Working from home is becoming the norm for many people. And even if it’s only on a part-time basis if you have kids and they are home from school or not older enough to go to school yet. Those days that you’re working from home can be harder than they need to be. Instead of just having to contend with the work you have to do, you also need to take care of your children. It’s certainly challenging, but it’s not impossible to manage. You just need to plan ahead first. Read on to find out how to manage to work from home when you have kids.
Schedule Kid Time
One of the reasons why children might misbehave when you are trying to get your work done is that they feel as though they are being ignored. And they are acting up so they can get your attention. They want to feel secure and be seen by you, and if that means doing something naughty, that’s what they’ll do.
If you make sure that you break the day up so that you schedule time for your children as well as for your work. They will feel less inclined to disturb you when you ask them not to. Try to have breakfast together, for example, and spend some time with them before your workday begins. You can even use this time to set out the plan for the day so they know when they need to play by themselves and when they can play with you.
Adjust Your Schedule
If you have a flexible work schedule that means you aren’t on the clock at set times. You will be able to adjust your schedule to match that of your child’s, if they are awake and want to play, you can do that. If they are taking a nap, you can work. If they are content to play by themselves colouring or watching TV for a short time, you can work that into your schedule too. Also, if you have a congested newborn who needs a little more attention than usual, that shouldn’t be a problem either.
Not all jobs allow for this level of flexibility and if it’s really going to be a problem and you want to be able to devote time to your kids as well as your work. It might be worth searching for a job that will allow you to be more flexible when you need to be. The work-life balance is so important that no job is worth causing problems for yourself or your children over.
Have A Defined Workspace
You might not have a specific office space in your home, especially if you don’t work remotely all the time or if your property isn’t large enough to accommodate it. Just because you don’t have a room to yourself, however, that doesn’t mean that you should be interrupted at all times. When you are working there should be clear boundaries put in place. You should establish those boundaries as soon as possible. Showing anyone who lives with you (including but not limited to your children) that your defined work area exists.
It’s important that everyone knows that when you’re in that area, you should only be disturbed for emergencies. To make it easier for you to concentrate, you can also invest in some noise-cancelling headphones (these are especially useful if you have no door you can close. Or you prefer to be able to see what your children are doing even when you’re working).
Work In Short Bursts
Working in short bursts but being as productive as possible during that working time can be a great way to work from home when you have children. Especially when you have a baby. Since babies sleep for two to three hours and then wake needing to be fed or have their diaper changed. You can work when the little one is sleeping and then take a break when they wake up.
Although you may need to start earlier and work later to get everything done when you add up the hours you’re working. They’re likely to be the same as if you worked right the way through without the longer breaks. So it’s not a bad way to do things and it means you can be there for your baby and complete your work on time too.
Stop The Kids Getting Bored
As well as looking for attention, sometimes children act up or distract you because they are bored. If you know you’re going to be at home working while they are off school, try to arrange some activities in advance. So that they are occupied for the hours you need to be working.
Although this will involve some organization on your part and some extra work before your own can start. The peace and quiet it can give you is priceless. For example, you might, set up some science experiments (safely, of course) that the children can enjoy and learn from. You might ask them to read a book and then talk to them about it afterward.
Perhaps you’ll start a jigsaw puzzle for them and then time them to see how long it takes them to finish it. There are many different ideas, and as long as you look for a couple of new ones each day. The children will enjoy the time they have to themselves while you’re working, and everyone will be happy.
Embrace Healthy Screen Time
Parents are often made to feel bad, even guilty if they allow their children to watch TV or play video games. However, it’s not all bad, and it can even be good when done healthily. Moderation is the key. A whole day in front of the screen is as bad for a child as it is for an adult (which is fairly bad). But an hour or so when you really need to get some work finished and they have behaved well and deserve it can be ideal.
This is even more true if you ensure they are watching an educational show or playing educational games but you don’t have to do this. A short time watching cartoons is a good way to relax and certainly won’t do any harm. As long as you’re keeping an eye on the time.
Take Care Of Your Mental Health
Being a working parent is hard as it is, but when you add working from home with children to the mix then it’s even harder. If you need some time out from work (or a break from the kids), this is not something you should be worried about. It’s a good idea to keep your mental health as a priority. And if you feel that things are getting on top of you, know what to do about it.
It might be something as simple as going for a walk to clear your head (with the children if need be – and this is good for everyone). Or you might want to take some time off work to reschedule and regroup. Whatever you need to do you must do it. Otherwise, your family life and your work itself will suffer, and you will be caught in the middle feeling bad.
Use The Weekends
If you plan things out carefully (which is a skill every parent will come to understand). Then you can use the time you have at the weekends to ensure the rest of the week goes smoothly.
For example, if you have some work to catch up on, then you might choose to do it at the weekend when your partner is home to take care of the kids. Or when they have a playdate and you have the house to yourself. Perhaps you’ll take the opportunity to batch cook and freeze meals for the week, saving you time when it comes to feeding your family. You could even research some activities for the children to take part in during the week.
Hire A Nanny
It might feel a little extravagant to hire a nanny, or even to get a babysitter, but it may also be the best thing you ever do. Even if the entire idea of finding a job that allowed you to work from home was so you could be there for your children. If the combination of work and kids is hard sometimes. Then you must do something about it, and that something might be hiring some form of help.
When you have a nanny in your home, whether it’s someone who lives with you or someone who is used on an ad-hoc basis (or anything in between). You know you can work while your children are completely taken care of. When you have completed your tasks for the day, you can leave your office behind you, and go and spend time with your children.
Conclusion
You may even be able to find someone who can tidy up your home for you too. Meaning that you really don’t have to worry about a thing.
Yes, this will cost you money. But if it means you can do everything and your children are happy and contented, then it will be money well spent.
- How to Successfully Work From Home When You Have Kids
- 5 Kids Chores Tips to Help Parents Around the House
- How to Organize Kids Toys in Your Living Room
