3 Tips for Being Present with Your Baby While Working from Home as a Stay-at-Home Mom

Balancing work with the soft, all-consuming needs of a baby at home—now, that’s a dance. Some days, it feels effortless, with everything falling into place. Other days, it feels like a juggling act with too many things to hold and not enough hands. Here are three tips that might help you find that elusive balance, allowing you to be present with your baby while meeting the demands of work and honoring your role as a mother.

1. Flow with Their Rhythm, Not the Clock

Your baby is your guide, reminding you to live in the present—an instinct most of us feel when we look into their eyes. Try building a routine that centers around their natural rhythm instead of pushing through rigid schedules.

• Work During Nap Times: Save your most focused tasks for when they’re sleeping. In these quiet moments, you can work with your whole mind, knowing they’re resting peacefully nearby.

• Play Nearby: Set up a cozy play space close to where you work. You can meet their curious glances and celebrate their babbles, giving them a piece of you, even when you’re balancing work in the other hand.

The magic here is in knowing that the work will happen—but so will those precious, unrepeatable moments with your little one.

2. Savor the Small Moments

When work pulls you one way, your baby calls you another, and you feel stretched thin, there’s comfort in savoring what I like to call “micro-moments.” These are tiny, almost unnoticed gestures that bridge the space between you and them.

• Eye Contact and Smiles: Sometimes, just a look, a shared smile, or a brief conversation about their day (even if it’s babbling nonsense) can remind both of you that you’re there.

• Mini-Breaks to Reconnect: In between emails, take a few seconds to hold them, to smell that sweet baby scent, or to dance around the room for a song or two. These pauses are more than just moments; they’re small affirmations of love.

These little moments add up, reminding both of you that even in the busiest times, your bond is always present.

3. Embrace Imperfection—It’s More Than Enough

You’re juggling so much, and the weight of expectations can be heavy. But being both a present mother and a productive worker doesn’t mean having a perfect day every day. There’s beauty in letting go of perfection and trusting that “enough” is plenty.

• Redefine Productivity: Some days, productivity might mean a lot of boxes checked. Other days, it might mean you got through a single email. Allow yourself to celebrate those small wins, whatever they look like.

• Prioritize What’s Real: Not everything needs to be done now. If your baby needs extra comfort today, or if they just want to be held a little longer, know that your work can wait, and these moments with your baby won’t.

When we let go of needing to “do it all,” we find space to savor what we have. And when we remember that, we can give our babies (and ourselves) a bit of grace in this season of life.

Balancing work and motherhood is never without its challenges, but there’s so much beauty in this chapter, too. With flexibility, connection, and self-compassion, you can nurture a rhythm that allows you to cherish these fleeting days. Remember, just showing up for your little one with an open heart is more than enough.