Little-Known Ways to Stay Productive While Raising Kids

Ah, the life of a small business owner endless meetings, emails that seem to multiply faster than your kid’s dirty laundry, and, oh yeah, actual work that needs to get done.

But throw a couple of tiny humans into the mix, and suddenly, you’re not just a CEO; you’re also the Chief Crayon Remover, Nap Negotiator, and Snack Time Coordinator.

How do you stay productive when your boardroom has been taken over by LEGO blocks, and your only “me time” involves hiding in the pantry with a half-eaten chocolate bar?

Fear not! I’ve been there, and I’ve survived to tell the tale.

If you’re juggling business and babies, here’s how you can squeeze productivity out of your day like you’re juicing the last orange on the tree without going completely bonkers.

1. The 5 AM Club (Or 4 AM, If You’re Really Keen)

Let’s kick off with a classic.

You’ve heard it before, but the early morning hours are gold.

And by “gold,” I mean they’re the only time of day when the house is so quiet you could hear a pin drop if you weren’t too busy sneaking around like a ninja to avoid waking the kids.

Why 5 AM? Because those precious early hours are all yours.

No interruptions, no school runs, no tantrums.

Just you, your thoughts, and that glorious first cup of coffee.

It’s like a secret productivity party, and the kids aren’t invited.

Use this time for the tasks that require serious brainpower strategic planning, content creation, or just staring blankly at your screen until the caffeine kicks in.

2. Delegate Like You’re the Queen of England

If you’re trying to do everything yourself, you’re not just wearing too many hats you’re practically buried under a hat mountain.

The solution? Delegation.

And I’m not talking about asking your five-year-old to handle your social media (although that could be interesting).

I mean hiring freelancers, virtual assistants, and other remote wizards to take some of the load off your plate.

Remember, delegation is the ultimate productivity hack.

You’re not just paying someone to do a job; you’re buying yourself time time you can spend on high-impact activities or, you know, pretending to watch your kid’s 47th “magic show” of the day.

3. The Power of Micro-Tasks

Let’s face it: when you’re running a business and a household, your to-do list looks like a CVS receipt it’s never-ending.

But here’s the thing: not every task on that list is a three-hour marathon.

Some are just quick sprints.

Enter the concept of micro-tasks.

What’s a micro-task?

Glad you asked!

It’s a tiny, manageable task that you can knock out in a few minutes like sending an email, making a quick call, or finally ordering that part your printer’s been crying out for.

The trick is to use those odd minutes between kid-related chaos to knock these out.

Waiting for your kid to finish their third “last” bite of dinner?

Micro-task.

Trapped in the bathroom because you’ve “gone into hiding”?

Micro-task.

By the end of the day, you’ll have cleared more from your list than you thought possible.

4. Batching—Your New Best Mate

Batching is like meal-prepping for your business.

You group similar tasks together and knock them out in one focused session.

It’s an absolute game-changer for parents because it limits the mental switching costs that come from juggling a thousand things at once.

Say you’ve got a bunch of emails to send, some blog posts to write, and a few invoices to sort out.

Instead of flitting between them, batch them together.

Spend an hour on emails, another on content, and another on admin.

You’ll find that you get into a groove much faster, and you’ll power through the tasks like you’ve got a rocket strapped to your back.

5. Embrace the Power of “No”

Now, here’s a dirty little secret: You don’t have to do everything.

I know, shocking, right?

But seriously, as a small business owner, your time is precious.

You’ve got to guard it like your toddler guards their favourite stuffed toy.

That means learning to say “no” to the things that don’t move the needle.

Whether it’s a client project that’s more trouble than it’s worth, or yet another “quick” coffee catch-up that eats into your work time—if it’s not essential, politely decline.

And no, you don’t need to feel guilty about it.

The more you say “no” to the unnecessary, the more time you have to say “yes” to what really matters like making your business thrive or finally figuring out what your kid’s favourite crayon even is.

6. The Magic of Time Blocking

Imagine you’re a superstar in the kitchen, whipping up a culinary masterpiece.

Now imagine trying to do that while your kids are setting the table on fire.

Time blocking is like closing the kitchen door and telling the kids they can only come in when the timer dings.

In other words, you set specific blocks of time for specific tasks and you stick to them.

Morning block? High-priority tasks.

Midday block? Meetings and collaboration.

Afternoon block? Admin and follow-ups.

Evening block? Family time and a well-deserved glass of wine.

By sticking to your blocks, you’re ensuring that everything gets its due attention and nothing gets done halfway.

7. Family Time Is Non-Negotiable

Let’s get one thing straight: Family time isn’t just important; it’s sacred.

No matter how busy you are, you’ve got to carve out time to be present with your kids.

This isn’t just about balancing work and life; it’s about showing your kids that they’re more important than the biggest deal of your career.

Remember, your kids won’t remember the emails you answered at 10 PM, but they’ll remember the time you spent with them.

So, turn off the phone, close the laptop, and be present.

Whether it’s playing a board game, reading a book together, or just sitting on the couch watching cartoons these are the moments that count.

8. Work Smart, Not Hard

I know, I know—you’ve heard this one a million times.

But here’s the thing: It’s true.

You don’t have to work 80 hours a week to be successful.

In fact, if you’re working 80 hours a week, you’re doing it wrong.

The key to productivity isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter.

That means automating what you can, delegating what you can’t, and focusing on what truly moves the needle.

Use tools like Notion, Google Calendar, and Motion AI to streamline your tasks.

And if there’s something you don’t need to do yourself—outsource it.

You’ll find that not only do you get more done, but you also get your life back.

9. Health Is Wealth—So Prioritise It

Now, let’s talk about something that gets overlooked way too often: your health.

As a small business owner, it’s easy to put your well-being on the back burner.

But let me tell you, that’s a one-way ticket to Burnoutville.

You’ve got to take care of yourself, physically and mentally.

Get your workout in, eat well, sleep enough, and take those mental health breaks.

Because if you’re running on empty, you’re not doing anyone any favours—not your business, not your family, and certainly not yourself.

10. The Power of Play (Yes, for You Too!)

Who says playtime is just for kids?

As adults, we often forget the importance of play.

But here’s the thing—play isn’t just for kids; it’s essential for adults too.

It’s a stress reliever, a creativity booster, and a reminder that life isn’t all about work.

So, take a break, let your hair down, and have some fun with your kids.

Whether it’s a game of tag, a silly dance-off, or just running around in the backyard—it’ll do wonders for your mood and your productivity.

Plus, it’ll remind you why you’re working so hard in the first place to create a life where fun isn’t a rare treat, but a daily occurrence.

11. Quality Over Quantity

Here’s a little secret: You don’t need to do more; you need to do better.

When you’re juggling a business and a family, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that productivity is all about doing as much as possible.

But here’s the truth—it’s not about doing more; it’s about doing the right things, the right way.

So, instead of trying to cram more into your day, focus on doing the important things really well.

It’s not about quantity; it’s about quality.

Whether it’s spending quality time with your kids or delivering exceptional work for your clients, make sure you’re giving it your all—and leave the rest for another day.

12. Embrace Continuous Improvement

Look, no one’s perfect—not even that mum at school pick-up who looks like she’s got it all together.

But here’s the thing: You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to keep getting better.

Whether it’s refining your morning routine, finding new ways to streamline your business, or just figuring out how to get your kids to stop fighting over the remote—keep improving, bit by bit.

Small, consistent improvements add up over time, and before you know it, you’ll be running your business and your household like a well-oiled machine.

13. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Finally, and this is a big one—don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Whether it’s from your partner, a friend, or even a professional—asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.

You don’t have to do it all alone.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out.

There’s no shame in getting a helping hand, whether it’s with your business or with your kids.

Remember, it takes a village—not just to raise a child, but to run a business too.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you have it….a cheat sheet to staying productive while raising kids.

It’s not easy, but with the right strategies, you can rock your business and your parenting game without losing your sanity.

Remember, it’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about doing your best, being present, and enjoying the ride.

After all, the kids are only young once, and these years are just as much about creating memories as they are about building your empire.

Now, go forth and conquer the chaos.

You’ve got this.