Working from home is something more of us are doing now than ever before.
It can be a great thing. It offers a certain amount of freedom in our workday, it means we can multitask more easily, and it means we can look after our children during the workday too.
But while this last advantage is indeed very helpful and money-saving, it is also something that is occasionally pretty difficult to manage.
Sometimes the workday is tough enough without having to look after multiple children at the same time. Even one child can make it much more challenging.
If this is the position you currently find yourself in, we have a couple of tips to help you get through it as painlessly as possible.
We can’t take all your stress away, unfortunately, but we can offer some tidbits of advice that might make your week just a little bit easier.
Create boundaries and work-only zones
In order for you to get your work done successfully, you will need to set clear boundaries with your children on when you are available and where in the house needs to be for work only.
Constant interruptions throughout your workday will only keep you distracted the whole time and this won’t allow you to get any work done.
As long as your children are old enough to be left alone for short periods of time, try and reinforce with them that when you are actively working you can’t be disturbed, and when you are in a work-only zone, you can’t be disturbed.
While it might feel harsh at first, it is the only way to make sure that you get work done. It will also help you enjoy the free time you do have with them during break time when you are available to talk, help and play.
It’s all about balance and about managing your day between your two priorities.
Plan bonding time for breaks and after work
On that note, it is important that you proactively plan time to be present with your children when you have time during the workday.
During your breaks and straight after work, be fully away from your laptop and work phone, and take time to be present with your children.
When you are working at home all day and you are concentrating on work, while this is completely fair and something you absolutely have to do, it can make your children feel a little lonely and neglected.
To counteract this, make sure they have things to look forward to with you when you get off work. This will keep them happy and looking forward throughout the day and it will help cut down on interruptions and potential tantrums.
It’s important to think of the day from your child’s or children’s point of view too and imagine how they must be feeling in the situation.
Our work is important but it isn’t more important than our children and we have to keep that in mind.
As we said, it is all about balance.
Having a successful working from home time with children is all about making sure everyone’s needs are met and everyone’s points of view are considered.
Once that is done, everything should run much more smoothly.
