
Working from Home: How to Meet Deadlines When your Children Refuse to Nap
Thus far in my blogging career, I’ve been able to complete a sizeable chunk of the hefty workload whilst my children slumbered. I would put them down for their afternoon nap and sit down to a couple of hours work in the afternoon. Then when they went to bed in the evening, I’d grab a few more hours for good measure. It was a good balance and one that will be sorely missed.
The last few months have seen my eldest daughter drop her naps altogether. My youngest does still nap, but not for long during daytime hours. This has thrown a huge spanner in the works where my business is concerned, as I’ve lost a whopping 14 hours of dedicated blogging time each week. At first I found myself in a spin of overwhelm and disorganisation. With even less time in the day to get on top of things, I felt like I was drowning in my work load.
Something had to change. Firstly I had to accept that nap time is no more. I’ve had a good run of 2.5 years of mid-afternoon bliss, but it was time to re-asses our daily routine to keep each of us as happy as can be. After much trial and error, we now have a good little routine going!
So, here’s how to meet deadlines when your children refuse to nap:
Split your days into activity blocks –
The key to keeping everyone in your house happy, is to allocate of time to meet everyone’s needs. In our house, the littlest still needs a short nap around lunchtime, so our day is divided into three blocks; ‘morning’, ‘downtime’ and ‘the rest of the day’. Our morning and the rest of the day is dedicated to our girls, we take them out, educate them and do everything else that comes with being a parent. Downtime however, is time for me to settle the girls down for an hour in order to get through some of my workload. I often enlist the help of Peppa Pig here, but it’s a good rest for the girls and time for them to recharge for the rest of the day.
Create a dedicated work space –
Having an area that’s just for you is a great way to make sure you meet your deadlines. My husband recently built me a desk area and it means that I can leave unfinished work to come back to later. I’m able to jump back into my chair and continue my project without having to wast time reorganising myself. It also means there are no little people using my documents as scrap paper!
Work into the night, but know when to stop –
I’ve accepted that If I’m to continue working at the level I’ve gotten used to, then burning the midnight oil is a given. As it’s the only real quiet time I have, I leave all of the more complicated projects until after the children have settled for the night. Working too late, too often can quickly lead to burn out though. So it’s important to recognise your limits and to hit the hay early once in a while. Burning the candle at both ends won’t be a benefit to anyone.
Use downtime to catch up on easy tasks –
If the kids are up and you’re finding it difficult to concentrate, tackling tasks that are simple will make you feel like you’ve been productive. It’s still work that has to be done and once you have time to yourself you can concentrate on the more complex projects.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help –
Sometimes things don’t go according to plan and getting things done becomes impossible. That’s when you need to admit defeat and ask for a little help. Whether that’s getting someone to watch the kids whilst you spend some time catching up, or outsourcing work that you just isn’t at the top of your priority list. Don’t try to be superhuman!

63 Replies to “Working from Home: How to Meet Deadlines When your Children Refuse to Nap”
It is so hard when the naps go. I find it hard enough just keeping up with the housework. Great tips x
So true! X
This is some good advice! I can only imagine the difficulty of working from home with little ones. I definitely find that working earlier and having a dedicated workspace works for me!
Victoria | http://www.spokenreveries.co.uk
Thankyou! X
my kids are grown but I need these tips to manage my four lively dogs!! I’ve just got back from the dog walk so I’m taking advantage to get a focused hours or two now! Have a great week lovely xx
Haha, I can imagine! X
Popping back – and still and a pile of dogs on my lap! xx
Haha, thankyou! X
I have recently started doing easy tasks during times when the kids are around but not demand too much attention and it’s made such a difference!!
That helps me a lot too! X
Great tips. When they go to school you won’t know what to do with all that time! Unfortunately for me they always seem to be the quickest 6 hours of the day!
I bet they fill up so quickly once you get used to them! X
I am dreading the day when my babies stop napping! Those 2 hours in the afternoon are essential to my business and my well-being. I think I’ll be enlisting Grandma help once they decide they’re too old for sleeping.
#globalblogging
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
I often get Grandma to help out too! X
I’ve been struggling a lot with this lately, but these tips will help me through! I’ll be sad when my daughter drops her nap. I think the idea about the “activity blocks” will really help.
It’s taken a lot of getting used to for me! X
I’m in the same boat at the moment. My youngest is a terrible napper so I am really missing my 1/2 hour solid work time each afternoon. When my eldest isn’t at preschool and if I manage to get the little one to nap, then I get the eldest to have some ‘chill out time’ in his room. This buys me a little bit of time. Housework and food shopping I am always behind on but I am growing to accept my limitations. It’s hard being a work from home mum!
It really is difficult! X
Great tips. I work during nap times at the moment and she still has 3 a day, but I know the day will come when these start to drop #TriumphantTales
Ah I miss three naps a day! X
Great tips. My 3 year old never naps and honestly, I’ve given up attempting to work while she’s home. She does go to nursery 3 afternoons a week though which is perfect! Ha. I think I might try setting up a dedicated workspace like you suggested. That way I can just get back to it instead of having to get everything out again. That would be a lot more productive. ? #TriumphantTales
I find it so much easier now I have a desk! X
I always find doing work from home to be impossible unless my son is napping or sleeping. I usually do all my filming video editing, blogging, etc while he is sleeping but I need to use some of your tips #GlobalBlogging
It’s so hard isn’t it! X
Boy oh boy! I feel the struggle! These are really great tips! I get my husband to go over and edit my posts while I play with the girls! #blogstravaganza
Oh he sounds like a keeper! X
Ouch! When that nap goes it must be hard! When I’m home with the baby I get most of my blogging stuff done during nap time. Other than that I do a little in the evening (still like to go to bed early though) and get up around 5am
I like my sleep too, I’m missing it so much! Xx
Good tips. I’ve found being more realistic about what I can actually achieve really helps too. When my to-do list is neverending it’s so disheartening that it makes me less productive. #blogstravaganza
I’m definitely not a fan of the huge to-do list! X
It’s a sad day when the naps cease. The end of an era some might say! #blogstravaganza
I’m so going to miss them! X
Popping back – thanks for sharing at #TriumphantTales, hope to see you again tomorrow.
Thankyou x
I currently work full time, but I’ll remember these tips for my next maternity leave when I’m trying to get some blogging done with a toddler and a baby to wrangle! Thanks for sharing!
#Blogstravaganza
Hope it helps! X
Ahhhh naptimes. I remember them well. Oh well, everything must come to an end! #blogstravaganza
I’m still in mourning! x
This is basically my life at the moment! Zach has stopped having any naps plus he wakes a few times a night. My only time to work and blog is at night but I’m often too exhausted and want to get some sleep before he wakes. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
It’s so challenging when it’s a choice between work and catching up on much needed sleep! X
popping back from #blogstravaganza: really struggling to work this week as Zach has me up most of the night and my mum in law is staying!
Bless you, I hope things get easier soon x
My youngest stopped his afternoon naps around Christmas. I’m definitely noticing the difference to how productive I feel! Planning through my deadlines and managing small chunks everyday seems to be working though… for now 😉 #Blogstravaganza
It makes this so much more difficult! It’s rare I feel on top of things these days! Xx
I’ve always wondered how parents of young children fit in blogging around them. If I have my nephew (4) I literally get nothing done at all. I am lucky my daughter is at th stage where spending time with me is a low priority so I get plenty of time to work whilst she’s at school and upstairs avoiding me! #blogstravaganza
It’s definitely a challenge! Ah I have all of that to come! X
Yes to this, have been know to work late but like the idea of activity blocks – get the beat of both worlds X #Blogstravaganza
It definitely helps! X
I’m with you on this! Completely agree with having a ‘quiet time’ to replace naps, everyone needs a re-charge and some time (to blog!) A tad jealous of your previous 2.5 hour breaks though!! #blogstravaganza
I miss them so much! X
These are great tips, my daughter has recently decided that sleep is for the weak and will no longer nap! #blogstravaganza
It’s definitely the end of an era! X
I’ve one that naps and another that doesn’t. Finding time to blog certainly can be a challenge but where there’s a will there’s a way hey. #TriumphantTales
So true! X
Returning via #Blogstravaganza
Great tips it must be so difficult to work with the littles one wanting your attention. #Blogstravaganza
It’s often challenging! X
Just popping back from #blogstravaganza
Thankyou x
Some good advic ehere. I never worked from home when my daughter is small but can imagine it’s a bit of a nightmare at times! #Blogstravaganza
It has it’s moments, haha! X
I’m concerned about how I’ll cope with blogging and the twins AND Ben, luckily my MIL will still have Ben some days to help me get my head around newborn twins and also she knows blogging will be my job once I return from maternity leave.
I agree about easy tasks when they’re refusing to nap and night time work for me isnt too much of an issue as im used to blogging mainly at night… lets just hope the twins have a good adjustment to the nighttime routine! #blogstravaganza
You’ll nail it I’m sure. I find it’s all about routine! X