5 Practical Productivity Tips for Work-From-Home Mums with Preschoolers

Being a work-from-home mum with preschoolers can feel like an impossible juggling act. You love your creative projects or small business, but with little ones running around, finding focused time can be tough.

I’ve always been a creative person—I painted even when working traditional 9–5 jobs. When my first child came along, I thought I’d simply keep creating while she played happily nearby. Wrong! It didn’t take long to realise that working from home with kids requires a whole new approach.

Now, with two children aged 3.5 and nearly 2, I’ve developed some practical strategies that help me stay productive while still being present for my kids. These tips aren’t miracle solutions, but they’re real, flexible approaches that might help you carve out space for your own work—whether that’s painting, sewing, writing, scrapbooking, or running a home-based business.

Here are my top 5 productivity tips for mums working from home with preschoolers:

1. Get Your Kids Involved in Your Work

Instead of fighting for quiet time, invite your kids to be part of what you’re doing.

• If you’re cooking, give them their own “mini station” to stir or mix.

• If you’re sewing, let them cut scraps and peg fabric together.

• Scrapbooking? Set them up with their own little book.

By making their play a reflection of your task (at an age-appropriate level), you’re not only keeping them busy—you’re teaching them new skills and boosting their independence.

2. Burn Off Energy First

Just like puppies, kids need to run until they’re tired! Take your preschooler to the playground in the morning, let them climb, run, and explore. Fresh air + exercise usually means better naps and more independent playtime later at home.

This can buy you a precious 30–60 minutes of quiet time to dive into emails or a creative project.

3. Feed Them Before You Focus

Hungry kids = cranky kids. Full tummies = peaceful play.

Keep healthy snacks on hand and offer meals before you sit down to work. Once they’re content, they’re more likely to settle with Duplo, puzzles, or books while you catch up on your own tasks.

4. Prioritise Work Over Housework

It’s tempting to tidy the toys, tackle dishes, or start laundry—but if your goal is productivity, the chores can wait.

Give yourself permission to let the house slide on “work days.” Your projects deserve to be a priority, and the housework will still be there tomorrow. Remember: done is better than perfect.

5. Use Screens Sparingly (But Strategically)

On rainy days or when deadlines can’t wait, don’t feel guilty about screen time. While TV or tablets aren’t ideal every day, 30 minutes of calm can be a lifesaver when you need to finish something important.

Balance it with lots of active, creative play at other times—and remember, survival mode is real and valid.

Final Thoughts: You’re Doing an Amazing Job

At the end of the day, if you’ve managed even a small slice of work beyond the endless parenting tasks—hair plaiting, snack prepping, toy hunting, cleaning up accidents—you’ve already achieved something incredible.

Being a work-from-home mum with preschoolers isn’t about perfection; it’s about flexibility, creativity, and giving yourself grace. Grab the minutes where you can, celebrate small wins, and keep nurturing your passions.

Happy drawing, painting, and creating,
Kirsty ✨