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November 3, 2025

A Fresh Perspective on Balancing Toddlers and Work

Working from home with toddlers has become one of the defining challenges of modern life, one that parents, employers, and teams are still learning to navigate. Most advice repeats the same familiar tips: enforce a strict schedule, wake up early, carve out a “kid corner.” But life with children rarely follows a perfect plan. Instead of striving for an ideal routine, what if the goal is to design systems of trust, clarity, and resilience through structures that help both sides (parents and employers) adapt when the unexpected happens?

Beyond the Illusion of Balance

“Balance” suggests evenness, like two plates in perfect equilibrium. In reality, work and home life with toddlers overlap, collide, and shift minute by minute. A child needs you mid-meeting, nap time ends unexpectedly, a snack emergency arises. The trick isn’t to eliminate chaos but to build around it. For remote-working parents, the aim is to integrate your roles rather than keep them separate. For employers, flexibility should be intentional, not casual, with guardrails, agreements, and predictable expectations.

Trust, Transparency, and Shared Expectations

Trust is the foundation. When parents share their rhythms like when they’re most available, when they’re in focus mode, when they’re more likely to be “on call” for childcare, it builds mutual understanding. Employers can reinforce that trust by being explicit: what does “available” really mean? Which hours are core? When is asynchronous work acceptable? When you redefine performance by outcomes rather than hours logged, you give parents space to manage real life without sacrificing results.

Transparency helps deal with the unexpected. If a toddler interrupts, a short, graceful acknowledgement (“be right back, toddler needs me”) should be seen not as a failure, but as part of remote life when caring for children. That mindset shift can reduce anxiety and prevent hidden stress.

A Stat That Illustrates the Opportunity

Remote work is already changing how much time families spend together. Research based on the American Time Use Survey found that moms who work full-time from home spend, on average, 2.4 more hours per workday with their young children than mothers who work full-time outside the home.

That’s not to say it’s easy as more time awake doesn’t always equate to peaceful, uninterrupted time, but it does show that flexible work arrangements can create real gains in presence, connection, and parental involvement.

Designing Systems, Not Schedules

Rather than relying on sheer willpower or jam-packed routines, systems help you endure. For parents, that might mean defining core overlap hours when you’re reachable for meetings, scheduling deep-focus work during nap times or quiet play, and reserving less demanding tasks for more chaotic moments.

For employers, you can mirror that structure. Put in place communication windows, define what’s “urgent” vs. “asynchronous,” maintain shared calendars where parents post light vs. deep work times, and encourage short “pause permissions”, acknowledging that a parent might occasionally need a few moments off.

Fallback protocols are vital. What if your backup care falls through? What if your toddler wakes early from a nap, or gets sick? Clear, prearranged strategies, whether it’s a rescue hour, a flexible cushion, or a backup care stipend, reduce last-minute panic. That way, both parent and team know there’s a plan instead of scrambling.

Redefining Productivity

The biggest shift in mindset is measuring impact over input. Rather than judging how many hours someone was online, evaluate deliverables, project quality, and results. Many remote-working parents find they do their best work in bursts through early mornings, quiet moments, after bedtime and not in unbroken traditional hours.

When job seekers (especially parents) interview or negotiate roles, it’s okay, even smart, to ask: How does the company track performance? Can I propose a flexible rhythm? Will you accept asynchronous collaboration? These questions signal that you care about results and boundaries rather than just presence.

Empathy as Structure

Empathy isn’t just a soft value, it can be baked into workflows. Toddlers will interrupt. They’ll cry, wander into the frame, or demand snacks mid-demo. When managers treat those moments as expected, not embarrassing, they remove friction and fear. That doesn’t mean lowering standards, it means acknowledging the human behind the work.

Parents, in turn, can embrace that empathy by clearly communicating when they’ll need a break, by apologizing briefly and returning focus, rather than “faking perfect.” The more normalizing interruptions become, the less hidden strain they cause.

When Employers Lead With Support

The companies that succeed in this space design for flexibility. That might mean offering backup childcare benefits, allowing asynchronous work, supporting part-day shifts, or giving care-related stipends. It might also mean modeling vulnerability: when leaders occasionally mention their own disruptions, they destigmatize the reality of parenting.

These structural policies pay off. Mothers say workplace flexibility is not optional. In fact, a McKinsey report found that 38% of mothers with young children say that without flexibility, they would have had to leave or have reduced their hours. When you build flexibility into the DNA of your culture, you retain talent, build loyalty, and reduce burnout.

When Parents Lead With Clarity

You don’t have to hide your needs to prove your dedication. Being explicit about your availability, your preferred communication patterns, and your high-focus windows builds trust. When you say, “I’m available from 10 to 2; between 2 and 4 I’ll check in asynchronously,” your team can plan meetings accordingly.

And yes, your work will sometimes look untraditional. Your child may appear in a meeting. Maybe a call gets shifted because toddler care ran late. That’s okay. What matters is consistency over time, authentic communication, and honoring the agreements you and your team make.

Toward a Culture That Honours All Parts

Balancing toddlers and remote work is about designing a culture that sees flexibility and structure as complementary. Employers who lead with trust, clarity, and empathy set the stage for high performance and inclusion. Parents who speak clearly, plan deliberately, and trust themselves can preserve sanity and presence.

At HireMyMom, we believe remote work works even with tiny humans in tow when both sides build space for real life. And when both employer and parent show each other respect, flexibility, and structure, working from home with toddlers isn’t a compromise, it’s a possibility.

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July 7, 2025

6 Tips to Stay Productive While Juggling Your Kid’s Activities

The benefit of being an entrepreneur is that you get to set your own hours. Of course, there is the old joke that a business owner is the only person who does not want to work forty hours for someone else…so they end up working eighty hours for themselves instead!

This is further complicated if you have kids. Many business owners venture out on their own so that they are able to work around their children’s schedules and spend more time with them — I know, because that is exactly what I did! Over twenty years ago, I started my very own company so that I could work from home with my kids.

Back then, technology was not as sophisticated as it is now. I often found it difficult to juggle my kid’s activities with work; we are a big volleyball family, and looking back, I know if I had the tech we do today, I would have been far more productive with my business. Of course, I still did what I could by bringing along pen and paper to practices so I could jot down ideas or sketch out workflows in the carpool line.

However, there are many more options available to entrepreneurs nowadays. Working as part of a completely remote company, I have a few tips I can pass along on how to manage work and get your kids to all their favorite activities:

1.    Use This Time To Answer Emails

Stuck waiting for kids at camp or doctor’s office? This is the perfect time to answer emails. Schedule your day so that you have a designated time to respond to messages. People will get used to you responding on a certain schedule, and this is something you can easily do from your phone. This also ensures that emails with smaller questions do not distract you from larger tasks while you are at your desk.

2.    Set Up Automations

Remember, work smarter, not harder! If there is something you can set up to do automatically, schedule it to run while you are out of the office. This might look like transferring new form entries from a website to a Google Sheet or importing data into a CRM. If you’re on the design side of things, then this can be a great time to allow images and videos to render or upload while you’re away from your computer.

3.    Download An App And Create Your Schedule

While your kiddo runs around at practice or at camp, you can focus on creating your schedule for the next few days. Get an app that can host your to-do list, and you can work on updating it, or you can even assign tasks to your team. There are some really great systems out there like Todoist or even Asana. If you have a project manager, this is also a great time to look through the schedules they have created for projects to ensure they are on track.

4.    Learn More While On The Road

Use your commute to and from activities to learn more. Listen to a business podcast or download audiobooks from experts. This can help you maximize your time while still making it to your destination. As an entrepreneur, every second counts!

5.    Outsource Tasks Off Your Plate

Remember, you are not in this alone! Even though you want to maximize your time, it is also important to focus on your kiddos. While you might be able to work while your child practices for their sport, you don’t want to miss their actual game or performance. Don’t be afraid to outsource tasks to others whether that is a task for home or for work. 

6.    Take Care Of Yourself Too

Above all else, remember that there is just one you, and your kiddos depend on you. That means it is imperative that you take breaks. Schedule your day around some self-care time, and don’t be afraid to take those much-needed breaks.

With that in mind, I would like to end with a disclaimer. As business owners, we often feel guilty if every second of every day does not seem as productive as it should be. I know that I am often guilty of this. I take a break for a few minutes, and then find myself upset later on that I could have used that time for work.

I know this applies to all that goes into caring for our kids as well. Sitting in the pick-up line at camp or activities can feel frustrating. The whole time, you might be thinking to yourself “I could have finished this project by now” or “I might have gotten ahead of my to-do list if I wasn’t sitting here”. Those thoughts are normal. However, we don’t need to punish ourselves. We are humans too, on top of parents and entrepreneurs.

I want to remind you to take whatever time you need for yourself. You don’t always have to be working. In fact, you don’t even have to be productive with work all the time. If you want to sit in the car and zone out, that’s fine too. That in and of itself is productive because your body and your brain need breaks. With work and kids, being productive does not always look like being busy. Sometimes it looks like having a quiet moment to yourself in your car or just enjoying watching your kiddo practice their favorite activity. Do what works best for you, your schedule, and your family.

If you need help outsourcing some of your work, consider posting the project or role on HireMyMom. You may just find the perfect solution to working smarter, not harder! And if you are looking for activities for your kids, check out our free “50 Easy Kid’s Activities for Busy Moms” download.

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April 28, 2025

4 Innovative Remote Work Hacks for Parents

With children at home, the line between work and family life can blur quickly. It’s important to find innovative ways to maintain productivity without sacrificing family time. With the right strategies, you can successfully work through the demands of both work and family, ensuring that neither is neglected.

Establishing a Flexible Routine

A structured yet flexible daily routine can be a game-changer for remote working parents. Visual planners can be particularly effective. These tools not only help in organizing your day but also provide a way for kids to understand and anticipate the day’s activities. Consider using colorful charts or digital planners that illustrate the schedule with icons or pictures, making it easy for even younger children to follow along. Digital planners in particular are helpful as they often let you share them with the whole family so everyone can stay up-to-date on what is happening.

Involving Kids in Your Work

Assign your children simple tasks related to your work. For example, they can help sort papers, organize office supplies, or even participate in data entry using kid-friendly software. Creating a mini ‘office’ space for them can also be beneficial with age-appropriate tasks. Equip this space with child-safe office supplies like paper, crayons, and stickers, so they feel part of your working world. You can also introduce fun activities such as “pretend meetings” where they get to voice their ideas on imaginary projects. This not only keeps them engaged but also helps them understand the concept of work.

Sharing Responsibilities

Sharing parenting duties with your spouse is essential when working remotely. A clear plan where both partners switch between work and childcare can reduce stress and create a more manageable day. If alternating isn’t possible, consider hiring a part-time helper or babysitter for a few hours each day — if it is an option, you can also reach out to local family members that might want to take the kids for a little bit each day. This arrangement allows you to focus on your work, knowing your children are being well cared for. Another option is to coordinate with other parents in similar situations. Organizing a “childcare swap” where you take turns watching each other’s kids can provide much-needed breaks. Plus, the kids love this because it’s a playdate for them!

Self-Care and Managing Stress

Incorporate short, regular breaks throughout your day to unwind and clear your mind. Simple activities like stretching, breathing exercises, or a quick walk around the block can significantly reduce stress levels. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep and eating balanced meals; proper nutrition and rest are foundational for sustaining energy and focus.

Engage in hobbies or activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it’s reading a book, gardening, or pursuing a creative project, dedicating time to your interests can rejuvenate your spirit. Exercise is another powerful tool for managing stress; even a short daily workout can boost your mood and improve mental clarity.

Connecting with friends or family members, even virtually, can provide emotional support and a sense of community. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed. Lastly, establish boundaries to prevent work from encroaching on personal time. Set specific work hours and stick to them as much as possible. Communicate these boundaries to your employer and family to ensure everyone respects your need for downtime. By prioritizing self-care, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of both work and family life.

Balancing remote work with the demands of family life can feel challenging, but remember that flexibility and creativity are your greatest allies. Embrace the opportunity to integrate your children’s schedules with your own, making room for both productivity and quality family time. Celebrate the small victories and learn from any setbacks, adjusting your strategies as needed. Do you have balancing work and the kids down to a science? We would love to hear your tips on how you do it!

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