Finding My Block of Time

• Doing deep-focus tasks during "quiet" hours: I tackled my most challenging tasks either early in the morning before everyone was awake or late at night when the house was finally calm. 
• Reserving simpler and routine tasks for multitasking moments: During the day, I handled emails, administrative work, and minor tasks while tending to the kids or during short breaks between childcare duties. This allowed me to make progress even when fully focused work wasn’t possible.

• Following a set routine: We established a consistent daily schedule to provide structure and predictability. This included designated times for waking up, meals, schoolwork, playtime, and bedtime.
• Establishing independent study habits: One of the key things we instilled in Kitty is a love for learning. As she grew, she naturally developed self-directed learning skills. To encourage her independence, we provided a quiet study space and taught her to manage homework and school work without constant supervision.
• Preparing for the next day: Simple habits, like preparing her school bag, snacks, and outfit the night before, helped minimize morning stress and encouraged a sense of responsibility. She would also independently dress herself for school.
• Assigning household tasks: To enforce the value of contributing to the household, Kitty took on manageable age-appropriate chores. This includes sweeping the floor, tidying up her room and toys, putting away and folding the laundry, and setting the table for meals.

Teamwork with Husband

• No gender-based household chores: In this modern age, traditional roles are anything but obsolete. In our household, we divided tasks based on practicality and availability rather than outdated gender norms. Whether it was cooking, cleaning, or childcare, we approached everything as a team.
• Equally dividing the mental load: Managing a household isn’t just about physical chores — it’s also about remembering appointments, planning meals, tracking school activities, and ensuring everyone’s needs are met. We made it a point to share these responsibilities equally, and having a "family calendar" on our phones kept all of us in sync with all the necessary schedules.
• Clean as you go: To prevent clutter and mess from building up, we adopted a "clean as you go" approach. This habit kept our home more manageable, as well as more organized.

• Making the most of naptimes: During the day, I would babywear Liam while he took a nap, allowing me to continue working or doing household chores hands-free. 
• Categorizing tasks for babywearing: I learned to distinguish between tasks that I could do while babywearing — such as washing dishes, doing the laundry, preparing meals, ironing clothes, and putting away laundry — and tasks that required me to place Liam in his playpen for safety, such as cooking or mopping the floor.
• Setting up a safe play space for independent play: Once Liam became more mobile, we designated a secure play area with baby-proofed surroundings, soft mats, and engaging toys.

• Laundry: While we still personally wash Liam's baby clothes and Kitty's school uniforms, we outsource the rest of our laundry to a laundromat nearby, which conveniently offers free pick up and delivery options.
• Deep cleaning: For daily upkeep, we handle most of the cleaning ourselves. However, for bigger, more labor-intensive tasks — like deep-cleaning the floors, hard-to-reach areas, and the comfort rooms — we hire stay-out cleaners once or twice a week.
• Meals: My husband makes it a point to prepare all our meals for the day before leaving for work each morning. However, on particularly busy days, we don’t hesitate to order food through GrabFood, saving us time on meal prep and cleanup.

Summing It Up: Surviving as a Work-at-Home Mom of Two without a Yaya