Do you struggle with trying to figure figure out how to work at home with kids? Be sure to listen in on today’s podcast!

Today we’re going to be talking all about pinning with kids and how to balance working from home with family life. But first, I want to talk about my Wednesday Pinterest email. The email includes tips, trending topics, podcast links, and valuable resources. I also talk about what’s going on in my personal life. Sign up for the email and you’ll get a free planner as well!

Many of you are mamas with little kids at home, whether year-round or just during the summer. When you’re working on building a business and you have kids around or underfoot, it can be really difficult to be productive.

So how do you manage pinning/business with your kids around? Well, I’ve brought in my friend, Angela Davis, to share what she has managed it in her business and how her strategies have evolved over the years as her business and her family has grown. Angela has five kids, ages  5, 8, 10, 12 and 14, and I have three kids (ages 8, 11, and 12).

Q&A on How to Work at Home with Kids

If you have kids who are 5 and under, this is a hard stage. Amy, one of my seasoned team members who just had a baby, asked us how we manage to get our pinning in while having little ones who are not in school.

“Moms with younger kids (not in school), how/when do you work on your accounts? We just switched to one (short!) nap and we’re struggling to find a new, good rhythm for pinning. I essentially just lost 8 hours of work time! Anyone have ideas I might not be thinking of?”

Working During Nap Time

Members of my team chimed in with some really helpful tips:

“Girl I feel ya! Now that my baby’s 6 months old and not napping around the clock I’m struggling to find a new groove too! I usually work in the evenings and I make Ells do quiet time while Bre and Isaac are napping. The older kids know that’s my work time so Ells isn’t allowed to talk to me while the others are napping.” – Kimberly

“I work a little bit during nap time, and I also do small tasks like answering emails throughout the day when the kids are playing independently and getting along (which usually lasts for about 5 minutes, so just enough time to answer one email!). – Kalen

Working in the Evenings

“I do the majority of my pinning in the evenings – usually 2-3 evenings a week. On those nights, my husband is in charge of all kid-related tasks. Usually from the time my husband gets home around 5 until 9 or 10 p.m. I take a break for dinner, but the rest of the evening I’m in my office, without distractions. I usually do this about two nights each week. I work so much more efficiently when I’m totally focused without distractions!” – Kalen

“I pin at night after the kids are in bed (7:30-ish). That happens about 3 or 4 times a week.” – Anne

“I homeschool so my kids are here almost 24/7 and no naps. I usually pin in the evenings when my husband is guiding us through all of our ‘shows’.” – Rosanna

“I suggest carving out 2-3 (or whatever you can do) hours at night to work when your husband is home and can be with the baby. I also try not to work sporadically throughout the day because then I just feel too scattered. I make the schedule and stick to it, just as if you were going somewhere outside the home to work. – Erin

Working Away from Home

“Now that I have several accounts, I’ve also started to schedule time to work at a local coffee shop…twice a month or so. My husband is fully supportive of this. I think that’s key. He sees my paycheck and realizes that my time away is far more productive than attempting to work from home.” – Anne