Time Hacks Every Freelance Mom Needs to Balance Kids and Clients

Mom Olympics

Ever heard of it? Probably not…I totally made it up.

Since becoming a mom, I’ve started keeping a mental tally of the events I’d enter if there ever was such a thing. For example:

• Driving while handing out snacks with a toddler screaming as you merge onto the highway.

• Grocery shopping with kids in tow, where you’re following your list while answering questions like, “Why does that man have such huge eyebrows?” all while prying little hands off everything on the shelves and hearing “Can we get this?” every three seconds.

• And the ultimate challenge, the gold-medal event: working from home while parenting. Just last week, as I was trying to write a blog, one child was climbing on my head while the other was yelling from the bathroom for “urgent” help. The constant interruption–refocus–interruption cycle? Truly a world-class skill.

With so many moms turning to freelancing these days, figuring out how to structure your day with smart time hacks isn’t just helpful. It’s survival. With the right hacks, you can stay productive and keep burnout at bay.

Hack #1: Batch your work like a pro 

When I first learned about batching, I literally had a dramatic movie moment in my head: “Where have you been all my life?” (If you’re a classic movie buff, you’ll know that’s from Sabrina. If not, just picture me dramatically clutching my chest while saying it.)

Here’s the deal: batching just means grouping similar tasks together instead of bouncing around like a caffeinated squirrel. Emails in one block, invoicing in another, writing projects in another. You can even batch across clients. Like if you’re in “social media mode,” just ride that wave until it’s done.

Why? Because every time you switch gears, your brain needs a hot second to refocus. Grouping similar tasks saves your sanity and can boost your efficiency by up to 40%. Which basically means you can get back to the important things in life… like hiding in the pantry to eat a cookie without sharing.

Hack #2: Embrace the “nap time hustle” 

Ah, nap time. Those sacred 1–2 hours when the house is (mostly) quiet and you finally get to hear your own thoughts again.

Instead of zoning out with a show or tackling that mountain of laundry (seriously, it never ends), use those precious minutes for your deep-focus work i.e., the stuff that requires actual brain power.

Now, full honesty: nap time is not the same for every kid. My oldest? Like clockwork—down in 10 minutes, solid two hours of peace. My youngest? A wild card. Could sleep 30 minutes, could go three hours. Basically, it’s like playing productivity roulette.

So here’s my advice. Use the time you’ve got, however much it is, and give yourself grace. If you get one blog drafted, awesome. If all you managed was replying to two emails before someone woke up demanding a snack, still a win.

Hack #3: Set clear boundaries and office hours 

Boundaries. I used to think they were just for parenting (“No, you cannot wear your princess heels to school”). Turns out, they’re also a game-changer for freelance writing.

At home: carve out a little workspace that signals, “Mom’s in the zone, please don’t interrupt unless it’s an actual emergency.” To cut down on the endless snack requests, I made a “snack box” in the fridge. Whatever’s in there, the kids can grab whatever, whenever they want. But once it’s gone, it’s gone. Bonus: they learned portion control, and I wasn’t summoned every 10 minutes like a short-order cook.

At work: set boundaries with clients, too. In the beginning, I was so grateful for projects that I’d answer emails at 11 p.m. Not sustainable. Now, I stick to my set hours and communicate them clearly.

Spoiler: the world didn’t end, and my clients actually respect it.

Hack #4: Use tech to your advantage 

Look, working from home while parenting full-time can be a lot. You need tools.

Here are a few lifesavers I love:

• PayPal – easy invoicing, plus you can batch and automate so you’re not constantly sending “friendly reminders.”

• Fathom – this AI notetaker deserves a standing ovation. It records meetings, writes up notes, and even gives everyone a to-do list. Way better than deciphering my scribbles like some ancient scroll.

• Grammarly – your built-in proofreader. Because sometimes your brain writes faster than your fingers and suddenly you’ve got typos everywhere.

The right tools aren’t about replacing your hustle. They’re about buying back your time. And honestly, we could all use more of that.

And the gold medal goes to…

Some days, freelancing as a mom feels like you’ve stuck the landing in the Mom-Olympics: emails sent, deadlines met, kids relatively happy. Other days, you’re just proud you survived the “Most snacks handed out during a Zoom call” event. Either way, you’re out here doing it: balancing clients, kids, and chaos with as much grace (and caffeine) as possible.

Want to make the writing side of freelancing feel lighter, faster, maybe even fun? Dez at the Pajama Writer can get you there. 👉 [Download guides, book a call, or sign up for the newsletter]. Or, if you just want some real-life freelancing mom moments (and maybe a laugh), come hang out with her on Instagram or Facebook. Bonus points if you peek at the Etsy shop too.