More and more people are working from home all the time. While most industries see greater productivity from remote workers, working remotely can definitely be challenging when you have young children at home. Not only do they require a lot of your attention, but being in the same space throughout the day without breaks can be draining. Try some of these tips to help you maintain your sanity and your productivity while working from home with little ones.
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Stick to a Schedule
Maintaining a schedule for yourself is a great first step to being productive at home. If you have some flexibility in your work hours, this is even simpler. Alternate work time, when your child can be engaged doing activities that require minimal supervision, with playtime, to engage your kids and give your own brain a break. While it’s tempting to work through naptime, don’t underestimate the importance of having a bit of downtime for yourself, too. Your schedule doesn’t have to be rigid — it can simply be the order of activities for the day that helps activities flow smoothly.
Dress for Success
A flexible wardrobe that goes from business to casual in a beat is beneficial. Leggings are comfortable for sitting and rolling on the floor and are generally out of view in a video call. You can work while in pajamas if you wish, perhaps with a nice blouse nearby in case you need to be seen from the waist up on an unexpected video call. No matter what you’re wearing though, if you’re a nursing mom, invest in a comfortable nursing bra to make nursing or pumping a simple affair.
Set Up Your Workspace
Having a specific area for work is important for many reasons. First, when you’re in that space, it’s a signal to others in your house that you’re “at work” and not to be disturbed. It also helps you with your own work/life balance by having a place to leave your work behind at the end of the day. Keep this space as free of distractions as possible, have a sight line to the children if you’re keeping an eye on them yourself, and have all the things you need for working at hand, such as outlets, a printer, pens, and paper.
Get Some Help
When you have a deadline looming or a large project, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Many day cares have drop-in programs, where you don’t have to stick to a specific schedule. You can also call on friends and family to watch the kids for you while you take time to focus on something important at work. Remember, it takes a village.
It Can Be Done!
It’s definitely possible to work from home as a parent. This presents specific challenges, but those are easily overcome by following these tips and making sure you do your best to stay healthy and follow a plan.
Written by Janice Russell
Janice believes the only way to survive parenthood is to find the humor in it. She created Parenting Disasters so that parents would have a go-to resource whenever they needed a laugh, but also to show parents they aren’t alone. She wants every frazzled parent out there to remember that for every kid stuck in a toilet, there’s another one out there somewhere who’s just graced their parents’ walls with some Sharpie artwork!
Contact Janice at janice.russell@parentingdisasters.com
Janice’s website: ParentingDisasters.com
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