I'm looking for tips from work at home moms. What kind of routine do you use to balance chores, kids, & work?

I have a three year old at home with me during the day, and I feel like I'm always shooing him away to get my work done, but it's counter-productive because it makes him even clingier. The hubby and school age kids look at me like I've been eating bon bons all day since the house isn't any cleaner than when they left in the morning. Daycare isn't an option until I'm actually making money with this new endeavor, and kind of defeats the purpose of working at home anyway. I know there is a way to get it all balanced, I just need some guidance and practical advice from someone who's got it going on. Thanks!

Answers:
That really depends on what your job is, but I'll give it my best shot here :-)

First things first. Kids up and dressed, eat breakfast, kids off to school, ect.

Second, get your son situated. Maybe gate off a room and make it "his play room" while you work. Have a small tv in the room and have it on Nick Jr. (or whatever shows he likes) and put a beanbag chair, his favorite toys, ect. in it so he can keep busy but you can keep an eye on him and know where he is. Have him in his "play room" while you are working, and let him out to roam and play while you clean. Have him help you clean as well even if that only means he's putting away a few toys. When you're cleaning, start in one end of the house and work your way to the other. Don't dart back and forth between rooms, just start in one room and get it clean and move on to the next. Another time saver would to start giving the older kids maybe 2 small chores a day (or 3 depending on how old they are). Tell them they have until a certain time (maybe before dinner or before 7 pm) to get it done. After you've gotten a few things clean then you can go back to work again for awhile. Pop in a video for the little one and give him a small snack and he should be good to go.

Anyway, I hope that helped. Good luck and God bless

put them in bed early and stay up late, + work during naptimes.. thats the only way i ever get anything done.

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I'm looking for tips from work at home moms. What kind of routine do you use to balance chores, kids, & work?

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