A Mom’sWork-from-Home Survival Guide:

Being a work-from-home mom has its challenges, especially when my husband and I own a business and I care for our children full-time during the summer. I have discovered some invaluable tips and tricks that have made my life easier.

I want to share these strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, fostering independence in my children, and finding balance in this chaotic yet fulfilling journey.

Setting boundaries and communicating with my partner has been essential in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Expressing my needs and discussing what works or doesn’t work ensures understanding and support.

Nurturing independence in my children has been empowering for all of us. I show them how to do it themselves instead of catering to their snack or drink requests. While it can be nerve-wracking and messy at times, teaching self-sufficiency has not only lightened my load but also instilled valuable life skills in my children.

While it can be nervewracking and messy at times, teaching selfsufficiency has not only lightened my load but also instilled valuable life skills in my children.

Prioritizing self-care is crucial amidst a demanding schedule. Incorporating regular workouts and engaging in activities that promote my mental well-being makes me a happier and more present mom. During my children’s screen time, I seize the opportunity to invest in myself.

Creating activity stations around the house that my children can manage independently establishes a productive work environment. Building with magnetic tiles, exploring kinetic sand, and engaging in coloring sessions keep them entertained while I focus on my tasks. Rotating these activities every 15 minutes strikes a balance between holding their attention and my productivity.

Sparking my children’s creativity is a priority. Surprise kits and activities, such as art projects or science experiments, keep them engaged, providing me with uninterrupted work time. Finding affordable toys and items through platforms like Facebook Marketplace helps keep my children active without straining our budget.

Managing expectations and embracing flexibility has brought peace to our family. Not everything falls into a “normal” schedule, and that’s okay. I’ve set up a cleaning schedule into 15-minute chunks where I tackle one or two each day. I may not always complete my tasks at specific times and meal hours may require some flexibility. By releasing the pressure to meet unrealistic standards for us, I have found peace and created a harmonious balance in our family life.

Leveraging support and delegation is essential. My husband and I will split up our three kids so I don’t have all of them home with me all the time. We have tasks they can help with at our shop. For delegation, getting our groceries delivered has been one of the top things to save our time and sanity. l

4 Things Our Calendar Can Do for You!

There is an abundance of seasonal and holiday activities in the area, but it’s hard to find them all in one spot. That is where the “Things to Do” section on the ‘hood website comes in!

Here are four things to know about the ‘hood Events Calendar:

1. Search function! If you want to know if something specific is happening, type in our search bar and hit enter – or use our advanced search function – to find just what you are looking for. You can even tailor your search by age and location to find the perfect outing for your family.

2. Friends or family in town? Find things to do with your guests to allow them to experience our great community.

3. Add in your own events! It may be the ‘hood calendar, but it’s for the community, by the community. If you have something going on that you want our readers to know about, add it to our calendar.

4. Don’t have time to visit our website? Sign up for our newsletter and get our top picks delivered right