Working from home always requires an adjustment period. You have to learn how to juggle your responsibilities without a traditional office environment. Add parenting to the mix and it’s a lot to handle. These are 10 things all work-from-home parents need to know about balancing their roles while maintaining their professional lives.
1. Schedule Your Housework
It’s challenging to power through emails or meetings when you’re surrounded by piles of dirty dishes and laundry. Schedule your housework so it’s not a workday distraction. Do what you can after hours or on the weekends to minimize the urge to tidy up while you’re on the clock.
You could even do housework in blocks, like setting aside thirty minutes each day to do what you can. Even if you don’t get everything done, you’ll still feel better about what you accomplished.
2. Playing Office Might Help
Younger kids might try to pull you away from work because they want to spend time together. Let them play office next to you so they’re part of your day. If they type on a toy computer, take notes on scrap paper and answer imaginary phone calls, they’ll feel like they’re helping you. They might even enjoy running to the printer for you or pretending to run an in-house restaurant where you order lunch.
3. Taking Breaks Is Okay
Parents often get caught up in the mindset of focusing exclusively on work or their kids. Remind yourself that taking breaks to balance both is okay. You can even make it work by using the Pomodoro technique so every break supercharges your focus after tending to your children. If your first instinct is to view breaks as a bad thing, it’s a sure sign that you could benefit from them.
4. Work Outside With Everyone
One of the biggest perks of working from home is being able to go outside. Sit on the back porch or in the shade while your kids play outdoors. It keeps them busy and gives them more vitamin D, strengthening their immune system and encouraging healthy growth. Give them a container of chalk or a set of jump ropes to keep them occupied while you push on through your projects.
5. Utilize Their Naptime
When your children lay down for their morning or afternoon naps, utilize that precious quiet time. Tackle busy work that doesn’t require loud noises, like plugging numbers in spreadsheets or answering emails. Naptime can be your new superpower if you plan what work you’ll accomplish during those few minutes or hours.
6. Prepare for Interruptions
There’s no way to have an interruption-free day with kids in the house. They’ll need your help making food, using the bathroom and playing referee during fights. Battle these distractions by having creative solutions by your workspace. Offer your kids a coloring book or a puzzle when they run in and ask for your attention.
7. Schedules Are Life Changers
Making a work schedule keeps you on track whether you’re a freelancer or not. Coordinate a schedule that works for your kids too. Take meetings during recurring nap times or meal breaks. Swap child care with your partner by switching who preps meals and changes diapers.
8. Set Up Virtual Playdates
Children may want more attention because they haven’t seen their friends in a while. Set up virtual playdates during the workday that nurture their social skills and provide entertainment. You won’t have to put work aside to drive them back and forth, saving time while making everyone happier.
9. Assign Pet Care Responsibilities
Older kids won’t care about coloring books or naptime, so give them something productive to do. Assign pet care responsibilities, like walking the dog. They’ll get exercise while letting your dog stretch their legs, even if they only play fetch in the backyard.
It’s a better option than watching them sit on the couch all day. Responsibilities also make your older kids more self-sufficient. They’ll need to learn how to care for other people and animals as they grow up. Thinking of others and lending a helping hand will make them better individuals in their personal lives and careers.
10. Asking for Help Saves Your Sanity
Sometimes parents don’t think to ask for help because it feels like waving the white flag of defeat. It could actually be the best thing you do for yourself and your family. Ask loved ones or close friends to watch your kids for even a few hours during the week. They can come over while you rent a coworking space or take your children over to their house for a playdate.
Being at home all the time doesn’t make parenting magically easier. Swap childcare responsibilities with your partner or a local friend to focus when you need it most. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. It could be the best way to figure out how much time you need for your job and rethink your schedule.
Check In With Yourself
These practices and tips might work differently for you as your work schedule changes. Check in with yourself to try new things and see what’s best for minimizing your stress. You’ll maximize your productivity while balancing your roles as a parent.
