Top Tools for the Working Homeschool Mom

The right tool for the right job just makes life easier! This is true of every area of life. If you can make a task easier to face, quicker to do, save time, and money or even just make it more enjoyable, well why not?

I asked working homeschool moms this question so I could create the top tools for the working homeschool mom list. Here is the question:

“What are the tools that you use and love? I mean for you, not your kids or homeschool but like for you to function and go or do work?

What would your top *I MUST HAVE THIS* be?”

And the results are in! Let’s check it out.

Top Tools for the Working Homeschool Mom

While we may love and use these top tools, everyone must make their own choices. I’m sharing direct links to Amazon if I am able so that you can read the reviews and check it out for yourself.

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Top Tools For The Kitchen:

• Crock Pot or Slow Cooker: Everyone loves a home-cooked meal. Cooking said meal not so much. Thus the top of the list was the beloved and much-used crock pot. (Pst! Need 10 tips and a few recipes? Check this post here)
• Coffee Maker: Here is the one thing I look for in a coffee maker, it must have a timer so I can preset it for the morning. The other thing is the “sneak a cup” feature when I don’t want to wait and easily clean but of course.
• Keurig or Tassimo Machines: I have a single-brew Keurig and I agree with these ladies that it is an irreplaceable tool. When I am home and don’t want to bother boiling water for tea or making a whole pot of coffee this is what I turn to.
• Instant Pot: This awesome kitchen tool is picking up popularity with the ability to help busy families get food on the table quickly and easily. If you just picked one up, be sure to check out my getting started guide. This guide is filled with recipes, tricks, and tips to get your Instant Pot out of the box and get you cooking!
• Mini blenders: A favorite of anyone on the run. After all, these little blenders are fast, powerful and easy to clean. They allow you to take your breakfast with you, zip up smoothies for afternoon snacks, and sneak veggies into picky eaters.

Crock-pot Express Crock Slow Cooker, 8 quart, RedHamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings, Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Glass Lid, Stainless Steel (33140G)Proctor Silex FrontFill Drip Coffee Maker, Digital & Programmable, 12 Cup Glass Carafe, Black and Silver (43685PS)Bosch TAS4702UC Tassimo T47 Beverage System and Coffee BrewerKeurig K-Slim Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Multistream Technology, 3 Brew Sizes, Slim and Sleek Design, 46oz Removable Reservoir, BlackInstant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 8 QuartKOIOS Smoothie Blender, 900W Personal Blender for Shakes and Smoothies Kitchen with 2 No-BPA 22oz Portable Blender Cups, Single Serve Smoothies Maker Mixer for Juices, Nutritious Recipe (Grey Blue)

 

Food and Drink

• Coffee/Tea Travel Mugs: Hands down my absolute need. I have recently been given this travel mug shown below.

I can not tell you how much I love how easy it is to clean, keeps drinks hot for hours and doesn’t spill on the move. Love it! 

• Loose tea: Getting a big shout out from tired stressed-out moms is loose tea for relaxation. Some favorites are Sleepy Time, Cold 911, White Chocolate with Sweet Almond Green and Le Digestif just to name a few.
• Tea Ball/Mug: These are needed for loose tea or you can use a coffee press.
• Lunch Bags: Brown bagging saves money, is healthier, and allows you to take care of any dietary needs. When searching for your bag make sure they are easy to clean. They no longer have to be boring either, mine is uber practical (hello?!) but you can get super cute and colorful ones as well.
• Food Storage Containers: YES! I love mine, the Lego for adults set is awesome but really anything that seals tight and keeps your food cold will work. Again, easy to clean, dishwasher, microwave safe and BPA free should also be on your list.

Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug with AUTOSEAL Lid, 16oz., Stainless Steel/BlackDAVIDsTEA David’s Top Teas Sampler, Loose Leaf Tea Gift Set, Assortment of 12 Fan Favourite Teas, 109 g / 3.8 ozStainless Steel Mesh Tea Infuser, 2.1 inch Tea Ball with Honey Bee Pendant Tea Strainer Tea Diffuser Tea Steeper for Filtering Tea,Tea Infusers for Loose Tea (Bee, 2PC)Femuar Reusable Lunch Box for Men/Women – Insulated Lunch Bag Leakproof Lunchbox for Work Office Picnic Beach – Freezable Lunch Cooler Bag with Adjustable Shoulder Strap – BlackKate Spade New York Portable Soft Cooler Lunch Bag with Silver Insulated Interior Lining and Storage Pocket, Floral GardenVtopmart 8 Pack Glass Food Storage Containers , Meal Prep , Airtight Bento Boxes with Leak Proof Locking Lids, for Microwave, Oven, Freezer and Dishwasher, BPA Free

 

Work Equipment:

While a computer (either desktop and laptop) are pretty much a given for those working online, the needed tools to make them that much more efficient are not always the first to come to mind.

1 Computer Cooling Fan– Perfect little tool especially for laptops that tend to overheat and want to crash. This is my current one which is awesome because you don’t lose a USB port and you don’t need to plug it in. It is also super quiet. Noise matters.

2 Microphone –  For those who create videos or podcasts this little thing is pretty much a must have. A neat tip I learned from a video course is that you can use the one on your earbuds cord if you need to. They work pretty well in a pinch. The overall current viewpoint is that the Blue Yeti is the best. I can not say either way as I just picked up one at a local shop.

3 Lap desks– for laptop users this was a must-have item allowing you to work pretty much anywhere. Although no one mentioned a favorite they did say to be sure it has enough space for your computer, notebook and a slip-free top. Apparently, there were some computers going sliding off, bad idea!

4 Cell phones – Absolutely a must have as they take amazing photos, allow you to keep on top of social media and records any thoughts and ideas throughout the day. As a busy mom, the first thing I invest in is a cell phone case, my otter box has saved my phone so many times. I kid you not!

5 Tablets– Not the top of the list but many moms can not do their work without them. Most find it more convenient for work on the go than a laptop and it can pretty much do everything a computer can. Everyone seemed to have an idea on their favorite type so basically get one and use it. I love using my I-Pad for Facebook Live so I don’t need to squint at the messages.

Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim Ultra-Slim Laptop Cooling Pad with 160mm Fan (R9-NBC-XSLI-GP),Black X-SlimBlue Microphones Yeti Blackout USB Microphone Bundle with Desktop Boom Arm Microphone Stand, Closed-Back Studio Monitor Headphones and Pop Filter (4 Items)ZEAPTAC Portable Lap Laptop Desk with Pillow Cushion, Fits up to 15.6 inch Laptop, Lap Stand for Bed & Couch & Carpet, Book Tablet/Drawing Board/Computer Laptop Stand – Dark Brown Wood

 

Personal Items:

 

1. Elf Primer– No one has time to redo their makeup and this one is a hit for smoothing everything out and keeping your makeup in place. Think, fix it and forget it style!
2. Face/Body Cream– Busy moms say they don’t have time to deal with dry skin, breakouts, and other nuisances. They recommend keeping a favorite cream somewhere you won’t forget to use it like your nightstand or bathroom.
3. Bubble Bath – A “me time” favorite is a bubble bath. Great for de-stressing and relaxing after a hard day working. It is recommended to hide your favorites from the little ones.

There you have just a few of our favorite things to keep life moving. Which one if your favorite?

Let me know!

Take care, 

Jen

PS. Planners are another favorite tool that everyone needed and loved. You can find those listed here, awesome planners for your working homeschool life!