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Working from Home with Toddlers: Tips That Actually Help
Introduction
Let’s be real: working from home with toddlers is not for the faint of heart. Between snack demands, diaper changes, sudden meltdowns, and toys scattered everywhere, staying productive can feel like chasing a unicorn.
But it’s possible—with the right mix of flexibility, strategy, and a few well-placed mom hacks. Whether you’re freelancing, running a business, or navigating remote work for your job, this post is packed with real-world tips that help you work smarter, not harder—with toddlers underfoot.
You’ll also find links to helpful Amazon toy finds and an optional planner download to help you create your own balanced routine.
Managing Expectations
Before we get into routines and toy hacks, here’s the mindset shift that made everything easier for me:
You’re not failing if you can’t do it all. You’re adapting.
Working with toddlers means your day may not go as planned. And that’s okay. What matters most is:
Focusing on progress over perfection
Letting go of multitasking guilt
Redefining productivity as getting the most important things done, imperfectly
Some days, work will come in 20-minute bursts. Other days, you’ll feel like Supermom. Be kind to yourself. Toddler years are intense, but temporary.
Daily Routines That Save Sanity
You don’t need a rigid schedule—you need a rhythm.
Here’s a toddler-friendly work-from-home routine that many moms (including me) swear by:
Sample Daily Flow:
7:00 AM – Wake Up + Breakfast
Screen-free time, snuggles, and family breakfast
8:00 AM – Independent Play / Morning Work Block
Set up toys or sensory bin; tackle emails or admin work
10:00 AM – Snack + Outdoor Time
Fresh air resets everyone—great time to take calls with headphones
11:30 AM – Lunch
Prep something simple (toddler bento boxes are a lifesaver)
12:00–2:00 PM – Nap / Quiet Time (Deep Work)
Your power hours—use this time for focused tasks
2:00–4:00 PM – Activities + Flex Work
Alternate screen time with creative activities
4:00 PM – Clean Up + Wrap-Up
Quick tidy-up, review tomorrow’s to-do list
Download my free Work-From-Home Mom Planner to customize your own rhythm.
Toy Rotation (Your Secret Weapon)
If you’ve ever seen your toddler bored with a room full of toys, you know the problem isn’t quantity—it’s overstimulation.
Toy rotation keeps things fresh and interesting by limiting what’s available and cycling it every week or two.
How to Do It:
Choose 4–6 categories (puzzles, pretend play, building blocks, etc.)
Create 3–4 “toy bins” from different combos
Swap them every Monday or Friday
Favorite Toddler Toys That Actually Entertain:
(Amazon affiliate)
Pro tip: Hide a toy for 2 weeks and bring it back—it’s suddenly brand new!
Screen Time Balance (Yes, It’s Okay)
Let’s ditch the screen-time guilt. When used intentionally, screens can be a lifesaver, not a crutch.
Screen Time Tips That Actually Work:
Use it intentionally, not as a last resort meltdown tool
Set expectations: “You can watch an episode while Mommy sends emails.”
Stick to educational or calm shows during work blocks (not high-energy cartoons)
Favorite Toddler-Friendly Shows:
Bluey – Short episodes, relatable family dynamics
Daniel Tiger – Emotional learning + routines
StoryBots – Educational and catchy
Interactive Apps:
Khan Academy Kids
Endless Alphabet
Busy Shapes
Use screen time as a strategic part of your day—not something to feel bad about.
Final Thoughts
Working from home with toddlers isn’t easy—but it is doable. With a few intentional routines, smarter toy strategies, and flexible mindset shifts, you can get your work done and create calm for your kids.
Here’s how to make it work for you:
Pick 2–3 tips to start (like toy rotation + one solid nap work block)
Don’t try to perfect it—just keep adjusting
Celebrate every small win (yes, even finishing one email during snack time!)
Need help building a routine that works?
You’ve got this, Mama. One messy, miraculous day at a time.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I love and use in my own home.
