As the global pandemic has spread at a rapid pace, social distancing policies have forced people to stay home. Moreover, many have also witnessed a shift in their working pattern as they are now required to work from their homes. Many parents are struggling to balance this new lifestyle. They are now obliged to work with their kids around all the time. Here are some pro tips for parents to work productively from home with their kids around.
Tips to Work From Home With Kids
Establish Communication With Your Partner
It is vital to communicate your needs and expectations to your partner, while simultaneously taking care of kids and working from home. Make sure that both of you are on the same page by establishing clear communication.
Hiring Help
If you are a parent and also really need to work, you may have to hire an extra pair of hands. Many parents who do their work from home frequently hire help from outside to help with their chores. However, there are techniques to cut the costs of hiring external help for taking care of your kids. Partners can adjust their working schedules, if possible to take turns in caring for children. You can also swap babysitting with your friends and acquaintances to help each other out, without having to spend on an extra pair of hands.
Websites such as Care.com or Sittercity allow parents to hire nannies to take care of their children. These sites allow work-at-home parents to split their expenses for babysitting by hiring a babysitter. This can significantly save some money. In addition to that, your kids will also have some quality time to spend with other kids.
Take Advantage of Nap Time
You can take advantage of nap times for your children in order to work without interruptions from home. Naps will provide a couple of hours for the parent to completely focus on their work. Schedule your tasks to synchronize with the daily nap pattern of your children. It is recommended to complete tasks that require lesser focus and attention when your child is awake. When they are asleep, complete tasks that require a high-priority and challenging task.
Quiet Play Time
Quiet playtime is an alternative for kids who are too old to take naps. Make your kids spend their time with their favorite toys for a while and use this time for your work. Additionally, you can create a boredom box that includes crayons, drawing paper, sketch pens, colors, handcraft kits, etc. These boredom boxes can be lifesavers for your work. This will also nurture creativity within your kids.
Organize Your Home Office
Always try to keep your things organized and accessible. This will speed up your workflow, as you do not have to waste your time searching for your things. Investing time with your kids is vital for maintaining a quality relationship with your family. Do not get caught up in work and forget to spend some time with your kids.
