imperfect Weekly Planner or the Imperfect Rhythm if you want space to keep your week together.

Over to You

Do you have any WFHM tips that work for you? I’d love to hear them. Let me know what they are and come say hi on Instagram @plannedimperfectly.

We’re all figuring this out. You don’t have to get it perfect to make progress.