While some parents see it as the dream scenario, others see it as their worst nightmare: working from home with children around. If you have been ordered to work from home due to COVID-19, or you’re a freelancer, staying productive with your workload while your children run riot can be a challenge, although it isn’t impossible.
We think that if you have the right measures in place, any parent can work from home while looking after the kids. If you don’t believe us, here are some tips that can help.
Designate a Workspace
Although it may be tempting to grab your laptop and do some work in the kitchen while overseeing the kids, you need to have full concentration on your work to do the best job. This means that you need to find a designated workspace in your home that can be blocked off from your kids. If you’re the only one looking after your children, you must let them know that you need some alone time to get your work done.
Communicate with Your Partner
If you have a partner, you must communicate with them about your situation to find the best resolution. If you both work from home, take it in turns to keep an eye on the kids. Teamwork makes the dream work, so if you feel your partner isn’t pulling their weight, you need to speak up and let your feelings be heard. For those who have toddlers, tantrums are inevitable, so if you’re really struggling to stay motivated with work, you may benefit from your partner taking them out for a couple of hours to give you some peace and quiet.
Be Flexible with Your Work
For those working from home and looking after young kids, there’s no way you’ll be able to work 9-5 without any distractions. This means that you need to be more flexible with your workload. If you’re in a full-time job, you may find that your employer is more lenient with you, meaning you can create a schedule that works around the kids. Some parents decide to make a full transition to flexible work with providers like Shiftsmart, allowing you to pick and choose shifts that suit your schedule.
Invest Time in Your Children
Understandably, when you’re working from home and hear your children playing, there will be times where you want to join in on the fun. The best thing about being at home is you can do it! 5 minutes here and there to have some fun with the kids will not only benefit them but boost your spirits too. Realistically, you’re not going to be confined to your office for eight solid hours without a break, so make sure you spend some much-needed quality time with your kids.
With millions of parents now working from home than ever before, keeping on top of your work while ensuring your children are well looked after can be challenging. Therefore, referring to our guide above can help you find the perfect work-life balance.
