The WFH Parent Playbook: Balancing Remote Work, Motherhood, and the Daily Chaos

Introduction: The Big Question

Calling all Mothers and Fathers of the future! What’s the first question you ask yourself when you get the big news? For me, I immediately went over what my days would look like.

Thankfully, I had the good fortune of having already secured a remote job—two, in fact—that would allow me to share my time between work and raising my newborn son. For the most part, once we adjusted, it was almost as if nothing had changed. We simply had a new little person along for the ride.

It was magic, and by all accounts, it still is. But, it made me think: What if I didn't have that opportunity a few years ago? And for those who do have that opportunity now, how are they truly coping with being a work-from-home parent? It’s not without its challenges, that’s for sure—and don't even get me started on the toddler years! But how is the life of a WFH parent really? Well, I can only share my experience.

My Transition to Remote Work & Motherhood

My path to becoming a work-from-home mother was a stroke of luck, starting with securing two remote roles before my son arrived. This early transition was crucial. It meant I skipped the stress of navigating a traditional office return while managing a newborn. Instead, I was able to integrate my professional life directly into my family life, which felt like the ultimate flexibility.

The initial phase was surprisingly smooth—as smooth as caring for a newborn can be, anyway! I found that having an established routine (even a loose one) was key. The biggest shift wasn’t the work itself, but the constant, immediate reality of having my son present. It was a beautiful blessing, but also a lesson in multitasking under pressure.

The Morning Rush: A Marathon Before 9 AM

My mornings start early, typically around 7:30 AM. I clock in for work about the same time we wake up. My toddler makes his first demand for the day, asking for a refill on his "baba," and I set a pot of coffee brewing—it’s MUCH needed. My little one sneaks into a secure spot of the house and makes his first “stinky butt” of the day while I let out our mixed-breed pit (who looks like an old man), and I set to reviewing the tasks I need to conquer. Mind you, this is all in less than 30 minutes!

My husband calls on his way back from work for a check-in and to ask what's for breakfast, which is virtually always the same. We say our goodbyes, and I finally set to work on breakfast because, pssh, I've only been up for less than an hour, and I need to take it slow! I get myself ready while the food is cooking. My toddler loves walking around in only his pull-up (if that), so he doesn’t require much time.

I check back in for work, mute myself on any ongoing meetings while continuing to cook, tidy up, and check on emails and updates. By then, Papa is here and ready to take over. 11:00 AM.

Creating a Balanced Routine: The Crucial Afternoon Shift

Now, this is where it gets interesting. My son is a complete Daddy’s boy—and I don’t blame him! Papa is a spitting image of Tarzan in virtually every way, so naturally, my son has transitioned from being a Mama’s boy into his Papa’s shadow.

Once my husband is home, the afternoon becomes my crucial window. It’s fun and break time for them: activities, lunch, and naps. Not for me, but for both my boys. This time is CRUCIAL for me to switch gears. Moms and Dads, take advantage! This is your time to:

• Crunch through more work and power through deadlines.

• Tinker in a hobby or get a kick-start on a personal project.

• Or, if you’re lucky, just take a nap yourself 💤.

The Secret to Balance: Dedicating Time to You

The evening phase involves dinner being made (or prepped), baths being run, and meals being prepped for the next day. Honestly, you’re just trying to wrap up the day so you can go and lay back down in bed. And when it’s all said and done, that’s exactly where you find yourself—snuggled in, feeling exhausted, but accomplished and ready to slumber.

That ending might sound terrible, right? Well, let me tell you why it isn’t. This is where balance truly comes into play. You have to find time to focus on you. This is easier said than done, I know, but it is possible.

For example, when my husband gets home, he forces me to give him 30 seconds every hour or so to simply hug. Because I’m a working machine, this helps me slow down and shed off stress or anxiety.

I’ve also recently acquired the garden bug, so I’ll cut loose by tending to the soil, my not-yet-grown plants, and working on my vision board for the backyard. Or, let’s face it, I’ll sit in my office chair for 15 minutes just scrolling through TikTok for food recipes because cooking is life!

The secret to balancing working remotely and home life isn’t really a secret at all. It’s about dedicating and giving time to those moments that allow you to switch between the two. Don’t let yourself get lost in the chaos. Ground yourself where you can, and make a schedule for carving out personal time.

Well, back to it.

Momsio Lee, outty! xoxo