Balancing Act: How I Schedule My Workday Around My Kids

As a parent entrepreneur, one of the biggest challenges I face every single day is this:
“How do I get work done and still be a present parent?”

Let’s be honest—running a business or working remotely with children around isn’t just a productivity test; it’s an emotional, physical, and mental juggling act. Over time, I’ve had to let go of the idea of a “perfect routine” and instead create a flexible framework that works for me—and more importantly, for my kids.

So here’s a transparent, real-life look at how I schedule my workday around my kids, including what works, what doesn’t, and the systems I swear by.

🌅 Morning: Set the Tone

My day begins early—around 6:00 AM. This is my golden hour before my kids wake up, and it’s my time to fill my cup before pouring into everyone else.

⏰ 6:00–7:30 AM – Me Time / Deep Work

Make coffee or tea ☕

10 minutes of quiet journaling or planning

Tackle 1 high-priority work task (writing, strategy, emails)

This time block isn’t negotiable. It sets the tone for my day and gives me a small win before the household comes alive.

🧸 7:30–9:00 AM – Family Wake-Up & Morning Routine

Breakfast for the kids

School prep (if applicable)

Playtime or a short cartoon while I clean up and check emails

🧠 Pro Tip: I batch simple morning tasks and don’t schedule meetings before 9:00 AM. This helps avoid chaos and guilt.

🕘 Mid-Morning: Work While They’re Occupied

⏰ 9:00 AM–12:00 PM – Focused Work Block

Depending on the day, this is school time, daycare time, or independent play time.

If my kids are in school or with a caregiver, I dive into deep work:

Client calls

Content creation

Project work

Invoicing, admin tasks

If my kids are home, I set up an activity station (puzzles, colouring, snacks) nearby. Do I get full focus? Not always. But they learn to respect “quiet work time,” and I take breaks every 30–40 minutes to check in.

🧠 Tools I Use:

Pomodoro Timer (25/5 rule)

Noise-canceling headphones

A whiteboard with “Work/Break” time listed for my older child to follow

🥗 Midday: The Reset

⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM – Lunch & Movement

I stop work completely during lunch. We eat together, and if the weather’s nice, we’ll go outside—even just for a quick walk.

💡 Why?
It’s tempting to multitask, but this one-hour reset recharges both my energy and my kids’ moods.

💤 Afternoon: Nap Time = Gold Time

⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM – Creative or Client Work

This is when younger kids nap or older ones enjoy screen time, quiet reading, or downtime. I use this golden window to:

Write blogs

Record videos

Take client meetings

Plan content or strategy

I try not to waste this block with low-energy admin tasks—this is my second most productive stretch.

🧠 Hack: I prep everything I’ll need before lunch, so I can jump straight in once nap/quiet time starts.

🎨 Late Afternoon: Flexible Family Time

⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM – Light Work + Family Activity

After naps or school pickup, the house shifts back to “kid mode.” During this time:

I respond to low-priority emails

Schedule social media posts

Kids might do crafts, play in the yard, or help with small chores

If I still have a deadline, I’ll use a tablet or kids’ app time to buy an extra 30–45 minutes—but I try to stay mentally flexible.

💡 Important: I no longer expect perfection here. If nothing gets done after 3 PM, it’s okay.

🍽️ Evening: Family First, Work Later (If Needed)

⏰ 5:00–8:00 PM – Dinner, Bath, and Wind-Down

This time is sacred. We cook, eat, clean up, and do our bedtime routine without screens or work distractions.

It’s also my chance to reconnect with my family and shift out of work mode.

⏰ 8:00–9:00 PM – Optional Admin Hour

Once the kids are in bed, I may:

Check Slack

Schedule tomorrow’s to-dos

Do light edits or planning

But if I’m tired, I rest. Hustling late every night isn’t sustainable.

🧠 My Top 5 Tips for Scheduling Work Around Kids

Plan the night before.
I write down 1–2 top priorities so I’m ready to go in the morning.

Batch your tasks.
Group similar tasks (emails, social posts, calls) to minimise brain switching.

Use a visual schedule.
A colour-coded calendar helps me (and my kids!) see when it’s work time vs. family time.

Don’t overfill your plate.
Give yourself a margin. Life with kids is unpredictable.

Give yourself grace.
Some days you’ll crush it. Others, you’ll fall behind. Both are normal.

✨ Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection

Balancing work and parenting is an ongoing dance, not a fixed routine. Some days it’s messy. Some days it's magic.

But by building a flexible structure, respecting your energy, and staying present with your kids, you can create a rhythm that works for your unique family and business.

You don’t need to “do it all”—you just need to do what matters most, moment by moment.

And that’s the real balance.