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:...

Motherhood is a journey filled with love, laughter, and sometimes, a lot of stress. As moms, we often put our needs last, forgetting that our well-being is the cornerstone of a happy family. Prioritizing self-care doesn’t have to mean hours at the spa or a weekend getaway. Sometimes, all it takes is five minutes. Here are some quick and effective mindfulness practices and self-care tips designed just for you.

1. Mindful Breathing: Your Portable Stress-Relief Tool

What to Do:

• Find a quiet spot, or simply close your eyes wherever you are—even if that means locking yourself in the bathroom for a moment of peace.
• Inhale deeply for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for six counts.
• Repeat for five breaths.

Why It Works: Mindful breathing reduces stress by calming your nervous system, making it a perfect tool to reset your mood anytime, anywhere—yes, even while your kids are reenacting a WWE match on the couch.

2. The Gratitude Pause

What to Do:

• Take a...

Winter Break Survival Guide: Routines, Activities, and Calm Parenting

By Stephanie Greco, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Founder of Stepping Stones Behavior Solutions and Stepping Stones for Successful Parenting

Introduction

Ah, winter break—a magical time of glittering lights, hot cocoa, and ... utter chaos. Let's face it, while this season offers endless opportunities to make memories with your kids, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Disrupted routines, boundless energy, and the infamous cabin fever can make even the most patient parent long for January.

But here's the good news: a little preparation, a splash of structure, and a generous dose of self-care can transform the holidays from "survival mode" to "thriving mode." Together, we can create a winter break filled with connection, fun, and just enough calm to keep everyone sane.

Maintaining Routines During Winter Break

Why Routines Matter

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, both at home and in the...