6 Hot Tips for Mums Juggling Family Life and Home Renovation

Taking on a home renovation while managing a busy family life can feel like a juggling act of epic proportions.

It can be messy, time-consuming, and let’s face it, downright stressful at times. But I’ve been there, done that, and survived to tell the tale—several times over! 🙂

So, if you’re a working mum who’s taking on the challenge of renovating your house, here’s your ultimate guide to help you balance both.

 

Why You Don’t Need to Put Life on Hold for a Home Renovation

Most of us mums already wear multiple hats. We’re professionals, carers, household superheros, and the list goes on! Adding home renovation into the mix can seem crazy to be adding yet another plate to spin.

But here’s the secret:

You don’t need to stop living your life to make your reno dream a reality. It’s all about setting the right expectations, planning ahead, and knowing when to ask for help.

Let’s dig into some practical strategies I use to help manage your renovation without losing your sanity—or your family time.

 

Set Realistic Expectations (and Lower Them When Necessary!)

The first step in managing both your home life and renovation project is setting realistic expectations. Renovations are notorious for going over budget, over time, and over your stress threshold. Factor this in from the beginning so when things get chaotic (and they will), you’re mentally prepared.

1. Time is your biggest asset. Be realistic about how long the renovation will take. If you think you’ll be done in three months, double that (mentally). Trust me, life happens and it can really help to be mentally prepared for delays.
2. Be flexible. Kids get sick, materials are delayed, and tradies don’t always show up on time. It’s part of the deal. When the unexpected happens, go easy on yourself and pivot.
3. Perfection is a myth. Your reno doesn’t need to look like a magazine cover straight away. Progress is more important than perfection when you’re renovating as you build up your skillset and knowledge through action.

 

Build a Support System: It Takes a Village (or at Least a Couple of Great Friends)

You might be superwoman, but even superheroes need backup. Balancing family, work, and a home renovation requires a solid support network.

• Delegate tasks. Not every decision or action in the renovation process needs to go through you. Whether it’s managing school pick-ups or supervising trades, hand off whatever you can. Lean on your partner, family members, or a trusted friend to step in when you’re juggling too much.
• Hire help where needed. If it’s within your budget (hint: it should be), hire help for tasks like cleaning or child-minding during the most intense renovation periods. Yes, you may be renovating your house yourself to save and make money, but your sanity is more important.
• Communicate with your family. Keep your kids and partner in the loop about the renovation timeline. Prepare them for the disruptions ahead so everyone’s on board and less likely to resent the upheaval.

 

Time Management Like a Boss

You’re already balancing work, school runs, and play dates. Now that you’re adding a home renovation into the mix, it’s time to kick your time-management skills into gear!

1. Prioritise wisely. Manage your time in blocks. Focus on essential tasks first—whether that’s family time or major renovation decisions. Always leave some buffer for things to go off track (because they will!).
2. Batch similar tasks together. Got to select tiles? Choose your paint at the same time. If you’re meeting with tradies, arrange them back-to-back so you’re not wasting time going back and forth.
3. Use weekends strategically. The weekends can be your reno lifeline in getting through those longer jobs—like creative selection or DIY work—when you have more flexibility. But make sure to schedule family downtime too. You don’t want to spend your entire Saturday stressing over flooring!

 

Keep the Kids Involved (to a Point)

Renovating your house with kids is a balancing act in itself. Some mums keep the little ones as far away from the mess as possible, while others involve them in the process. Whichever approach works for your family, there’s always a way to keep things running smoothly.

• Make it a fun learning experience. If they’re old enough, involve your kids in the decision-making process. Let them pick paint colours for their rooms or choose décor for the family spaces. It keeps them excited about the changes and makes the renovation less stressful for everyone.
• Safe spaces are non-negotiable. Plan out and create renovation-free zones where your kids can play and unwind without stepping over piles of tools or buckets of paint. This keeps their routine as normal as possible.
• Make plans for the messy stages. When things get chaotic—like during demolition or big installs—send the kids to grandma’s, or better yet, plan a weekend away for a break from the noise.

 

Don’t Skimp on Self-Care when Renovating your House (Super Important!)

 Look, I get it—self-care is often the first thing to fly out the window when you’re knee-deep in home renovations. But here’s the thing: you can’t pour from an empty cup.

• Schedule downtime. Whether it’s a bath, a coffee with a friend, or a night off, ensure that you have something to look forward to each week. The more you take care of yourself, the more you can give to your family and the project.
• Outsource where you can. It’s not cheating to hire a professional to handle aspects of the renovation. Whether it’s a project manager, a painter, or a cleaner, it can save you heaps of time and stress and get you through to the end!

 

Celebrate Small Wins

Every step in your home renovation deserves a pat on the back. Finished tiling the bathroom? Celebrate with a movie night! Managed to keep the kitchen functional during a remodel? That’s worth some takeout and wine.

Small wins keep you motivated and help the family feel involved in the progress. Even better, it keeps things light-hearted and fun amidst the chaos.

 

Home Renovation: The Endgame

Whether you’re a mum embarking on renovating your house for simply better living or as a long-term strategy for building wealth, it’s about smart investing.

When done right, home renovation can offer a financial asset boost for your family and open doors to bigger and better opportunities.

• Know your market. Before your renovation, study your local housing market to make sure your renovation choices will add value to the property.
• Learn from every project. Each renovation is a learning experience. Use each project to refine your skills and increase lifestyle benefits and profitability on the next one.

 

Keep Calm and Reno On

Yes, juggling a home renovation with family life is tough, but it’s not impossible. With some realistic expectations, a solid support system, and great time management, you’ll come out on the other side with a gorgeous home (and maybe even a few new skills!). Remember, the key is progress, not perfection, so don’t sweat the small stuff.

Good luck, mums! You’ve got this.