Christmas is my favorite time of year. Actually, the entire holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year is my favorite time of year. One of the reasons I love the season so much is I give myself permission to kick back and read the best Christmas books.

I thoroughly enjoy a good holiday themed book. Best Christmas books are my favorite. Whether it is a mystery or a fun story from some of my favorite action adventure authors. There is nothing more that I enjoy than curling up with a pile of books, sipping my coffee with the fireplace flickering in the background, and the Christmas lights are twinkling on the tree. This is my perfect Christmas.

Here are some of the best Christmas books. I always appreciate a recommendation from a friends so here are some of my favorite ones from picture books to Christmas books just for mom. You will find something for everyone.

As the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book that captures the magic and warmth of Christmas. Whether you’re looking for a timeless classic or a modern favorite, Christmas books offer a unique way to experience the joy and nostalgia of the season. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best Christmas books for all ages, helping you create new traditions and relive cherished memories.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

7 Best Christmas Books for Mom

1. Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock

This book lives up to all my expectations for a Christmas themed book. The story is a little sad. Without giving away all the details, the sadness fits the story. So it is sad in a way that is reader approved. This is a sweet, easy read.

2. Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon

Any books that whisks me off to Mitford is an automatic favorite. The whole series is perfect for a cozy Christmas time read. Shepherds Abiding is number 8 in the series, and it is specifically about Christmas. This is one of my favorite Christmas books.

3. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

This is my favorite Christmas book. It ends up on my Christmas reading list every year. It makes me laugh so hard. I can appreciate the nostalgia of the story. The feelings of wanting to skip Christmas and ultimately throwing it together make for a hilarious story. This is definitely a don’t miss story. And then watch the movie after.

4. The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

I enjoy Baldacci’s books, well his older ones. His newer stories have been a bit disappointing. I am always a fan of action adventure authors departing from their normal genre to write a story about forgiveness, redemption, and the importance of family which makes it a perfect read for the holiday season. It was also made into a movie, but I’ve never seen it. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story. There is some mild language and some mild adult content in conversations. Nothing graphic, but I wouldn’t read it aloud to my kids.

5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This is the classic Christmas book. Opening up at Christmas time, this story will warm your heart, make you cry, and bring back memories. It is the perfect classic to curl up with in front of the fireplace. And then watch the movie.

6. Hercule Piorot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie

A good cozy mystery is always required for a Christmas read. This one doesn’t disappoint. The queen of the cozy mystery satisfies for the holiday season.

7. Manhattan Murder by Jessica Fletcher

I would live in Cabot Cove, except for the crime rate it would be the perfect place to live. So I enjoy continuing the adventure that I used to watch when I was teenager. If I want a laid back read, this is what I pick. This story takes place in New York City during Christmas. That was always my favorite time of year when we lived there.

7 The Best Christmas Books—Chapter Books for Kids

1. A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

This is a fun read-aloud for tweens and older. It is an origin story for Father Christmas. It is fun and entertaining, but it also has some intense moments too. In the opening, it mentions that the mother died. Later in the book a troll’s head explodes, a young elf is kidnapped, and then Father Christmas’ father sacrifices himself. The scenes were not graphic, but I wanted to mention them.

There are two more books in the series: The Girl Who Saved Christmas and A Mouse Called Mika.

2. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

This would be a fun read aloud. It is a compilation of letters from Father Christmas and his polar bear. It was a very cute story. I think kids will enjoy listening to these silly letters.

3. Magic Treehouse: Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne

All my kids enjoy the Magic Treehouse series. This is a fun, kickback and enjoy hot chocolate in front of the fireplace kind of read.

4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

This is a humorous book that is sure to engage all your kids. Who can resist the antics of the Herdmans? Then their softening towards the Christmas story. Grab some fancy popcorn and watch the movie after the book.

5. Christmas Stories by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I haven’t read this specific title, but I read the series. These books are adapted from the original series. Enjoy visits from friends, special gifts, and beautiful illustrations. Invite your kids to appreciate Christmas of the past.

6. A to Z Mysteries: The Lucky Lottery by Ron Roy

I grabbed this one off the bookshelf and gave it read just for this post. It was a great story for young readers, and I enjoyed it myself. This makes a great read aloud for the holidays.

7. A Nancy Drew Christmas by Carolyn Keene

You already know that I love a good mystery, and Nancy Drew is always a favorite. Enjoy a fun mystery and all the unfortunate events that Nancy encounters.

Bonus Christmas Book: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

While it is not strictly a Christmas book, who can forget puffed sleeves for a Christmas concert. Since Christmas is mentioned and this is a great book, I think it belongs on this list.

10 of the Best Christmas Books—Picture Books

1. Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright

This is a really fun rhyming book about a poor snowman trying not to melt.

2. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

This is one of my favorite classic books, and all of my kids have loved reading it every winter. Add some Snowy Day activity pages, and make it part of your homeschool.

3. The Mitten by Jan Brett

This is a new story I discovered, and it is so much fun. It is great for the littlest readers. There are also The Mitten activity pages.

4. The ABCs Winter Wonderland by Jodie the Mom

I wanted to create a book of my own…so I did. My beta reader loved it too!

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

This is a Christmas favorite we love to read every year.

6. How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace

This popular series is sure deliver on Christmas fun. Follow the story of a mischievous elf as he causes chaos on Christmas Eve.

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz

I am a fan of all things Charlie Brown, and A Charlie Brown Christmas is a must read during the holidays. It is also a must watch.

8. Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parrish

Amelia Bedelia was one of my favorite characters as a child. I love passing on these stories to my kids.

9. Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Nate the Great is always a favorite, and he is on this fun holiday case.

10. Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg

A favorite classic. This is the perfect holiday story to add to your Christmas traditions.

Conclusion: Embrace the Magic of the Season with the Best Christmas Books

These are truly some of the best Christmas books that have the power to evoke the wonder and warmth of the season. Click the links above, grab a few Christmas books, snuggle up by the fire, and let the magic of the season fill your heart.

FAQ: Your Christmas Book Questions Answered

Q: What makes a book a Christmas book?

A: A Christmas book typically revolves around themes of the holiday season, such as family, giving, kindness, and the magic of Christmas. These books often include festive settings, holiday traditions, and heartwarming messages that resonate with the spirit of Christmas.

Q: Can Christmas books be enjoyed year round?

A: Absolutely! While Christmas books are often associated with the holiday season, their messages of love, hope, and generosity are timeless and can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Q: How can I start a Christmas book tradition with my family?

A: You can start a tradition by choosing a special Christmas book to read together each year, creating a book advent calendar, or hosting a holiday book exchange. The key is to make the experience enjoyable and meaningful for everyone involved.

The post 25 Best Christmas Books You Can’t Miss This Holiday Season appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Self-care is a word that I love to hate. Mainly because the Instagram version of it is in conflict with reality. Is there a better way to self-care than what we see on Instagram?

Self-care is a trendy buzzword now, and I am fully aware that it can seem inaccessible for work from home and homeschool moms. We are always busy. Always exhausted. Running on coffee and the most convenient snack we can pull out of the pantry.

But that’s why I like to talk about it. I want to change our social media ideas of self-care and make it very practical for work from home and homeschool moms.

Self-care isn’t reserved only for those who have time, money, or a nanny. True mom self-care isn’t about luxury or escapism (ok maybe this one a little bit), but it is about restoration. Finding your equilibrium in the pockets of your day.

Mom, let’s uncover the self-care secret so you can thrive. 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

Why Busy Moms Need Self-Care

Our greatest assets are our mental and physical health. We need to take care of both of them. Yes, exercise needs to be a part of self-care, even if you don’t like it. And you can create a workout routine at home, it doesn’t need to be expensive. Sometimes we just need a mental-load detox.

As I was setting myself up to work out this morning, the persistent thought running through my head was how much I don’t want to do this. True story. It was so tempting to just not do it. But I know how easy it is to fall out of the habit of working out, and I don’t want to go there. So I put my big girl pants on and did what I needed to do.

Sitting is the new smoking, and I sit a lot all day. It is essential for my physical self-care to workout.

This is what I typically do. On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday I pedal the bike under my desk for an hour. Yes, I close my exercise ring. Then I lift weights for 30 minutes. This is all built into our morning routine.

I also try to walk at least 5,000 steps everyday. I know the goal should be 10,000 but I’m not there yet. So what I can practically do is aim for 5,000 steps. This usually looks like walking two miles on the treadmill (I do wear a weighted vest to give extra oomph). By the end of the day, my step count is usually over 7,000 steps.

Taking care of your physical health will also have a direct impact on your mental health. You know, releasing all those endorphins and stuff. We hear about this every where, so I will skip the details here.

We are Busy—Let’s Just Admit It

In recent years there has been a big push to slow down and remove busyness as a status symbol. While I do agree with this in principle, I have yet to make it a reality.

Yes, there are days where a make an effort to not be busy, but it is a rare day. We are just busy. Between working from home, homeschooling kids, feeding them, writing, podcasting, blogging, and whole bunch of other things I do, I am just busy.

I’ve decided to just admit that I am busy and work with it. I really can’t avoid it because I’ve tried. It isn’t a status symbol for me, it is just my reality, so I need to work with my reality instead of trying to avoid it.

Mom, you are probably busy too. But if you are feeling too busy, then take a look at your to do list and the activities that you are doing. It is easy for homeschool moms to not have enough home in their schedule because of all the things that are available to homeschoolers.

It is possible that you are busy of your own making, but it is also possible that you are busy because you just are busy. It is the season you are in…and that’s ok.

The Secret to Self-Care: Small Pockets in Your Day

The Instagram version of self-care is all day luxury retreats, expensive massages, and lavish vacations. This gets really expensive. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy an occasional massage, but I can’t afford to make it a habit of self-care.

So what is the practical solution for busy moms?

We understand we are busy, and acknowledge that we need self-care. But how do we practically do it at home, without the expense, and make it a habit.

Here’s the secret—small pockets in your day. Take five minutes of fifteen minutes to sit quietly, drink some coffee, read, or whatever you want to do. You can live in the margins of your day. Sometimes self-care will happen in your car as you are waiting for a child.

If self-care is about restoration, then what helps to restore you? Work it into the margins of your day.

Self-Care is More than Massages or Pedicures

I know when we think of self-care as all about the massages and pedicures, but did you know creativity can be the answer for self-care?

Mom, if you want to control your stress, and improve your physical and mental health. Then learn to live creatively, even if you don’t think you are. Living a creative life for your mental self-care

You don’t have to wait to win the lottery, so you can totally give yourself over to creativity. Even though that would be really nice. Creative living can happen right now. Right where you are at. It just takes a few ingredients—courage, permission, persistence, and curiosity.

Taking a moment to disconnect lowers your stress levels, and this is probably the most important thing you can do for your mental self-care. Creativity also fuels your imagination, gets ideas flowing freely, and allows your brain to make connections. This will cause you to come up with better ideas, more creative solutions to problems, and you will be less stressed.

The best part, it doesn’t need to be a whole production and you don’t need to be good at it. Be creative for the simple joy of it. You don’t need to turn it into a business.

5 Ways to Build a Routine of Self-Care

Mom, it is ok to take a break. You need to care for your mental and physical health. Start building self-care into your daily routines.

If you’re stuck on how to create these routines, then check out the Schedule vs Routine Course. It will change your outlook on your entire day.

1. Stack self-care with your daily habits

Attach your self-care habit to something you already do every day.

• Before you get ready in the morning do a workout.
• Go for a walk with all the kids, make it PE.
• Read for 5 minutes after you brush your teeth.
• Here are some books suggestions: Adoring the Dark (it will inspire your creativity; one of the best books I’ve read), The Book Thief (if you love historical fiction), or Emily of the New Moon (if you enjoy a sweet classic).

2. Schedule white space into your week

If you love your to do lists and I definitely do, then you are going to need to avoid to do list overwhelm, and schedule space into your day.

• Block off time each week where nothing is planned.
• Use this time for whatever restores you.
• Reading, journaling, napping, walking, sipping coffee in your rocking chair.

3. Set weekly non-negotiables

Pick one or two things that you will do no matter what.

• Read every week.
• Podcast and a walk (or an audio book)
• Workout three times a week
• Add it to your calendar or to do list

4. Outsource something

Yes, you are allowed to outsource things. Whether it is a homeschool subject you don’t want to teach or hiring your kids in your business.

• Use grocery delivery or pick it up from the store
• Use online homeschool resources like Mr D Math (there is more than math and the classes are great).

5. Make creativity a habit

Creative expression is self-care. Schedule time in your week to write, paint, knit, music, whatever feeds your soul.

• Journal writing or writing prompt journal
• Sketch book and color pencils
• Cozy coloring book and markers

Conclusion: Practical Self-Care for Exhausted Moms

Tiny steps will make a huge impact. Mom, real self-care isn’t about abandoning your responsibilities. It is about finding those pockets in your day for restoration, for enjoyment, and to reduce stress.

How will you add self-care to your day?

FAQ: Self-Care for Exhausted Moms

Q: How much time should I spend on self-care daily?

A: Even 5-10 minutes a few times a day can make a noticeable difference. Focus on consistency over duration.

Q: What if my kids constantly interrupt me?

A: Micro-restorations are designed to be flexible. Choose actions you can do with kids around or during natural pauses in your day.

Q: Isn’t focusing on myself selfish?

We all need to take a break. Caring for yourself models healthy boundaries and emotional well-being for your children.

Q: How can I stay motivated to stick with micro-restorations?

A: Stack self-care with habits and naturally fit them into your normal routines.

Q: What if I miss a day?

A: No guilt. Simply start again the next moment. Self-care isn’t a rigid schedule; it’s a practice of tuning into your needs.

The post The Self-Care Secret Every Exhausted Mom Needs To Know appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Some days feels like chaos as a working at home mom. Even to the point of researching private school tuition and wondering if you should get an office job.

But not every day as a working at home mom should be chaos. Yes, it is fun to laugh and tell stories about it because kids can be completely hilarious. But if your working at home is always feeling chaotic, then it is time to create a plan. Yes, you can transform your chaos into calm.

Being a working at home mom isn’t easy. The line between mom and business professional gets blurry really fast. One minute you are closing a big deal and the next minutes you are answering questions about whether or not hulk wears underwear…you know those important academic questions. Yes, it does get crazy sometimes. And, yes, I have looked up the cost of private school tuition, but even in the middle of the crazy you can thrive.

If I’m honest, most days for us are pretty boring. But boring is good. The crazy is the exception not the rule.

Mom, if you’re juggling work, homeschool, family, and everything in between, then grab your coffee (you need that to conquer the world), let’s tame the chaos, and create a plan for working at home mom.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

Working at Home Mom: The Chaos is Not a Sign of Failure

Mom, some days are going to feel more chaotic then others, but it isn’t a sign of failure. It is part of the mom package, and it can be really fun.

Ditch the Pinterest-perfect days. Wear your pjs all day, heat up the same cup of coffee three times, and embrace the imperfect.

This time with our kids is very short. I know some days feel like 5 years, but it is true—the days are long, but the years are short.

As a mom of young adults to kindergarten, I see this reality every day. The time that we have with them as kids is really limited. It is a very short time frame. Enjoy every moment. Drinking hot coffee is overrated anyway.

Create a Working at Home Mom Routine

But chaos shouldn’t be an everyday thing. So let’s come up with a plan that will help you tame the chaos and take control of your day.

It is rare to almost hear the angels sing. But when I discovered how easy creating routines were, I think I did.

Creating routines are going to help you take control of your day. It is possible to banish the mom mental load and tame the chaos.

Your work from home and homeschool life doesn’t need to be defined by chaos. Mom, you can set your day on autopilot, take the mundane tasks off your mind so you can think creatively, and balance work and homeschool.

It all starts with a routine.

Avoid To Do List Overwhelm as a Working at Home Mom

Your to do list is your life, your memory, and your guide for the day. But sometimes, it can get overwhelming. There’s just too much to do and not enough time. If you want to manage your working at home mom day without the overwhelm, then part of plan is to avoid to do list overwhelm. 

The to do list is like the life-blood of your day. You can’t move or plan without it. At least it is for me. I live by my to do list.

You write it all out so you can see what needs to be done and check those boxes when it does get done. I love that part. The downside of writing it all out is it is visually overwhelming. You want to cry when you see everything that you need to do. But you can avoid to do list overwhelm. Take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and let’s tackle it.

I have seven ways to avoid to do list overwhelm, like ditch SMART goals, create habits, get into the groove of routine, but I am going to give you my number one and most obvious recommendation.

Keep it light. It is impossible to do everything. It is very easy to add everything to your to do list notebook and get overly ambitious.

I’ve been keeping a to do list for so many years, and at this point I have a pretty good idea of what I can handle in a week. Plan a week with what you think you can handle, then evaluate your to do list at the end. Did you accomplish everything? Are you completely exhausted even though you did accomplish it? Make the necessary adjustments. This is all about testing and changing until you find what works for you.

Making Room for Mom Self-Care

I am not talking about massages or expensive retreats. True mom self-care is finding those margins in your day to take a moment for yourself. What do you need today? Is it 15 minutes of quiet while sipping your coffee, or a walk, maybe you need a dance party with your kids, is it journaling, or maybe you just need a creative escape. 

Mom self-care doesn’t require hours of your day. Find the micro-moments to recharge throughout the day. You will probably be surprised. And remember to laugh. It really is good medicine, and when you are having a bad day, it can really help bring you out of it.

What to do When it All Falls Apart (because it will)

You are going to have days that are less than perfect. They might even be total chaos. Kids get sick, and when you have a big family it is usually all at the same time. Puke flying in tandem. And you are still juggling clients.

When everything feels like it is crashing around you, take a deep breath and remember it will get better. All of your days are not like this. Tear and laughter are both allowed in this moment.

Mom, if it isn’t getting better then take a break from everything—clients and schoolwork. One of the benefits of being a working at home mom is we can.

Working at Home Mom: Grace, Grit, and Getting it Done

Being a working at home mom isn’t easy, and it isn’t about finding the balance. It is about finding your rhythm, getting those moments of recovery, and coming through with resilience.

There isn’t a perfect system or routine that will magically erase the chaos. But with a mug of coffee, a plan that fits your life, and the right mindset, you build something meaningful in the mess.

Find your groove as a working at home mom.

FAQ: Working at Home Mom

Q: How do I stay productive with kids around?

A: Focus on small pockets of uninterrupted time, use independent activities, and plan your top 3 priorities the night before.

Q: What’s the best schedule for a work at home mom?

A: Ditch the schedule and create a routine that works for you. Start with a morning routine and build from there.

Q: How can I avoid burnout?

A: Schedule rest. Build in micro-moments of self-care, lower your expectations, and give yourself permission to slow down.

Q: How do I explain to my kids that I need to work?

A: Just tell them. It is ok for your kids to learn patience. Create routines that will form habits of work and school, so your kids will know when you are working.

Q: What if I feel like I’m failing at both work and motherhood?

A: You’re not alone—and you’re not failing. This is hard. Extend yourself grace, simplify where you can, and find your community.

The post Survival Guide for Working at Home Mom: Coffee, Chaos, & a Plan appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

The plans will go off the rails, so you need strategic planning to make a new plan.

In the previous planning strategies post, we talked about making plans and executing them. Now we are going to talk about strategic planning when everything goes off the rails because at some point it will.

Strategic Planning to Accomplish Big Things

In part one, we talked about creating routine to save your sanity and to create a peaceful day. But how do big things fit inside a routine. I want to write a book. Or I want to start a blog. I want to upskill. How do I do all these things?

Once you have your routines down, you will start to notice more time in your day to get these big things done. And did I mention more space in your brain to think about them. Instead of wondering if your kids brushed their teeth and changed their underwear, you will start thinking about how you’re going to kill off the character in your book.

You have space to think more creatively.

We are all unique and wired differently. Whether you are an uber-planner or totally chill, here are my 3 strategic planning tips to get big things done.

1. For big tasks work consistently in small blocks

I hate dragging projects out. Working this way doesn’t come naturally to me. But life is busy, and I don’t have 8 hours to lock myself in a room to finish a project in one go.

If there are large tasks you need to accomplish, then work on them 15-30 minutes every day, which easily becomes a routine. It can be before the kids get up or during naptime. You can accomplish big things in small, consistent blocks of time.

Even though I am not of fan of small, consistent blocks, I do know that is the only way anything is getting done. You can easily fit these small, consistent blocks into any of your routines. And you are still accomplishing your goals, it is just at a slower pace. You know what, we are busy moms, we are raising humans, and they are the most important thing. So a slower pace is ok.

2. Don’t wait until the last minute to get things done

Yes, there are some things that can only be done at the last minute. But don’t wait on everything until the last minute. Get everything you can get done ahead of time and you might even have time to spare.

Waiting until the last minute causes a pile up that become impossible to get out from under. Spread out a big project and determine what can be done in advance and what is a required last minute task.

Do all of your advance tasks ahead of time, and then do only the required last minutes tasks at the last minute.

3. Create a realistic to do list for your week

There are so many things that we need to get done, but plan your week with the time that you have. Unfortunately, time is a limited commodity, so what can you realistically do.

If you are constantly failing at your to do list, maybe your list is too long, and you can only get to a few things every week. Then you aren’t going to look at your list as an accomplishment (you did get half of it done) you are going to see everything that didn’t get done. This is not setting your week up for success.

Since you created your routines, there are parts of your day that just happen on autopilot. Your to do list are add-ons to your week. Depending on the size, pick 3-5 to do every week, and write them down in pencil. You have the freedom to erase as needed.

Strategic Planning for When the Plan Goes Off the Rails

It is important to understand that you aren’t managing time, but managing yourself and how you relate to time. If you are like me, you want to take on the world and conquer it in an hour. As hard as you may try it just isn’t possible, you need at least two hours to conquer the world, after coffee of course. And sometimes your plans go off the rails, even for self-proclaimed gurus.

Your seasons of life are constantly changing, and you will need to change with it. You may find yourself in a season of pregnancy, and you are coping with the first three months of struggling not to fall asleep before lunch. Or you have a newborn that is a Klingon and wants to be held All. The. Time. Or you are adding a kindergarten to your homeschool. There are so many things that can cause your plans to go off the rails and that’s ok.

But ask yourself, if you are the reason the plans are going off the rails. Are you doing any of these things?

1. Excuses

This can go both ways. You can look for excuses not to do something or look for reasons to keep doing it when you really need to take a break. Believe it or not, we do need to take a break from our world conquering.

Are you coming up with all the reasons that you need to keep working on something? There is always just one more thing to do. Or are you avoiding things that need to get done? Let’s face it, not everything you do is pleasant, fun, or fulfilling. Anyone else make excuses to avoid the dishes?

There are a lot of things on your plate, and it is important to figure out the best way to manage all the things for you. This includes giving yourself downtime, or time to be creative, or whatever it is that helps you relax.

Managing your time means managing your workload, your downtime, and family time. Watch out for the excuses to keep working and not taking a break. Or the excuses to play more, when we actually need to finish the project. You are the queen of your schedule, so stop making excuses.

2. All the little things

Mom, it is so easy to look at EVERYTHING that needs to get done and try to do it all at once. Your day is easily sidetracked by seeing everything that needs to get done. Although these are little things they are still important and need to get done. But don’t try to accomplish them all at once because that will leave your energy depleted, and then your time isn’t used effectively. And you are too tired to do anything at all.

3. Paralysis by analysis

It is so easy to fall into the trap of over analysis. Yes, paralysis by analysis is a real thing. Honestly, I would love to keep doing research and take another class, instead of doing what actually needs to be done. There is always one more thing to research or look into that you can keep going and going and going. But you do need to reach a point when you shift gears from research to action. 

You know how it is. Let me look at one more math curriculum. Or take one more marketing class before I launch my business.

Mom, you will never research everything as thoroughly as you like. So make the decision to put action to what you’ve learned. You will probably surprise yourself.

Life is always going to get crazy for us. Depending on the season, so here are some tips when life sends your plan off the rails.

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From Mom Burnout to Bounce Back

We are homeschool moms and work from home moms. We may have busy times, and then there are super busy weeks. Here are my practical tips for the super busyness.

1. Not doing my normal habits

Yes, I have certain things that I do every morning. When things get busy, I delete everything from the morning schedule because I need more time to manage the busyness of the rest of the day.

2. Skip the do list

Usually, I have a really long to do list to start off my week. But during busy weeks chunks of my time are being hijacked by everything else, I am not adding any more to the list, but I am taking things off it.

3. Figuring out easy meals to make

Using my crockpot and making things like tacos or spaghetti are simple to make and kid approved.

There will be weeks that are exceptionally busy with other things that are not normally on the schedule. Instead of freaking out about it, I need to look at it as the exception and not the rule. So I can make exceptions to everything that I normally do for each week that part of strategic planning. During busy weeks my goals and habits are paused for the moment, so I can release some pressure that is on the schedule.

However, if you find that your plan is going off the rails every week, then it is time to make a new plan.

Make a New Plan

There are seasons to everything, and seasons change. Don’t be disappointed if your plan goes off the rails. That is the beauty of working from home and homeschooling, you can make a new plan.

How you accomplish things will depend on your personality. You want to execute your plan in a way that makes your day easier, not more difficult. Finding your equilibrium with anything new is challenging. But once you found your balance, if it is still too difficult, then change it.

Let’s start with making a new plan.

1. Write it down

Write down your to do list and schedule. Whether in a notebook or planner, there are so many benefits to writing down all the things you need to do.

Writing down your to do list or ideas, gives your brain permission to stop thinking about it. Your brain switches from, I need to remember this, to I can stop thinking about it because I know that it is in a place to remind me. Get a fun notebook because nice things help and start writing down all your world conquering ideas and to-dos.

Track your time. This is not something you will do forever, but it is going to give you a clear picture of how you spend your time. Sometimes we just need a bit of clarity in order to plan our days with knowledge. We may think one thing, but does it match reality. Write down how you spend your time in a day, so you can realistically make a plan.

Find the flex time in your schedule and come to terms with the fact that unexpected things happen.

2. One bite at a time

Growing up I am sure you were asked this question, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer, “One bite at a time.” This is the same answer to when you are trying to accomplish everything. Or are overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done. Take a deep breath and start with one bite at a time. You will get more done by consistently working at it every day, then working at large chunks sporadically.

Mom, if you are making a new plan because your other plan went off the rails, then take it one bite at a time.

3. Create habits that you do every day

Habits are a great way to consistently work towards those things you want to accomplish. You can read more on the science behind it in Atomic Habits by James Clear. It is important to know the difference between goals and habits, and how to create habits as the process to accomplish your goals.

You’re going to create these habits with routines. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I scheduled my day. Yes, I followed the conventional wisdom when it comes to setting goals and scheduling my day. All the experts say this was the only way to get things done, so it must work. Right?

The problem with what the experts were saying is kids weren’t really considered in any of these systems. Time blocking, deep work, or other system never consider kids in the picture. Yes, they sound great, and if I actually had the time, I could get things done. But this isn’t my life.

I need a flexible routine that will bend to ambulance rides and fire extinguisher involved science experiments. You know, normal mom stuff.

So what’s a mom to do when the gurus can’t get it right? Be a rebel mom, of course, and forge her own path. That’s what I did with creating routines.

The purpose of routines is to create a flexible framework that still allows you to get stuff done. The benefit of establishing a morning routine is your kids know what to do and you keep your sanity. And they will know what to do without needing constant reminders.

Strategic Planning Next Steps

If you are feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to juggle, and you started hearing the angels sing when we talked about routines, then let’s take a deeper dive on them.

If you want more peace, structure and productivity in your day, then check out my course on routines. Let the power of routines transform your day.

Strategic Planning FAQ

Q: What is strategic planning for homeschool moms?

A: Strategic planning is simply creating a flexible plan for your homeschool, work, home, and goals. It is not about making a perfect schedule that never changes. Because let’s be honest, that schedule does not exist. Strategic planning helps you decide what matters most, what needs to happen next, and how to adjust when life gets crazy.

Q: Why do my plans keep going off the rails?

A: Your plans may be going off the rails because your season of life has changed, your to-do list is too long, or you are trying to fit too much into too little time. Sometimes the problem is not that you need more discipline. Sometimes the problem is that your plan was unrealistic from the beginning. That is fixable. Make a new plan.

Q: How do I get big things done when I only have small pockets of time?

A: Work on big projects in small, consistent blocks. Even 15–30 minutes a day can move a project forward. You may not finish it as quickly as you want, but you will finish it faster than if you keep waiting for a magical eight-hour workday to appear. Spoiler: it probably won’t.

Q: What should I do when I feel overwhelmed by everything on my list?

A: Start by writing everything down. Then pick the few things that actually matter this week. Not everything is urgent, and not everything needs to be done right now. Choose 3–5 realistic tasks and give yourself permission to move things around. Pencil is your friend.

Q: Is it okay to pause habits and goals during a busy week?

A: Yes. Pausing is not failing. During unusually busy weeks, it is okay to simplify your routines, skip the extras, make easy meals, and take things off your list. The key is knowing the difference between an unusually busy week and a plan that is not working anymore.

The post Strategic Planning (Part 2): The Plan Goes Off The Rails, Make A New Plan appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Robert McCloskey’s Make Way for McCloskey: A Robert McCloskey Treasury is a beautiful collection of classic children’s stories that that are perfect for kindergarten read alouds. This treasury brings together some of McCloskey’s most beloved works, including Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine, and more. It is sweet, nostalgic, and full of the kind of storytelling that reminds you why some books stick around for generations.

Little Sal picked three berries and dropped them in her little tin pail…kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk!

Author: Robert McCloskey

Genre: Children’s Literature, Picture Books, Kindergarten Read Alouds

Recommend: Yes!

Overview of Kindergarten Read Alouds

Make Way for McCloskey is a collection of Robert McCloskey’s classic picture books gathered into one volume. It is the kind of book that works beautifully for kindergarten read alouds, homeschool literature, bedtime reading, or simply introducing children to timeless stories.

McCloskey had a gift for capturing ordinary childhood moments and making them feel important. His stories are not loud or overly complicated. Instead, they are gentle, observant, and full of real childhood curiosity. The illustrations are also a major part of the experience. They are detailed, expressive, and filled with movement, but they still have that calm, classic feel that makes you want to linger on the page.

Summary

This treasury includes several of McCloskey’s best-known stories. Make Way for Ducklings follows Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as they search for the perfect place to raise their ducklings in Boston. It is charming, funny, and probably the most famous story in the collection.

Blueberries for Sal, one of my favorite stories that I am always excited to pass on to my kids, tells the story of little Sal and her mother picking blueberries on a hill, while a bear cub and its mother are doing the very same thing nearby. It has just the right amount of suspense for little readers without tipping into anything scary.

One Morning in Maine follows Sal again, this time as she loses her first tooth and experiences the simple adventures of a day in coastal Maine. The story feels slow in the best way. It notices the things children notice: loose teeth, boats, errands, family, and small discoveries.

The treasury also includes more of McCloskey’s work, giving readers a fuller picture of his storytelling style. Across the collection, his books celebrate family, nature, small-town life, and childhood independence.

Key Themes of Make Way for McCloskey

• Childhood Wonder: McCloskey’s stories pay attention to the small moments that matter deeply to children. A lost tooth, a blueberry pail, a family outing, or a group of ducklings crossing the street all become meaningful adventures.
• Family Life: These stories often center around parents and children moving through everyday life together. The family relationships feel steady, warm, and realistic.
• Classic Storytelling: These are not fast-paced modern picture books. They are slower, richer, and more observational. That may take a little adjustment for some children, but it is also exactly why they are worth reading.

Who Should These Kindergarten Read Alouds

Families who enjoy classic children’s literature will love this treasury. It is especially good for parents who want kindergarten read alouds that are gentle, meaningful, and beautifully illustrated.

Homeschool families can easily use this book as part of a literature-rich early elementary curriculum. We used it for kindergarten, and it was a hit. You could pair it with nature study, geography, art, copywork, narration, or simple hands-on activities.

This book is also a good fit for families who want to build a home library with books that will not feel dated in two years. These stories have already proven they can last.

If I was rating this book like a movie, I would give it a G rating. There is nothing concerning in the content. The stories are gentle, wholesome, and family-friendly. It is a safe kindergarten read aloud.

Final Verdict

Make Way for McCloskey: A Robert McCloskey Treasury is a beautiful addition to a family library. It is classic without being boring, gentle without being dull, and nostalgic without feeling pointless. Robert McCloskey had a rare ability to make ordinary childhood moments feel memorable, and this collection showcases that gift well.

If you are looking for a read-aloud that slows everyone down, encourages observation, and gives your children a taste of timeless storytelling, this treasury belongs on your shelf. It is perfect for homeschool families, picture book lovers, and anyone who wants children’s books that feel like a deep breath instead of one more noisy thing in the day.

The post Kindergarten Read Alouds: Make Way For McCloskey appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

I am a homeschool mom of 6, running two businesses, and I am a self-proclaimed productivity guru. With this much going on all the time, it requires planning strategies.

I’ve been homeschooling and working from home for over 10 years now. I’ve homeschooled every single grade, most of them two or three times. In all my years, I’ve come to appreciate how necessary it is to have planning strategies. And they usually look like this: make a plan, execute the plan, the plan goes off the rails, we make a new plan.

This is how life works. We need to make a plan and then adjust as necessary. For smaller families it is easier to make the adjustment. It is like driving a speedboat. You can just turn and head in an different direction. For larger families, it is more like turning a battleship. You need to plan way ahead of the turn and start making it in slow increments.

Regardless of family size, we are moms so we have a lot on our plates. The demands of work and school are a lot. Then add things like people want to eat, every single day. Then you notice every little thing that needs to be fixed or cleaned around the house. After that, you are back to grading schoolwork while planning your clients’ next social media campaign. You need to figure out if you can squeeze in that other activity. You know the one that every homeschool family is doing. And then you are feeding them again.

It is a lot. The only way to really juggle it all is to have a plan, work the plan, the plans go off the rails, and you make a new plan—you know planning strategies. Despite all of this, you can still get things done and crush your goals. It may take a bit more time than you are used to. And you will need to adjust when the plans go off the rails.

Wherever you fit, whether you’re a speedboat or a battleship, I want to give you the practical tools you need for planning and time management. So you diminish the overwhelm, relieve your stress, and enjoy what you do.

This is part one of the planning strategies series: make a plan and execute the plan.

Planning Strategies: Make a Plan

As a busy mom, I wish I had more time in my day. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could wave our magic mom boss wand, and piff, puff, poof, we have more time in our day to get All. The. Things done. You are juggling a lot of mom roles,  and it takes the precision of a tight-rope walker to balance it all.

When you work at home with kids, it adds another layer to juggle. So tight rope walker juggling on a tight rope.

If you are a working and homeschooling, you are already getting a lot done. I’m not sure if we can add any more to that. And we all have the same number of hours, so multiplying time would truly be magical.

Let’s talk about some tools that will help you with your planning strategies. Think of this as a sketch and not an oil painting. It is going to give you an idea of the direction you head in, but you have room to erase any mistakes.

Knowing how to divide your time, organize your tasks, create habits and plan to get things done is the secret sauce for a successful homeschool and work from home mom.

Learning systems and how to manage your time at home is an essential skill to success. Yes, life changes, so these strategies need to bend and change with you.

Before I get into some of the essentials for planning strategies. Let me slay the dragons of time blocking and deep work. Now if these work for you great. I just found I was putting so much pressure on myself to block out chunks of time, and then never really getting anything done. I want to give you a permission slip to ignore the productivity gurus who promote this so hard, if it doesn’t work for you. If it works for you, then keep doing it. But you don’t have to plan your life according to someone else’s recipe.

There is a lot of hype around time blocking and doing deep work. These systems do work in certain circumstances, like is if you have childcare, or your kids aren’t around for large chunks of time. I often tell my husband, “I could get so much done if I had a few hours of uninterrupted time.” That time never comes, so I need to figure out how to still get things done with constant interruptions. And it is possible. It just doesn’t work with time blocking and deep work.

Your Essential Planning Strategies to Make a Plan

These are the tools you need to plan a successful day. Remember, it is a sketch not an oil painting. This is meant to be a guide and not a recipe.

1. Write it down

Did you know that writing things down frees up brain space? Also, using paper and pen helps you to think more creatively.

I like writing with paper and pen because I am more creative. Also, I don’t need to be in front of a screen just to get my thoughts down. Grab a notebook and write down what you need to do.

2. Work and school in the same space

One essential that I always recommend is to have your workspace and school space in the same place. If you can, then work and school together. Yes, this creates a lot of noise. But it is how you stay available to your kids during work hours.

There are times when I’ve taken phone calls in the bathroom or the garage. Those are the quietest places in the house. For the most part, we work and school in the same place.

The kids can ask me questions, and I can keep an eye on their computer screens. They are mostly independent, but if they need me, I am available.

This is probably the most important thing I can do for our work and homeschool.

3. Create routines

After many years of trial and error, I’ve landed on the best way to plan your days, tame the chaos, accomplish goals, and still have flexibility with your day.

The secret is to create routines instead of schedules. Instead of scheduling every minute of your day, and inevitably fail every day. Routines will give you the flexibility you need in your day while still accomplishing colossal tasks.

Planning Strategies for Homeschool

Every homeschool is unique. That is one of the reasons we homeschool. Even the season you’re in is unique, but there are things you can do to plan your unique homeschool.

Our first year of homeschooling was a disaster, and I am a homeschool graduate. I walked into our first year with the confidence of a four-year-old wearing a Batman cape. By the time Christmas rolled around, I really thought I would end up putting them back in school the following year.

But I didn’t. There were things we needed to figure out, grooves we needed to find, and curriculum we needed to dump.

The lesson here is don’t judge your entire homeschool by one bad year. And just know that it is normal, just when I think I have it figured out something changes.

Although your homeschool is unique to you. There are things to keep in mind when your homeschool planning strategies.

1. Learning styles

Understanding learning styles is key to tailoring learning to your child. Part of the reason we homeschool is so our kids can learn at their pace and in their own way. Understanding their learning styles is going help you find the right curriculum and tools.

2. You can change

If something didn’t work for you this year, then change it. I know it is easy  to keep buying what’s familiar. You understand how the curriculum works and your kids do. It’s easy. But if it made you cry (yes, you can cry over curriculum), then change it.

Even if you like something and your kids didn’t, change it.

3. Is high school coming

After planning for 3 high school students and I have 3 more following behind them, I kind of enjoy this process. Is your child going into high school or is he almost there. Do you need to start planning homeschool high school transcripts or figuring out dual enrollment?

You child can start taking high school courses in middle school. If you want to start on some of the credits, then start planning for high school in middle school.

4. Organization

Do you need to change your homeschool space? We are like sardines in our homeschool space. It is just enough room to work, school, and walk. This has changed over the years. We’ve moved desks, rearranged, bought more bookshelves.

Is there something that drove you crazy this past year that you need to change before next year? Or are you adding another child to your homeschool and you need to make space? Now is the time to reorganize your homeschool space.

5. All-in-One curriculum is fine

I’m just going to say it. Sometimes we can be pretty snobby about the curriculum we use. Like I’m a better homeschool mom if I curate all the curriculum each year. Or if I write all the curriculum my kids use, and I shun workbooks.

This isn’t new. Curriculum comparison was around when I was homeschooled. I think we do it because we want to validate that we are doing enough for our kids. That we won’t mess them up. Let’s change this mom and validate each other. We all are have reasons for choosing the curriculum we do for our kids. Let’s encourage each other’s choices. Homeschooling is about schooling on our terms.

However you want to homeschool do it. For work from home and homeschooling moms, being able to open the box and run is one of the best ways to homeschool.

I haven’t always used all in one curricula. I’m a homeschool mom, we need to test drive different styles. I’ve done eclectic, and sat on the floor of our used bookstore searching for book after book, and checking it off the list. Meticulously putting each subject together. The planning for homeschooling like this is a major time suck. Especially, with six kids. I spent so much time looking for curriculum. Although, I liked having a valid reason to go to the bookstore a lot. But part of balancing working and homeschooling for me is using an all in one homeschool curriculum.

Mom, if that works for you, then do it.

Planning Strategies: Execute the Plan

Now that you made a plan, you actually need to execute the plan. It doesn’t do anyone any good if it sits in your pretty notebook taunting you.

So how do you actually structure your day to get everything done? You create routines. Routines have been the secret weapon to get this battleship running at optimal levels. I think I heard the angels sing when I finally figured this out. Yes, mom, even self-proclaimed productivity gurus need to figure things out.

Many people have told me, “You are so organized. I don’t know how you stay so organized with everything on your plate.” Mom, I am going to let you in on a secret. I’m not organized so I can be a self-proclaimed guru, I am organized because it is the only way I can keep my sanity. If things weren’t organized, we would definitely be going off the rails every day. And the one tool that gets me there is creating routines.

Routines will help you create habits, and these habits are essential to accomplishing all your stuff. We have a lot of mundane tasks that take up space in our brains. When you create routines that turn into habits your brain also starts to do them without thinking about it. So, you free up brain space. And we all can use some more brain space.

Routines also sets clear expectations with your kids, so they know what to do and what comes next.

Here are 5 routines to create, so you keep your sanity, and your kids know what to do.

1. Morning routine

Creating morning routines for you and your kids will set the tone for your entire day. Having a good morning routine is essential to creating a day that runs on autopilot.

Ensuring that your kids have a morning routine will also eliminate the need to nag. I mean constantly remind them of what they need to be doing.

2. Workout routine

Your physical and mental health are your greatest assets. It is also the two things we put on the back burner and hope we get to it…someday.

Create a workout that you will actually do consistently and that you can build on. It is possible to work, homeschool, and work out at home.

I incorporated a lot of movement at my desk. I’ve had a bike under and now I’ve upgraded to a walking pad. I am accomplishing two things at one time—work and working out.

3. School routine

Your kids should have a school routine as well. There is a lot of freedom in homeschooling. So find what gives you the most freedom while still learning, and doesn’t cause you frustration.

One thing that works for us is nothing else can be done until schoolwork is finished. The kids are free to do their subjects in the order they like. They can also take as many breaks as they want. But fun stuff doesn’t happen until schoolwork is finished. This is a great motivator to get it done because there is a lot of fun stuff they want to do.

4. Work routine

Yes, you need a routine to manage your clients and your tasks. This will also help set boundaries for your office hours too.

I get up before my kids so I can work on my blog. Then I start on client work. This helps me to feel like I have a head start on the day. I also end work about the same time every day.

5. Evening routine

You need to wind down, your kids want to eat…again, and you need to spend time together. Create an evening routine that helps you do all this and prepare for the next day.

One thing we try to do every night is eat dinner together. Now that the kids are older and working, we might have one missing from the dinner table. And my youngest is very offended by this. She looks around the table, asks where the missing brother is, and then announces, “We need to eat dinner as a family.” This time at the table is probably the most important for everyone. We share, we talk, and we are all together.

It helps us process the events of our day, share what’s going on, and connect with each other. It is too easy for everyone to head in different directions. The dinner table anchors us all back to the things that are most important.

If creating routines is a new idea, then just pick one to start with. You don’t need to change everything all at once. Start small.

Conclusion: Planning Strategies for Moms Who Need to Get Things Done

Planning strategies are not about creating a perfect day. The goal is to create a flexible plan that helps you move through your day with more confidence and less chaos.

The best planning strategies are the ones that actually work for your real life. Start small. Write things down. Create routines. Build habits. Adjust when something is not working. If your current system makes you feel like you are failing every day, then change the system. You are not here to serve your planner. Your planner is here to serve you.

Mom, you can get things done. You can homeschool your kids, work from home, run your business, manage your house, and still keep your sanity. It may not look polished. It may not look like the productivity gurus promised. But it can work.

So grab your notebook, make the plan, work the plan, and when it goes off the rails, take a deep breath and make a new one. Then check out Strategic Planning (Part 2): The Plan Goes Off the Rails, Make a New Plan.

FAQ: Planning Strategies for Work From Home and Homeschool Moms

Q: What are the best planning strategies for busy moms?

A: The best planning strategies are the ones that give you structure without locking you into a rigid schedule. Write things down, create routines, keep your work and homeschool space practical, and build habits that make your day easier. You do not need a perfect planner or a color-coded system that looks like it belongs on Pinterest. You need a plan that works when the kids need help, the client emails, and someone asks what is for dinner again.

Q: How do I make a plan when my day is constantly interrupted?

A: Start with routines instead of strict schedules. A schedule tells you exactly when something should happen, but a routine gives you a flexible order for your day. This helps you keep moving even when your day gets interrupted. And if you are a mom, it will get interrupted. That is not negative thinking. That is just Tuesday.

Q: Why do routines work better than schedules for homeschool moms?

A: Routines work better because they bend with real life. Homeschooling and working from home require flexibility. A routine helps your kids know what to do next without needing you to repeat yourself every five minutes. It also frees up mental space because you are not constantly making the same decisions over and over again.

Q: How do I execute the plan instead of just writing it down?

A: Keep the plan simple enough that you can actually follow it. A beautiful notebook full of impossible expectations will not help you. Pick the most important things, build them into your routine, and start there. You can always add more later, but if you start with too much, you will burn out before the plan has a chance to work.

Q: How do planning strategies help with mom overwhelm?

A: Planning strategies help because they take all the floating thoughts out of your head and give them a place to land. When everything lives in your brain, it feels heavier than it really is. Writing things down, creating routines, and setting clear expectations helps you stop carrying every detail by memory. And honestly, mom brain does not need one more thing to remember.

Q: How do I keep my kids on track with school while I work?

A: Give them a clear school routine and expectations they can follow. Let them know what needs to be completed, where their schoolwork is, and what they should do when they finish. As they get older, they can become more independent. This does not happen overnight, but it is worth building because it helps your homeschool run without you micromanaging every subject.

Q: What is the most important planning strategy for work from home moms?

A: Create routines that protect your sanity. A good routine helps your day run with less nagging, fewer decisions, and more direction. It will not make your day perfect, but it will help you know what comes next. And sometimes knowing what comes next is the difference between getting things done and staring at your coffee wondering where the day went.

The post Planning Strategies (Part 1): Make A Plan And Execute The Plan appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Working moms from home, do you feel like the to do list is never ending. You finally get to check a project off this list, just to add three more to it. It can feel overwhelming and never ending.

What is the secret to mastering time management for working moms from home?

I started 2025 a little different than normal. I was actually looking for the reset button a week into the new year, but that is more details than we have space for right now. Usually, I take January to plan my year, and I know the formula that works to get all the things done. This year I wanted to narrow my focus a bit more.

This is not an easy task for me. A friend once asked me if my brain ever turns off. The answer was no. It never stops churning, and it can be exhausting. As 2025 approached, I decided I wanted to do the hard work and focus more. But opportunity pounded on my door, and I needed to open it.

This left me feeling very overwhelmed by my bursting to do list. But I just needed to take a deep breath and tell myself, “One step at a time.” Focus on the important stuff, right now, not on the important stuff that was coming up.

Mom, these are exciting opportunities, and I love the fact that I can juggle all of this from the comfort of my home. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t overwhelming at times. Working moms from home need to make an effort to not blur the lines between work, home, and school because it creates a never ending cycle of tasks.

Understanding how to manage your time effectively and knowing when to draw the line is crucial for maintain both productivity and sanity for working moms from home.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

The Challenge of Working Moms from Home

Mom, it is challenging juggling work, home, and school. As working moms from home, I think there are more challenges we face because we see all the things that need to be done around the house. The kids need our attention, and we are still working with clients.

It is a lot.

But I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’ve spent years working in an office while my kids were in daycare or school. That is not something that I ever want to go back to. So while being a working mom in an office comes with its challenges, and being a working mom from home presents its own unique challenges. I’ve chosen my hard, and I am ever grateful that I can be home with my kids in my work from home mom job.

Although, I’ve chosen my hard, I still want to juggle everything well. I want to manage my time well, manage my clients well, and be with my kids well.

That means we need to manage our time well as working moms from home.

The Emotional Toll of Doing it All as a Working Mom from Home

The pressure to balance everything—from deadlines to dinner prep—is exhausting. It can leave us feeling drained, burned out, and inadequate. Doing it all usually doesn’t happen. Although, we do try really hard.

The first step to a more manageable routine and better time management as working moms from home is understanding that no one can do it all.

My January looked a lot different this year because I needed to take things off my list. There were things I was determined to finish and accomplish, but when opportunity came pounding on my door I needed to make room for it. That means I needed to eliminate things from the list.

If you want to enjoy your life and use your working from home as tool to that enjoyment, then you might need to eliminate things from your to do list. And that’s ok. Our priority as working moms from home is our kids. Once they are at the top of the to do list, everything else falls into place or is removed from the list.

Good time management requires knowing what you need to take off this list as well as leave on it.

Embracing Limitations as Working Moms from Home

In order to create balance as working moms from home, we need to understand our limitations. It is impossible to do it all.

Even for your homeschool there are limitations. I use all in one curriculum because piecing everything together takes too much time. This is a limitation, but there is a solution to it and that is all in one curriculum. I don’t use curriculum that places a heavy emphasis on being parent-led. I use curriculum that is designed for the students to be independent.

Let go of the idea that you need to be involved in every subject. We homeschool for the flexibility and to tailor learning for each child. I can still do that with all in one curriculum and understanding my limitations.

What are your limitations? What can you realistically do in a day? Are there days where you need to plan easy meals?

Your May Also Like:

Hello Moms: My Story from Corporate Workhorse to Momtrepreneur

Time Management for Moms Who Work from Home

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How to Set Personal Boundaries for a Better Work Life Balance

5 Steps to Master Time Management as Working Moms from Home

Time management for working moms from home is really about understanding what’s important to you and eliminating those things that aren’t. You can’t do it all. There are limitations to your time, so let’s start managing it effectively to improve your productivity, gain a sense of control, and enjoy your life.

1. Identify your priorities

What are your non-negotiables? List the things in a notebook that are most important to you. Create categories for clients, business, and homeschooling. Or the categories that make the most sense to you. Under those categories list everything that comes to mind.

Rate your list from 1-10. One being the least important and ten being the most important. Pick your top 3 on work on those.

Whether you do this for the year, month, or week. It is important to see what is most important to you right now, and work on those. If they are large projects, then focus on one instead of three. Work your way through your priorities, and then more to the next ones.

2. Determine what can fit into the margins

There are so many things you can fit into the margin of your day. Maximize your margins. Sitting in the car picking up a kid from work, bring a book along. Or bring a notebook to write down your to do list or start a blog post.

There are certain things that require time and focus. Those are your priorities. But, then, there are other things that can get done in 5-10 minutes. Or you can at least make progress on them in 5-10 minutes. Need to read a 10 page report, bring along as your brush your teeth and read it.

Identify those things that are still important but can be done in short spurts of time. Maximize the margins of your day.

3. Set boundaries

Working moms from home, if we are going to juggle it all then you need to set personal boundaries with clients, with kids, with expectations, and so on. This is the only way you will be able to get things done.

It is ok to set deadlines that work for you with your clients. As long as you are clear with what you can realistically do, clients will be ok with it too. Also, it is ok to tell your young son, who just realized that he can read, that he can only read you 3 books instead of 5. And it is ok to take a project off your list, or to push it down the list because you just don’t have time. Yes, I know it is a brilliant idea, but you may need to set boundaries on your expectations.

4. Create a realistic routine

I know I say this a lot because it was such a game-changer for me, but you need to create realistic routines. It is amazing how creating a routine will change the tone of your home, and the brain space it frees up for you.

If you aren’t sure where to start, then start with a morning routine.

5. Have office hours

Yes, you need to have office hours. If we are working moms from home, then this is a must. State it clearly in your freelancer contract and then stick to it.

For example, I only work Monday–Thursday. That means if I get a phone call on Friday, I don’t answer it. Now, there may be things that pop up very, very rarely, and I will make exceptions for those rare occasions. Things happen. But the clients that I work with are great and respect my time limitations. So office hours aren’t an issue.

You also need office hours for yourself. It is important that you stop working. It is very easy to keeping going because there is always one more thing to do. Write it down in a notebook, and then hang up the closed sign. Or just turn your computer off and walk away from your desk.

Conclusion: Working Moms from Home Find Your Rhythm

It is possible to live your impossible dream of working from home and homeschooling. That doesn’t mean it will be easy, but it is totally possible. It just requires figuring out what works for you and your family and understanding your limitations. Working moms from home set realistic routines, focus on the things that really matter, and set clear boundaries. You will rock this working moms from home journey.

Mom, sometimes we can feel like islands as working moms from home. Having a support system can make all the difference in balancing work and family. That’s why I want to personally invite you to join the Rebel Moms Club, this is the working moms from home community that you’ve been looking for.

FAQ: Time Management for Working Moms from Home

Q: How can I manage time with a baby or toddler at home?

A: Flexible schedules, nap-time productivity, and babywearing can be lifesavers. Use moments of quiet to tackle high-priority tasks.

Q: What if my job has unpredictable demands?

A: Build buffer time into your schedule and communicate openly with your clients about your availability.

Q: Is it okay to let my kids watch TV while I work?

A: Absolutely! Screen time can be a helpful tool when used in moderation. Choose educational or age-appropriate content to make it more beneficial.

Q: What’s the best way to transition between work and mom mode?

A: Create a ritual—like a short walk or a cup of tea—to signal the end of work and the beginning of family time. This helps you mentally shift gears.

The post Working Moms From Home: The Secret To Mastering Time Management appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Have you been a highly motivated person, and then suddenly your motivation is gone?

What do you do when motivation is suddenly gone?

Yes, it can happen. And it is something that I do not like. I’ve been struggling with a lack of motivation for some time now. I haven’t diagnosed it, yet. But going from a highly motivated person to almost zero motivation has been a serious struggle, and, honestly, I hate that feeling. I’m not motivated to read, or to do my class assignments, or to even work on my business.

So what do we do when we find ourselves without motivation? Things still need to get done. The books need to be read, the assignments need to get done, and the business needs to be built. Is it even possible to get big things accomplished without motivation? Asking for a friend.

As a work from home and homeschool mom, we can’t build our lives on motivation alone. Motivation is nice when it shows up, but it is not reliable enough to carry your family, your homeschool, your business, your house, your meals, your goals, and your sanity. That is too much pressure for a feeling.

What moms need is not more will power. We need systems. When motivation is gone, systems will get you through to the next step.

And the irony is, I am doing everything in my power to avoid writing this because I am so not motivated to do it. And now that I’ve finally stopped putting around to avoid writing, let’s get into it.

Why Motivation Feels So Powerful at First

Motivation is powerful because it gives you a burst of energy. You feel like the impossible is possible. There is inspiration. You see yourself in an aspirational light. Whether that is being a mom boss bringing in seven-figures. Or a homesteading homeschool mom. You imagine yourself in the best possible way. Motivation is a fulfiller of dreams.

That version sounds lovely. I would like to meet her.

The problem is motivation usually comes when the pressure is low. You are thinking about the new routine while sitting quietly with coffee. You are planning the homeschool year when no one is crying over fractions. You are setting business goals when your inbox is calm. You are deciding to get healthy while wearing stretchy pants and feeling hopeful.

But then real life starts asking questions.

Can motivation survive a sick kid, a missed deadline, a co-op morning, a toddler meltdown, a grocery pickup at the wrong location, and a teen who suddenly needs to talk about something important at 10:47 p.m.? Usually not. Motivation can only take you so far. It is usually to ignite the spark of an idea.

The Motivation Problem for Moms

The biggest problem with motivation is that it assumes your day belongs to you. Or that your attention is singularly focused.

That is adorable.

If you are a mom, your day does not fully belong to you. You may own pieces of it. You may get a quiet hour here or a focused 20 minutes there. But your day is full of people with needs, questions, emotions, snacks, missing socks, and dramatic announcements that they are starving even though they ate 14 minutes ago. And I wouldn’t change this for anything.

But I still want to be productive and see if my brilliant idea is actually, well, brilliant.

This is why so many productivity systems fall apart for moms. They are often built around uninterrupted time, predictable energy, and the assumption that you can simply decide what to do and then do it. That may work beautifully for someone alone in a quiet office. But for the mom working from home while homeschooling, the situation is different.

You need a system that bends.

You need something flexible enough to survive interruptions but structured enough to keep you moving forward. You need something that does not require you to feel inspired every morning. Because, let’s be honest, some mornings your biggest accomplishment is not saying what you are thinking before coffee.

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Motivation and Will Power Are Not the Same as Discipline

Recently, we had a long discussion in our house about the difference between motivated people and highly motivated people. After much wrestling over semantics, we reached the consensus that there is a difference between motivated people and highly motivated people. That difference comes down to discipline.

We know a lot of people who are motivated by a great idea, but yet they are unable to follow through on it. But it is the highly motivated individual that will see the idea through to the finish line. The difference between these two people is discipline. 

Now, before we throw motivation into the trash completely, let’s be clear. Motivation is not bad. It can be helpful. It can get you started. It can give you the emotional boost you need to try something new.

But motivation is not discipline.

Discipline is doing the thing because it matters, not because you feel like it. Like writing this post instead of putting around. Systems help you practice discipline without needing to drag yourself uphill every day by sheer will power. A good system removes some of the decisions. It lowers the friction. It makes the next step obvious.

That matters because moms make too many decisions already. We decide what everyone eats, when school starts, what curriculum to use, whether the toddler’s cough is normal or suspicious, who needs new shoes (I need to go get them), when to schedule appointments, what client work matters most, and whether the smell in the laundry room is survivable.

By the end of the day, deciding whether to work on your goal can feel impossible. Not because you are lazy. Not because you lack character. Because your brain has already run a marathon in flip-flops.

Where motivation stops, discipline needs to take over.

Why Moms Need Systems Instead of More Motivation

A system is simply a repeated way of doing something. It is a process that helps you move forward even when you are tired, distracted, or not feeling particularly inspired.

And moms need systems because systems reduce the mental load.

When your kids know the morning routine, you do not have to say the same thing 47 times before breakfast. When you have a simple weekly to-do list, you do not have to wake up and reinvent the day. When you have a meal plan, even a very basic one, you do not have to stare into the fridge at 5:00 p.m. hoping dinner reveals itself like a prophecy. I really hope it does for tonight, though.

Systems are not about becoming rigid. They are about creating freedom.

A system gives you a flexible framework. It tells your brain, “This is what we do next.” And when your brain is tired, that is a gift.

Motivation Fades, But Habits Keep Going

One of the best systems you can build is a habit. Habits are powerful because they become automatic over time. You do not have to think as much. You just do the thing because it has become part of your normal rhythm.

This is why habits work better than dramatic declarations.

These are not flashy. No one is making an inspirational reel about wiping counters after lunch. But these small habits add up. They quietly carry the weight that motivation drops.

And that is the magic. You need a repeatable process that helps you keep going.

Create a System with Routines

Routines are one of the best systems for moms because they are structured without being suffocating. A schedule says, this must happen at exactly 8:00. A routine says, this happens after that.

That difference matters.

A routine allows for the baby needing extra snuggles, the teen needing help, the toddler having a meltdown, or mom needing another cup of coffee because the first one disappeared somewhere between phonics and client emails.

Start with a morning routine because mornings set the tone for the day. This does not need to be complicated. In fact, please do not make it complicated. Complicated systems are where good intentions go to die.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is fewer decisions and fewer reminders.

Use a To-Do List as a System

Your to-do list can either be your best friend or a bully with bullet points.

If your to-do list has 43 items on it, it is not a plan. It is an emotional attack. No wonder you feel overwhelmed. You are looking at a list that no reasonable human could complete, especially one who is also raising children and running a business. As my husband reminds me on a daily basis.

Instead, use your to-do list as a system.

Start with a brain dump. Write down everything floating around in your head. Get it out. Your brain is not meant to be a junk drawer. Once it is on paper, sort it.

What must happen today? What can wait? What can be delegated? What can be deleted entirely?

Then pick your top three. These are the most important things that will move the day forward. Not the only things you will do, but the things that matter most.

This gives your motivation direction. Instead of waking up and trying to feel inspired by a giant list, you know exactly where to start.

That matters.

Give Yourself Grace Without Letting Yourself Quit

There is a difference between grace and excuses.

Grace says, today was hard. I need to adjust. Excuses say, today was hard, so I am done forever.

Moms need grace because life is unpredictable. Kids get sick. Babies do not sleep. Teens need emotional support at inconvenient times. Business problems pop up. Homeschool plans fall apart. Some days really are no good very bad days, and you need to take a break.

But grace should help you keep going, not give you a reason to quit.

This is why systems matter so much. When life knocks you off track, a system gives you a place to return. You do not have to start over from scratch. You just step back into the routine, the habit, the list, or the process.

You are not failing because you had a bad day. You are only in trouble if your entire plan depends on never having one.

Conclusion: Motivation Is Nice, But Systems Save Your Sanity

Mom, motivation is not enough. It never was.

You are not struggling because you are lazy. You are not behind because you lack will power. You are carrying a lot, and you need systems that support the life you actually live. Motivation may help you start, but systems help you keep going when the coffee is cold, the toddler is loud, the homeschool lesson is sideways, and your inbox is giving you attitude.

So stop waiting to feel motivated. Build the routine. Create the habit. Simplify the to-do list. Set up the environment. Make the next step obvious.

You do not need to become a different person to make progress. You need a better system.

And honestly, that is good news. Because if success depended on feeling motivated every day, we would all be in trouble by Wednesday.

Are you ready to start transforming your day? Get the course (that is quick and easy) to help you build routines. I promise you will thank me.

FAQ: Motivation for Moms

Q: Why is motivation not enough for moms?

A: Motivation is not enough because mom life is full of interruptions, decisions, and unpredictable needs. You may feel motivated at the beginning, but that feeling fades when real life gets loud. Systems help you keep going even when you do not feel inspired.

Q: What is the best motivation system for busy moms?

A: The best motivation system is one that fits your real life. For many moms, that means simple routines, short to-do lists, habit stacking, and clear expectations for the kids. The goal is to reduce decisions and make the next step easy.

Q: How do routines help with motivation?

A: Routines help because they remove the need to decide what comes next. When your day has a repeated rhythm, you can move through tasks with less mental effort. This frees up brain space and helps you stay consistent.

Q: What should I do when I lose motivation for homeschooling?

A: Go back to your why, but also check your system. Are your expectations realistic? Is the curriculum working? Are you trying to recreate public school at home? Sometimes lost motivation is a sign that your homeschool routine needs adjusting.

Q: Can habits replace motivation?

A: Habits can carry you when motivation fades. Once a behavior becomes part of your routine, you do not need to feel excited about it every time. You simply do it because it is part of the rhythm of your day.

Q: What is one small system I can start today?

A: Start with a top three to do list. Write down everything in your head, then choose the three most important tasks for the day. This gives your brain direction and helps you focus without feeling buried under a giant list.

The post When Motivation Dies But The To Do List Lives On appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

Let’s talk about the thing we don’t want to talk about, staying fit working from home.

There is enough on your plate. Staying fit or getting in shape is usually the last on your to do list. Even when you have the convenience of work out routines at home, it still seems like an impossible task. How to stay fit while working from home? Is it possible?

There is so much that demands your attention, and if you add one more thing to your plate you might just break it. Working from home is hard. Homeschooling kids is hard. Add them together and you have a special kind of chaos. Working from home with kids is exhausting. You are juggling a lot throughout the day. Busy mom fitness tends to get put on the back burner.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keeps things free for you, and who doesn’t love free stuff. For more information, see my disclosures.

Then there are all the temptations lurking around every corner. The pantry beckons you to indulge, the fridge cries out for attention, and the couch calls you to rest. It is hard to fit in work out routines at home, even those that promise only 30 minutes per day.

But your mental and physical health are your two biggest assets in life and in business. You need to take care of both. 

Why You Need Work Out Routines at Home

Some people prefer to go to the gym and work out. The act of taking the time to drive there solidifies the commitment to exercise. I’m not one of those people. If my body is going to shake like a bowl full of jelly, then I want to do it in the comfort of my own home. Not to mention my lack of coordination. Trust me it is a public service working out at home.

Whether you go to the gym or workout at home, know that sitting all day long is not good for you.

Here are a few facts. Most people sit more than they realize, and all that time sitting without activity causes some legitimate health risks. Sitting for long periods every day, over a long period of time, increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular events. But there is worse, sitting too long also makes your butt bigger. Yikes!

It is so easy to think that you are moving enough when you are working from home. You feel tired often. Honestly, I am not sure what it feels like to not be tired anymore. So thinking of adding work out routines at home makes me feel even more exhausted. But here’s the catch, I do feel better when I start working out on a regular basis. As a mom working from home, it sometimes feels like you are running a marathon every day. Your mind can trick you into thinking you are getting enough movement.

Here’s the challenge to see if you are moving enough throughout the day. Get a fitness watch that will count your steps. Garmin, iWatch, Fitbit—I’ve used them all. Get one that you like and works with your budget. Any of these watches will get the job done. I’ve found the Garmin to be the most cost effective, and I haven’t been disappointed with it. At the moment, I have an iWatch because we switched to iPhones, but either will work. Wear it and see how many steps you take during the day, you will probably be shocked. 

When I first got my smartwatch, I was curious to see how working from home changed my movement. And I was shocked. On average I only clocked in about 1500 steps a day (the recommended daily goal is 10,000 steps). I was not moving nearly as much as I thought I was. It was a stunning reality check.

Do you know how many steps you are getting in each day?

3 Tips to Stay Fit Working from Home

So you want to stay or get fit. You don’t want to increase your chances for diabetes or cardiovascular events. And you definitely don’t want your butt getting bigger. Here are my tried and tested tips for staying fit while you are working from home.

1. Move at your desk

This is actually one of my favorites. Any easy way to multitask is a win in my book. I spend so much time at my desk. I need an option to can work out while I’m working. This is a great way to add work out routines at home.

If you decide to use a standing desk (I’ve tried it, but it didn’t work for me). You can get a Simply Fit Board and twist at your desk. I would strongly suggest not buying generic. I did and the board cracked within a month. My actual Simply Fit Board is still in one piece more than 5 years later.

You can use hand weights to lift at your desk. Put a mini exercise bike under your desk. You can try a wobble cushion that helps with your core. There are also desk ellipticals.

Currently, there is a desk elliptical under my desk. When I use it. I turn on the workout for my smart watch. This is how I know that I am intentionally moving and keeping up a pace that counts as a workout. I also like to see my ring close and get rewarded for my workout.

There are so many ways that you can start moving at your desk and start your journey to getting fit. And we still need to talk about actual work out routines at home.

2. Drink water

This is one of those things that is easy to forget even with the kitchen right there. Or you might even be working out of your kitchen. But it is so easy to keep going throughout the day and not think about drinking water. Drinking water helps you stay full and this will help you not overeat. The pantry is right there and the fridge says, “Hey, come on over and see what’s inside.”

Anyone else eat out of boredom? Sometimes you just need a break from your computer, and the easiest place to go to is the pantry. In an office, you would probably walk over to your friend’s desk for a distraction. At home it’s the fridge or the pantry to distract you. So instead of heading to these two place, head for the water instead.

3. Work out routines at home—make it part of your daily routine

Although you added more movement at your desk, it is time to add actual work out routines at home. It is recommended to do 150 minutes of moderate exercises or 75 minutes of intense aerobic exercise per week. That is 30 minutes 5 days per week, or 50 minutes 3 days per week. For intense workouts that is 15 minutes 5 days per week, or 25 minutes 3 days a week. Or just get a smart watch and the app will track this time for you.

You can do this! Pick how many days per week you want to work out, and then start working towards the time frame. Make it part of your daily routine, so you can start forming habits. Once a habit is formed, you do it without thinking.

You don’t have to start your intense workout immediately. Build up to it. If you are going from nothing to 30 minutes of intense workouts, your body is going to be worn out. You will increase the likelihood that you won’t follow through or keep up the routine.

Start slow. Aim for 15 minutes a day to start out. The key is to do it at the same time every day, so that you create a habit of working out at the same time every day. This will increase your chances of sticking to the routine for the long haul.

Here are some of my favorite work out routines at home: pilates, treadmill, exercise bike, and more. Follow my Pinterest board for workouts I like that include Tabata exercises, kettlebell, and treadmill interval exercises.

At the moment, I am focusing on weight training. The more muscle you build the more calories you burn at rest.

Conclusion

Are you convinced that you need to work out more? Part of my reason for writing posts like this, is so I can remind myself that I need to do this too. Are you ready to get moving? Or at least start adding movement at your desk? What is the first step you will take to get started?

For my ideas for workouts you can do, be sure to follow me on Pinterest!

The post Work Out Routines At Home: 3 Tips To Stay Fit Working From Home appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom

I know. You are already a busy mom, so adding one more thing to your plate seems ridiculously impossible. But your physical and mental health are your greatest assets and you can’t ignore them.

Finding the time to exercise feels impossible for busy mom. We all know that we need to do it. Sitting is the new smoking has been said for years now. But how do you actually do it between running businesses, homeschooling, laundry, and they want to eat again.

The problem is not that a busy mom doesn’t care about fitness. It is that most fitness advice is not written with a busy mom in mind. Just like everything else, we are rebel moms redefining everything, this is just one more area that we need to make work for us. Not Pinterest perfect with all the matching workout clothes, but practical and maybe even a little ugly. And that’s ok. We don’t actually need to post our workouts online.

A busy mom needs a fitness plan that bends with real life. It needs to work when the baby wakes up early, when math takes three hours, when work deadlines explode, when dinner is cereal or frozen pizza (no judgement here), and when the only quiet moment of the day happens after everyone is asleep and you no longer have the will to move your own body.

So let’s talk about practical fitness for busy mom. Not extreme fitness. I can’t promise you a beach body in 30-days, but after six kids who actually wants to wear a bikini. This is not a system that requires you to become a completely different person by next Monday.

This is fitness for the mom who wants more energy, more strength, less stress, and a body that can keep up with the life she is actually living.

Why Fitness Feels Impossible for the Busy Mom

The biggest paradox when it comes to being a work from home and homeschool mom is that I am sitting more, but I am also completely exhausted by the end of the day. Some days it does feel like I ran a marathon, but I barely walked from my desk to the kitchen.

Our minds get tricked into thinking that we are moving more than we actually are.

When I worked in the corporate world, I did get up and move around a lot. Especially, working in New York City. It wasn’t something that I really thought about, but I did get a lot of movement throughout the day. It was a longer walk between offices. Now the only place to go is the kitchen or the bathroom and that distance is significantly shorter.

As a busy mom, we have this problem of being busy, feeling exhausted by the end of the day, so assuming that we are getting more movement than we actually are. And once we realize that, we reach the conclusion that we need to add one more thing to our plates. But it feels impossible.

Fitness feels impossible for the busy mom because it is usually presented as something separate from the rest of life. You are told to carve out an hour a day, drive to the gym, follow a program, meal prep, track everything, drink more water, stretch, walk 10,000 steps, lift heavy, get enough sleep, and manage your stress.

Wonderful. Now where do I actually add that to my day?

Most moms are not lacking discipline. They are lacking margin.

That is a very important distinction.

When you are overloaded, the answer is not to just try harder. The answer is to build a fitness habit that fits into the cracks of your day. That may not sound glamorous, but neither is wiping applesauce off the wall. We are not here for glamour. We are here for something that actually works.

There are many times when it feels like if I add one more thing to my plate it is going to break. But I also want to be healthy for my kids and any future grandkids. What we do now is going to determine how well we age.

Are we going to be the bent over 75-year-old ladies shuffling around or are we going to be the 80-year-old grandmas crushing an Iron Man? Personally, I would like to know that I could do an Iron Man if I wanted to, but I don’t actually want to.

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The Busy Mom Mindset Shift: Fitness is a Habit, Not a Project

I know, you don’t need fitness to become a massive project. That is the last thing a busy mom needs. But here’s the good news, you don’t need to overhaul your entire life in one dramatic Monday morning moment.

Instead, think of fitness as a habit.

A project has a deadline. A habit becomes part of who you are and how you live. This is why the I need to lose weight by summer mindset often falls apart. It gives you a finish line, but it does not help you build a sustainable life.

A better mindset is, I want to become stronger, healthier, and more energized so I can show up well for my family and myself. You want to be able to do that Iron Man at 80. That has to start now.

And this mindset changes everything.

Now fitness is not punishment for what you ate. It is not a frantic attempt to fix yourself. It is not another measuring stick to prove whether you are succeeding or failing.

Fitness becomes stewardship. It becomes caring for the body that carries babies, groceries, emotional burdens, laundry baskets, and sometimes the entire family schedule in one exhausted brain.

Practical Fitness for the Busy Mom Starts Small

If you are overloaded, start embarrassingly small. I know. You want the big plan. You want the beautiful calendar. You want to become the kind of woman who wakes up at 5 a.m., works out, showers, reads her Bible, drinks water, and smiles peacefully before the children wake up.

That woman may exist. I have questions.

But most of us need to start smaller. Much smaller. Start with five minutes. Yes, start with something that is going to give you a quick win.

Five minutes of squats. Five minutes of walking. Five minutes of stretching. Five minutes of pushups against the counter. Five minutes of dancing in the kitchen while your kids look at you like you have finally lost it. I may know that look.

It may not feel like enough, but it is enough to build the habit. Once the habit exists, you can build on it. The goal is not to impress anyone. The goal is to begin.

The Busy Mom Fitness Plan That Actually Works

The best fitness plan for a busy mom is the one you will actually do. The plan that works is simple, flexible, and repeatable.

My workouts have changed through the years. So start with this framework to get started, but adjust, tweak, or change as you build the habit.

Here is a practical weekly framework:

1. Move Daily in Small Ways

Daily movement does not need to mean a formal workout every day. Some days it will. Other days it may mean a walk around the block, stretching before bed, or doing lunges while waiting for the microwave.

Do not despise small movement. It adds up.

Over the years, I’ve used different tools while I work. I’ve had an under the desk bike and elliptical, but I recently upgraded to a walking pad. The habit is to get in 8,000 steps while I work. And it is working. The immediate improvement that I saw after I started using it was better sleep.

Find ways to add movement while you are doing other things.

2. Strength Train 2-3 Times a Week

Strength training is one of the best fitness choices for busy moms because it gives you the most return for your time. You do not need a gym membership or a full home gym. Start with bodyweight exercises.

Think squats, lunges, pushups, planks, glute bridges, and rows if you have dumbbells or resistance bands.

Strength matters because motherhood is physical. You lift kids, carry groceries, haul laundry, rearrange furniture when the mood strikes, and somehow bring every bag from the car in one trip because two trips are for people with time.

Getting stronger helps real life feel easier. The muscle you build now is going to make a huge difference as you age.

Check out Exercises for Mom

3. Stretch Because Your Body is Not 20 Anymore

I feel this…every morning. There comes a point in life when you can hurt your neck by sleeping wrong. This feels deeply unfair, but here we are.

Stretching helps with stiffness, stress, and mobility. It also gives your body a moment to exhale. You do not need a complicated yoga routine. Stretch your back, hips, shoulders, hamstrings, and neck.

If you sit at a desk, homeschool at the table, nurse a baby, carry toddlers, or sleep in weird positions because a child invaded your bed, your body needs stretching.

Check out Stretching Exercises for Mom

What the Busy Mom Should Stop Doing

Sometimes the best way to make progress is to stop doing the things that are making fitness harder than it needs to be.

Stop waiting for motivation. Motivation is unreliable. It shows up when you buy the cute planner and disappears when the toddler throws yogurt.

You do not need motivation. You need a routine. You need a small habit you can do even when you do not feel like it.

Stop choosing programs designed for someone else’s life. If a program requires two hours a day, a strict meal plan, and no interruptions, it may be a great program. But it may not be great for your season.

Choose what fits your life right now.

Stop thinking small workouts do not count. Small workouts count. A 10-minute walk counts. Five minutes of strength training counts. Stretching counts.

You are building consistency, and consistency is where the magic happens.

Busy Mom Fitness When You Are Exhausted

There will be days when you are bone tired. On those days, be wise.

Sometimes movement will help. A short walk, gentle stretching, or light strength work can clear your head and reduce stress.

But sometimes you need rest. Actual rest. Not fake rest where you sit down and mentally plan the next 47 things.

Fitness for overloaded moms must include recovery. You are not a machine. Even machines break when they are not maintained, and you are much more valuable than a dishwasher with a questionable attitude.

So ask yourself: Do I need movement, or do I need rest? Then answer honestly.

Once you’ve created the habit, it is ok to take time to rest. Workout for six weeks and then plan to rest for the seventh week. Planned rest will still keep you on track with your fitness habit, while also giving you a milestone to achieve.

Make Fitness Easier with Your Environment

Make fitness easy for a busy mom. If your workout shoes are buried in the closet, your resistance bands are in a mystery drawer, and your water bottle has been claimed by a child, you are making fitness harder.

Set up your environment so it is easy. You do not need an elaborate home gym. You need fewer barriers.

Also, remove a few obstacles. If scrolling your phone eats your evening, set a boundary. If late nights make mornings impossible, start working backward toward better sleep. If your to-do list is overloaded, stop pretending you can add a 90-minute workout without removing something else.

Fitness needs space. Not a huge amount of space, but some.

Conclusion: The Busy Mom Can Build Practical Fitness

Fitness for the busy mom does not need to be extreme. It needs to be practical.

You do not need to become a different person. And you do not need to overhaul your life. You do not need to wait until the kids are older, the schedule is calmer, the house is cleaner, or the stars align over the laundry pile.

Start small.

Move for five minutes. Take a walk. Stretch before bed. Do a few squats while the coffee brews. Build strength two or three times a week. Rest when you need it. Keep going when life gets messy.

You are not failing because fitness feels hard. You are living a full life with a lot of demands. So stop trying to force yourself into a fitness system that was never designed for moms.

Be a rebel mom. Build one that works for you.

FAQ: Busy Mom Fitness

Q: How can a busy mom start exercising?

A: A busy mom can start exercising by making the habit very small. Begin with five to ten minutes a day. Walk, stretch, do squats, or try a short bodyweight workout. The goal is to build consistency first, then increase the time or intensity later.

Q: What is the best workout for a busy mom?

A: The best workout for a busy mom is one she will actually do. Strength training, walking, stretching, and short cardio bursts are all great options. A simple plan that includes two or three strength workouts and regular walking is a practical place to start.

Q: How many minutes should a busy mom exercise each day?

A: Start with five to fifteen minutes if you are overwhelmed. You can always build up later. Small workouts are better than waiting for a perfect hour that never comes. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Q: How can I stay consistent with fitness as a busy mom?

A: Use routines instead of rigid schedules. Stack movement onto something you already do, like coffee, brushing your teeth, or starting laundry. Keep your equipment visible and your plan simple. The easier it is to start, the more likely you are to continue.

Q: What equipment does a busy mom need for fitness?

A: You do not need much. Comfortable shoes, resistance bands, and a pair of dumbbells are enough for most home workouts. You can also start with no equipment and use bodyweight exercises.

The post The Busy Mom Guide To Fitness: Practical Fitness For Overloaded Moms appeared first on Life Unboxed.
Jodie the Mom