One of the things I worried about when we learned we were having a second baby was how I was going to juggle working from home and childcare.
Balancing full-time remote work with parenting was already a challenge, and adding a newborn to the mix made it even more complex.
And with the limited space we have in our new house, hiring a stay-in yaya was out of the question.
But a year postpartum, I managed to navigate working from home successfully, even with two kids. So how did I do it?
Finding My Block of Time
In college, our Dean taught us the concept of finding your "block of time." This refers to a dedicated period where you can focus on specific tasks without interruptions.
These time blocks allowed me to work efficiently despite the unpredictability of managing two kids at home. Since my work setup is flexible, I had to be strategic in managing my time:
- Doing deep-focus tasks during "quiet" hours: I tackled my most challenging tasks either early in the morning before everyone was awake or late at night when the house was finally calm.
- Reserving simpler and routine tasks for multitasking moments: During the day, I handled emails, administrative work, and minor tasks while tending to the kids or during short breaks between childcare duties. This allowed me to make progress even when fully focused work wasn’t possible.
Establishing Routines and Fostering Independence with Our Eldest
One of the advantages of our seven-year age gap between the kids is that our eldest was already at an age where we could foster independence:
- Following a set routine: We established a consistent daily schedule to provide structure and predictability. This included designated times for waking up, meals, schoolwork, playtime, and bedtime.
- Establishing independent study habits: One of the key things we instilled in Kitty is a love for learning. As she grew, she naturally developed self-directed learning skills. To encourage her independence, we provided a quiet study space and taught her to manage homework and school work without constant supervision.
- Preparing for the next day: Simple habits, like preparing her school bag, snacks, and outfit the night before, helped minimize morning stress and encouraged a sense of responsibility. She would also independently dress herself for school.
- Assigning household tasks: To enforce the value of contributing to the household, Kitty took on manageable age-appropriate chores. This includes sweeping the floor, tidying up her room and toys, putting away and folding the laundry, and setting the table for meals.
Teamwork with Husband
Having a supportive partner who actively participated in managing our home made all the difference in maintaining a sense of balance and reducing stress for both of us.
We made a conscious effort to create an equal partnership when it came to household responsibilities:
- No gender-based household chores: In this modern age, traditional roles are anything but obsolete. In our household, we divided tasks based on practicality and availability rather than outdated gender norms. Whether it was cooking, cleaning, or childcare, we approached everything as a team.
- Equally dividing the mental load: Managing a household isn’t just about physical chores — it’s also about remembering appointments, planning meals, tracking school activities, and ensuring everyone’s needs are met. We made it a point to share these responsibilities equally, and having a "family calendar" on our phones kept all of us in sync with all the necessary schedules.
- Clean as you go: To prevent clutter and mess from building up, we adopted a "clean as you go" approach. This habit kept our home more manageable, as well as more organized.
Babywearing and Baby-Proofing the House
While it’s impossible to completely separate work and childcare, babywearing was my saving grace in helping me balance both.
With no yaya to help, I had to find a way to keep Liam feel safe and comfortable while still being productive:
- Making the most of naptimes: During the day, I would babywear Liam while he took a nap, allowing me to continue working or doing household chores hands-free.
- Categorizing tasks for babywearing: I learned to distinguish between tasks that I could do while babywearing — such as washing dishes, doing the laundry, preparing meals, ironing clothes, and putting away laundry — and tasks that required me to place Liam in his playpen for safety, such as cooking or mopping the floor.
- Setting up a safe play space for independent play: Once Liam became more mobile, we designated a secure play area with baby-proofed surroundings, soft mats, and engaging toys.
Outsourcing Household Tasks
It truly takes a village to raise children, and with no yaya or family nearby, we had to build our own support system using the resources available to us.
Our "village" consisted of small businesses that help lighten the load of parenting and household management:
- Laundry: While we still personally wash Liam's baby clothes and Kitty's school uniforms, we outsource the rest of our laundry to a laundromat nearby, which conveniently offers free pick up and delivery options.
- Deep cleaning: For daily upkeep, we handle most of the cleaning ourselves. However, for bigger, more labor-intensive tasks — like deep-cleaning the floors, hard-to-reach areas, and the comfort rooms — we hire stay-out cleaners once or twice a week.
- Meals: My husband makes it a point to prepare all our meals for the day before leaving for work each morning. However, on particularly busy days, we don’t hesitate to order food through GrabFood, saving us time on meal prep and cleanup.
Summing It Up: Surviving as a Work-at-Home Mom of Two without a Yaya
Working from home with two kids and no yaya was definitely a challenge, but with the right systems in place, it became manageable.
However, it's important to remember that every household is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Finding what works for you — and being flexible enough to adjust — are key in juggling the many-faceted responsibilities of parenting, work, and household management.
