Working From Home with a Toddler

Working from home, being a mom, and doing household chores can be a lot to handle. But nothing is impossible if we have a clear goal before us. It may be pure chaos. It’s about setting priorities.

Having a two-year-old, my house may be pure chaos some days. I may be able to clean the house only on weekends. I may not be the world’s best mom as I make sure I’m a great employee. Because I know the company is not paying for charity, and I have to give ROI to the company as the resource they trust upon.

The guilt, the love, the stress, the endless list of things to do; it’s all mixed together. But somehow, I make it work. People say working from home with a kid hurts productivity, but honestly, mine has gone up.

I even got employee of the month! It’s not easy, and it’s definitely not for everyone, but if you really want to make it work, you find a way.

My Daily Routine

I work remotely as a content writer, which I feel is a blessing in many ways because I can be with my little one. My husband works from the office and is mostly busy, and he is the main financial provider for our family.

So it’s just me and my little one at home. The best part of my job is the flexible timing. Hey, before you think it is easy for me, let me say this — it is everything else but easy.

The pressure, the constant requirement to meet the target, can be exhausting!

Do you feel that I am moving away from my topic? Sorry for that, so back to the topic. How is my schedule as a work from home mom of a toddler?

My usual busy working day starts early ; around 5 or 5:30 AM. My kid wakes up around 4:30 or 6:00 AM.

I start working at 6:00 AM

I work till 8 AM, squeezing in some quick breakfast prep for him in between.

By 8 AM, I start preparing breakfast for my husband while he gets ready for work.

Around 10 AM, I give my kid a bath, we have breakfast, and then I put him to sleep.

My official working hours are from 6 AM to 3 PM, but let’s be honest — I take countless breaks in between to feed my baby, cook, and manage household stuff and hence work till 8–9 PM.

Sometimes, I have to work late at night to finish pending tasks because daytime is filled with baby duties.

The Struggles of Balancing Work and Parenting

The guilt — There are times when I feel like I’m not giving my baby the attention he wants. Even though I’m home, I’m often occupied with my office work (I’m not complaining here, don’t get me wrong). He pulls my hand, asking me to play, and sometimes I just can’t. It hurts. But of course, the moment I finally take a break, that’s exactly when he suddenly feels the urge to poop. Kids, I tell you.

Job security worries — Sometimes, I push myself too hard, afraid that if I seem less productive, my company might think I’m not efficient enough.

The fear of job hunting — If I ever need to switch jobs, I’ll have to invest more time in learning new things, and right now, I just don’t have that kind of time.

Energy drain — Handling multiple roles as a mother, wife, and professional is exhausting. Some days, I just collapse on the bed as soon as my kid sleeps. And let’s not even talk about house chores that keep piling up.

No personal time — Self-care? What’s that? Even my coffee gets cold before I can drink it.

The Best Part of Motherhood

Motherhood is rewarding in every way. No matter how tired or stressed I am, at the end of the day my cutie pie’s hugs with his tiny hands, and innocent smiles make all the hardships I am going through worth it.

And sometimes it is the way he looks at me as if I am his whole world; I don’t have words to explain such priceless moments. It makes all the sleepless nights and long work hours feel like nothing.

Handling Toddler Tantrums & Meal Plans

Yes, my kid does have tantrums. I wait them out. Sometimes, the best way to handle them is to let them pass. If he throws a fit, I stay calm and let him process his emotions.

I believe that as I am giving less attention to his tantrums, he knows that there is no use in throwing them that often. Ha..ha..sorry, my boy. Your mom doesn’t have time for that.

As for food, my toddler eats what I eat (post his second birthday) along with three glasses of milk daily. Our usual schedule:

A slice of toast with jam or butter early morning at 6:30 AM

Three proper meals — often a mix of pasta, grilled vegetables, soups, or salads

Fruits in between (he loves apples and berries!)

Cheese and crackers as snacks in the evening

How We Bond

I dance, sing, and play with him. And when he sleeps, I sing lullabies or tell him little stories. When I cook, I hold him and explain to him how it is being done.

It is fun, even if he doesn’t understand. Those are our special moments.

On weekends, my husband and I (aka his dad) take him to the nearby park, and we play and laugh together.

Dealing with Mom Guilt

Yes, I do feel guilty sometimes afterall I am a normal mom. But I’m doing my best for him even though I may not be doing things as “perfect” as it is supposed to be to others.

One day, when he grows up, I know that he’ll be proud of his mother, knowing that his mother is a strong woman who didn’t leave her dreams behind as she had him.

And for me he is never a burden, but my hope to work more enthusiastically. I believe that being a good mother doesn’t mean being with him 24/7, but making sure he has everything he needs — love, care, and security.

And I have felt that learning to play alone helps improve his imaginative power and creative skills.

Taking Care of Myself

To be honest, self-care is minimal. But on holidays/ weekends, I try to relax by going out, trying new desserts/ dishes, and just chilling with my family.

When I can, I squeeze in some time for exercise or meditation. It helps keep my mind clear. Even if it’s just five minutes of deep breathing while he naps, I take it.

My Advice to Other Working Moms

One thing I’ve learned: Never try to be the perfect mother because you already are the best. Don’t let people’s judgments get to you.

I don’t follow books or parenting apps. I rely on my mother’s advice and my own trial and error. At the end of the day, a mother’s instinct knows what’s best for her child.

Every child is different, and no book can teach you how to raise YOUR baby. Trust yourself.

Final Thoughts

Life as a working mom of a toddler is undoubtedly a tough task. But it’s also filled with beautiful moments. Yes, it’s exhausting. Yes, it’s challenging.

But it’s also full of love, laughter, and above all — a deep sense of purpose. And that makes it all worth it. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is not impossible.

I wrote this because I often find people on the internet saying that it’s impossible for a mom to work while raising a toddler.

But I don’t think that’s true — at least not for certain kinds of jobs like mine, where no life-threatening or mission-critical work is involved. I admit that it’s not a cakewalk. But if you can find the right balance, it is not impossible.

If you’re juggling work and toddlerhood too, I see you. This journey is messy, beautiful, and worth every moment. Follow me for more real stories, tips, and honest talks about remote work and motherhood.