Working from Home with Kids (Birth-5): Activities, Tips, and Sanity-Saving Self-Care

Working from Home with Kids (Birth-5): Activities, Tips, and Sanity-Saving Self-Care

Hey Mama! Let’s dive into the adventure (and sometimes chaos) of working from home with little ones underfoot. Whether you’re juggling emails with a baby on your hip or trying to finalize a report while refereeing a toddler snack war, you’re doing a lot. Let me help make things a little easier with activities, tools, and sanity-saving tips to keep everyone — including you — happy and productive.

Activities to Keep Your Little Ones Busy While You Work

0-12 Months: Baby Explorers

Babies may be little, but their need for stimulation is big. Here are some activities to keep them happy:

1. Tummy Time Zone:
   Create a colorful, engaging area with a soft blanket and sensory toys like crinkly fabric, mirrors, and rattles.
• Recommended Product: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym — Keeps babies entertained with lights, music, and dangling toys.
• Pro Tip: Rotate toys daily to keep the area exciting.
• Upgrade: Add a water mat or vibrating mat for extra sensory fun.

2. Baby Gym Magic:
   Set up an activity gym for your baby to bat at toys and hear fun sounds.
• Recommended Product: Lovevery Play Gym — Offers developmental activities tailored to each stage.

3. Highchair Art:
   Use edible finger paints or chunky crayons on taped paper for mess-free creativity.
• Recommended Product: Veggie Baby Edible Finger Paints.

4. Soothing Vibes:
   Use a baby swing or rocker with gentle music to keep your baby calm while you take calls.
• Recommended Product: Graco Simple Sway Swing.

5. Musical Lights:
   Baby-safe light globes with soft music can captivate your baby while you work.
• Recommended Product: Munchkin Baby Night Light and Sound Machine.

1-2 Years: Little Adventurers

Toddlers are curious, energetic, and eager to explore. Keep their hands busy and minds engaged.

1. Sensory Bins:
   Fill a shallow bin with materials like dry rice, pasta, or water beads. Add scoops, spoons, and small toys for endless discovery.
• Recommended Product: Kinetic Sand Sandbox Set.

2. Sticker Mania:
   Provide a blank notebook and lots of fun stickers for creative play.
• Recommended Product: Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad.

3. Kitchen Band:
   Hand over wooden spoons, pots, and pans for a rock concert — noisy but effective!
• Upgrade Option: Melissa & Doug Band-in-a-Box for a real music set.

4. Ball Pit Fun:
   A small inflatable pool filled with soft balls can keep your toddler entertained for hours.
• Recommended Product: Eocolz Ball Pit.

5. Cause-and-Effect Toys:
   Toys with buttons, levers, and lights are fascinating for this age.
• Recommended Product: VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker.

3-4 Years: Creative Thinkers

At this age, independent play can start to take off. Let them explore their imagination!

1. Independent Play Kits:
   Create bins with toys like magnetic tiles, LEGO Duplo, or puzzles.
• Recommended Product: Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Set.

2. Art Station:
   Stock washable markers, crayons, glue sticks, and scissors for endless crafting fun.
• Recommended Product: Crayola Inspiration Art Case.

3. Storytime Apps:
   Audiobooks and story apps can entertain your child while you work.
• Recommended App: Epic! — Access thousands of children’s books.

4. Learning Toys:
   Introduce puzzles, building blocks, or learning games.
• Recommended Product: Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles.

5 Years: Imaginative Builders

By age 5, kids enjoy tasks that let them feel “grown-up.”

1. “Office” Roleplay:
   Create a mini desk with paper, stickers, and pretend phones so they can “work” alongside you.
• Recommended Product: Melissa & Doug Wooden Play Office Set.

2. Scavenger Hunts:
   Write a list of household items for them to find — include tasks like putting away toys!

3. Learning Stations:
   Set up a reading nook, a creative corner, and a STEM station.
• Recommended Product: Osmo Genius Starter Kit for iPad.

4. Fort-Building Kits:
   Provide blankets, pillows, and building sets for imaginative play.
• Recommended Product: Crazy Forts Building Kit.

Tips for Juggling Work and Mom Life

1. Create a Flexible Schedule:
   Work in short, focused bursts during naps or independent playtime. Early mornings or post-bedtime hours are golden.

2. Communicate Boundaries:
   Use visual cues like a sign or a fun hat that signals “Mom’s in work mode.”

3. Partner Tag-Team:
   Alternate childcare shifts with your partner for uninterrupted work periods.

4. Prep Ahead:
   Prepare meals, snacks, and activities the night before to ease the day’s chaos.

5. Give Yourself Grace:
   Some days, the balance will tip toward work; other days, toward parenting. Flexibility is key.

Prioritizing Self-Care: You Deserve It, Mama

1. Carve Out “Me Time”:
   Lock the bathroom door if you need 10 minutes of peace with tea or coffee.
• Recommended Product: Yogi Calming Tea.

2. Move Your Body:
   Try quick yoga or a dance party with the kids.
• Recommended Resource: Cosmic Kids Yoga.

3. Celebrate Small Wins:
   Did you survive the day? High-five yourself with chocolate!
• Recommended Treat: Lindt Dark Chocolate Assortment.

Remember: You’re Not Alone

Working from home with kids isn’t easy, but you’re doing something extraordinary. Some days will be smooth sailing; others will feel like a circus. Laugh at the chaos, celebrate the wins, and remember — you’re doing an incredible job.

Hang in there, Supermom. You’ve got this!

To book a free 30 minute Parent Mentoring Consultation or Life Coaching Session with Stephanie, use this link https://calendar.app.google/zq5srnWmunMjPvz68 or reach out via email at [email protected] or [email protected]