[Guest Post] WAHMs: It’s Tough With Toddlers, But These Tips Will Help

Was it around this time last year that we started to hear the little whispers about something called the coronavirus? Wow, I had no idea at the time it would evolve into a worldwide pandemic. So many things have happened and changed…like the use of the acronym WAHM (Work-At-Home-Moms). I would have scratched my head wondering what that acronym was last year.

I fall into the SAHM (Stay-At-Home-Mom) category, but I feel for all you WAHMs. I don’t know how you do it. Today, I have a guest writer, Janice Russell, to give some tips on working from home as a toddler mom.

Here’s a bit about Janice:

Janice Russell believes the only way to survive parenthood is to find the humor in it. She wants every frazzled parent out there to remember that for every kid stuck in a toilet, there’s another one out there somewhere who’s just graced their parents’ walls with some Sharpie artwork! She created Parenting Disasters so that parents would have a go-to resource whenever they needed a laugh, but also to show parents they aren’t alone.

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WAHMs: It’s Tough With Toddlers, But These Tips Will Help

Many of us have been suddenly thrust into the work-at-home world. Few have mastered this new situation, which is complicated by intermittent preschool and daycare closures. As the parent of a toddler, you already know you walk a fine line between productivity and playtime. If you’re still struggling to get things done, read ahead for mom-approved advice.

Streamline dinner time.

It’s almost 100% certain that you are eating more meals at home these days. Unfortunately, while cooking is much better for your health, the cleanup doesn’t make life at home while working with the toddler any easier. However, there are a few ways to reduce your domestic burden. 

Raising Tacoma has touted the benefits of the Instant Pot before, and this should be one kitchen tool you don’t overlook. You can make anything from breakfast to dessert in half the time. To cut down on the number of dishes you wash, invest in divided plates if you have picky children that don’t like their food to touch. Meal prepping and eating leftovers will also reduce the time you spend in the kitchen.

Image from Raising Tacoma Instant Pot Meals post

Advance your education online.

If you are not currently working, now may be a great time to go back to school to begin a career that will allow you to work remotely. One great example is to seek a degree in education. This makes sense for working parents as you can teach virtually while your children are small and then segue into a brick-and-mortar position when they go to school. 

A bachelor's degree is required to become a teacher, and you will also have to pass an entrance exam/skills test, submit your transcripts, and clear a background check. Once the steps are completed, you can apply for a teaching position online.

Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels

Plan ahead.

Planning ahead with young children is difficult. But it’s something that we all have to learn how to do if we need to work while the kids are home. Today’s Parent offers lots of advice on how to keep your family organized and on a schedule, including starting small and making sure everyone is on the same page.

An effective plan includes not only work time but dedicated family time as well. An example of a morning schedule would be to have breakfast with the kids, work for an hour, touch base for 15 minutes to provide snacks, and then work until lunch.

Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels

Yes, nap time is work time.

Most children up to the age of three tend to take at least one long nap right after lunch. Avoid the temptation to clean up sandwich scraps, and use naptime to focus on some of your more taxing issues at work. You can also sneak in a few hours by getting up before the kids. Another 30 minutes or so of work can be bought by having your spouse or partner handle bath time and evening preparations.

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova from Pexels

Outsource when necessary.

As a working parent, it’s easy to get into the belief that you have to tackle every problem on your own. You must get out of this mindset or you will risk being less effective as both a parent and a professional. Don’t be ashamed to outsource some tasks, such as housecleaning, if it means you can focus your attention on your priorities of family and work. You might also consider hiring a homeschooled teenager to keep the littles entertained in the afternoons. Grocery delivery is another service that can help you reclaim a few hours each week.

Working at home with the toddler has never been easy. There is no way to get around all of the challenges, but thankfully, there are ways to sidestep the worst of it. From expediting dinnertime to bringing in a helping hand, there are many innovative ways to make the experience as easy on yourself and your toddler as possible.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels