A Day in My Life: Coding, Parenting, and Staying Sane as a Remote Developer

Mitzie Hall
Feb 21
3 min read

Working from home as a developer while raising kids isn’t just about writing clean code — it’s about surviving snack emergencies, negotiating screen time, and debugging CSS while your mini-me asks, “Can we build a robot today?”

As a self-taught developer and parent to a spirited 6-year-old, my days are a mix of focused sprints, creative distractions, and the occasional LEGO-induced timeout. Here’s how I carve out time for code, chaos, and connection.

My Non-Negotiables

Time-Blocking: I guard my work hours like a hawk guarding its nest.
Independent Play = Sacred Work Time: Structured activities keep my kids engaged while I code.
Guilt-Free Flexibility: Some days, work starts at dawn. Others, it happens after bedtime.

The Schedule: Code, Kids, and Controlled Chaos

7:00 AM — Morning Momentum

Coffee + Kid Fuel: Breakfast prep doubles as caffeine intake. Pro tip: Batch-make pancakes on Sundays!
STEAM Sneak Attack: My kid “helps” debug my code (read: mashes the keyboard) while I explain what I’m building. Today’s lesson: “Why does the website turn blue when I click this?”

9:30 AM — Work Block 1: Independent Play = Productivity

What I Do: Tackle high-focus tasks (writing APIs, debugging).
Use VS Code’s Split Screen to multitask (code on the left, toddler art project inspo on the right).
Deploy updates via Warp Terminal (referral link here for AI command shortcuts).
Kid Activity: Structured creative time — think LEGO challenges or educational apps like Khan Academy Kids.

12:00 PM — Lunch Break (and Negotiations)

Sandwich Diplomacy: “Yes, you can have extra strawberries… after I finish this PR review.”
Sneaky Learning: My kid practices math by “counting” how many times I sigh while fixing responsive layouts.
Pro Tip: Food prep saves my sanity!

2:00 PM — Work Block 2: Collaborative Coding

Pair Programming (Parent Edition): My kid “designs” UI elements in Figma (translation: draws buttons in crayon).
What I Do: Refactor code, reply to emails, or record loom tutorials.
Use Trello to track both work tasks and “build a cardboard spaceship” projects.

4:30 PM — The Witching Hour Survival Kit

Outdoor Reset: Bike rides or sidewalk chalk art to decompress.
Guilty Secret: I brainstorm API endpoints while pushing swings.

7:30 PM — Work Block 3: The After-Bedtime Grind

Ninja Mode Activated: Post-bedtime, I crush 1–2 hours of:
Learning new frameworks (currently SvelteKit).
Writing blog posts (hi, Medium friends!).
Networking on Twitter/X (follow me for chaos-fueled dev tips)

Tools That Keep Me Sane

Pomodoro Timer: 25-minute sprints with breaks for snack refills and LEGO rescues.
Miro Board: Visualize workflows and plan kid-friendly projects.
Noise-Canceling Headphones: For when “Let It Go” plays on loop… an endless, forever loop.

The Real Talk

Some Days, Code Loses: I’ve canceled meetings because of impromptu tea parties.
Progress > Perfection: My side project has a “debug later” list longer than a CVS receipt.
Kids Are the Ultimate QA Testers: They’ll find every UI bug… and then some.

Tips for Working Parents

Batch Tasks: Group emails, laundry, and code reviews into themed blocks.
Turn Work into Play: Let your kid “test” your portfolio site (their feedback: “Needs more dinosaurs”).
Embrace the Mess: Your desk will have sticky notes, crayons, and USB cables. This is fine.

Final Thought: Work, Kids, and the Art of Adaptation

Remote work as a parent isn’t about perfect balance — it’s about pivoting. Some days, I ship features. Others, I’m duct-taping a broken robot arm. But every day, I’m teaching my kid that problems are just puzzles waiting to be solved… one line of code (or glitter glue) at a time.

Remember: You’re not just building apps — you’re building a childhood. What’s your go-to trick for staying focused with kids at home? Share below! 👇