Many parents currently find themselves working from home because of the coronavirus pandemic. If you have kids who are also at home, it can be a struggle to stay productive with a constant stream of distractions being thrown at you. The tips below will help you manage kids while working from home.
Communicate With Your Employer
It’s much better to be clear with your employer upfront about what your schedule is going to be like while your kids are home than to pretend nothing has changed. Be friendly and ensure your boss that you’ll do your best to attend all meetings, etc., but you may be detained sometimes because you are caring for a child at home. Your employer and coworkers will likely understand and give you some flexibility in your schedule.
Create a Schedule
Every parent knows that no day goes completely according to plan, but creating a schedule will keep your life from descending into complete chaos. If your children are old enough to watch themselves for a few hours at a time, set designated work or office hours for yourself where they aren’t allowed to go into your workspace unless they have an emergency. This will give you pockets of work time that aren’t interrupted with snack requests and fights about who stole the TV remote.
If your children can’t safely be left alone, set a schedule for yourself and offer some more flexibility in your day. Try to schedule work meetings around naps or eating time when possible, and be transparent with your coworkers about what your day is looking like.
Have Realistic Expectations
Working from home with a teenager is much different than working from home with a newborn. Don’t expect to sit for eight hours straight (or even 30 minutes straight) with minimal distractions if you’re caring for one or more young children. You may only be able to deliver a couple of task items per day, and that’s okay. Even if you have older kids at home, remember that they are dependent on you and you won’t be able to have the same productivity that you did at the office.
Consider An Early Start
Waking up at dawn doesn’t sound ideal, but it could very well be the only quiet time you get during the day. Many parents choose to wake up an hour or two before their children to take advantage of uninterrupted silence for a little while. This can be a great time to answer emails, schedule work calls, or complete other tasks that will be difficult to complete while your children are awake.