While it does take a lot of organisation and time management, the following ten hacks will ensure your time is that more efficient.
1. Work in the morning
If possible, get up before your toddler does so that you can fit a good couple of hours into your day before it gets really busy. You’ll be surprised by how more efficiently you work at 5am!
2. Work in the evenings
Free up a good portion of the afternoon by pushing some of your working hours to after your toddler has gone down for the night.
3. Pre-prepare lunches and dinners
Every Saturday or Sunday spend a couple of hours batch cooking and freezing meals for the rest of the week.
4. Schedule work and toddler time
Do try to schedule ‘work’ and ‘toddler’ time into your day so that you are able to give your absolute all to each. It will also make it a lot easier for you to turn off work, which can be difficult when your office is in the house.
5. Write out a chore list
On top of your job and looking after Baby, domestic duties still need to be done. The best way to ensure nothing gets on top of you is to write out a to-do list for the week and tick it off as you complete tasks.
6. Work beside your tot
If you really need to do some work, sit your toddler down beside you with a book and some colours and do some ‘work’ together.
7. Organise your day
On a kitchen wall or in your study/ office organise your day in a way that works for you and your family. If this means each day is different than so be it – variety is the spice of life.
8. Create an office
Even if you only have a small corner to work from do create a special area solely for working. This will create a boundary and make it easier for your tot to know when you are working and when you are free.
9. Get outside
It is so easy to spend all your day inside if you have no reason to get out. To stop this happening schedule in outdoor time for you and your toddler – both of you will reap the rewards.
10. Don’t answer the front door
Just because you are at home people assume that you are up for a cup of tea or a coffee. And while you don’t want to be rude, do make it clear that you are in work mode and reschedule for another day – or don’t answer the door!
