Working from home has become a new norm in today’s time. For some parents, it is a boon as they get to work and be with their kids throughout the day, but for some, it gets difficult to focus on the work with their kids wailing in the background. If you are also one such parent, then here are some tips that can make your work-from-home journey with kids a breeze.
1. Be a early-morning person
One of the best ways to get your work done from home is to get up as early as possible, hours before kids are up for the day. Tackle your big projects first, which require a lot of thinking or creativity, and then plan the rest of the work around your toddler’s activities. Even if you are not a morning person, do your best to wake up 2 hours at least before your child to complete the important tasks first. This will set your tone for the rest of the day.
2. Split Up the Duties
If you and your spouse are working from home, then it’s best to split up the baby’s duties for easy workflow. Let your spouse play with the child for a few hours while you focus on your work uninterrupted. Switch the roles after a while. If you can, hire a nanny or a help for a few hours to keep the child engaged. This way you can complete your office work on time, and the child will also remain occupied. It’s a win-win for both.
3. Ask For Help From Parents
If your parents stay nearby, ask them for help. Ask them to come to your place for a few hours to play with their grandchild. You can even drop your kids to your parent’s place every now and then for a change in routine. In such cases, do pack your toddler’s favorite snacks, toys, and extra clothes to make it easier for your parents to look after your child. You can even ask your responsible siblings for help.
4. Create a Schedule
For yourself and your kid. Start with enforcing a nap time for your kids, especially during noon. A good 2-3 hours of sleep in the afternoon will not only help in their overall development but will also make them less cranky in the evening. Once you create a sleeping pattern, take advantage by creating your work schedule around that time, like taking calls, attending meetings over Skype, and so on.
5. Encourage Independent Play
Toddlers love to play, sing, dance, draw, and color. So observe what your kid loves doing the most and encourage them for the same. Give them some tasks for the day, like learning a song, practicing a dance step, practicing scribble, and so on while you catch up with the work. Also, keep other activities ready in hand to keep them occupied for long. Try to set up their activity spot near your work area to make your little ones feel safe.
And do not rush to work immediately after your kid wakes up. Try to spend some quality time together or do some activity together before heading back to your workstation. This will make the child feel important and less needy throughout the day, making your work from home with kids an easy journey.
You can also read 5 Ways to Help Kids Cope-Up With Academic Stress
