Working from home can feel like trying to juggle flaming torches, especially when you add kids into the mix. You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself on a Zoom call while your toddler reenacts a scene from “The Lion King” in the background.
14 Game-changing tips for working from home
1. Create a Flexible Schedule
The word “scheduled” may sound like a magical solution, but in reality, it’s more like a hopeful suggestion when kids are involved. Instead of sticking to a rigid timetable, try creating a loose structure. You can map out blocks of time for work, play, and naps (yes, naps for you too if possible). Prioritize the most demanding tasks for when your kids are occupied.
Pro Tip:
Start your day early. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish with a quiet house and a cup of coffee that hasn’t gone cold yet.
2. Divide and Conquer
If you’re not flying solo in the parenting department, divide responsibilities with your partner. One of you can handle the morning shift, while the other takes the afternoon. This tag-team approach ensures that neither of you loses your sanity or your job.
Pro Tip:
Create a handover ceremony. Something fun, like giving each other a high-five or a dramatic “Your turn!” to lighten the mood.
3. Set Up a Kid-Friendly Workspace
Let’s be real: kids love to invade your workspace. Instead of fighting this daily battle, embrace it. Set up a mini “office” for them next to yours. Give them crayons, paper, or their favorite toys, and call it their “important work.” They’ll feel included, and you might get 20 minutes of uninterrupted work. Maybe.
Pro Tip:
Throw in a “business call” for them on a toy phone. It makes them feel extra official and important!
4. Leverage Screen Time (Without the Guilt)
Yes, screen time is a contentious issue among parents. But guess what? We’re in survival mode, and it’s okay to loosen the reins. Find educational programs or games that will hold their attention while you tackle your to-do list. Just don’t feel guilty about it; consider it a temporary tool to keep the chaos in check.
Pro Tip:
Save the screen time for when you need it—like that meeting with your boss or when you’re finally writing that report you’ve been putting off.
5. Use Naptime Like a Boss
If your kids are still napping, this is prime productivity time. Use it to tackle your most important or focused tasks. Don’t waste this precious time folding laundry or staring at your phone (though, let’s be honest, we’ve all been there).
Pro Tip:
Keep a “nap-time to-do list” ready. That way, when the little one finally dozes off, you know exactly what to dive into.
6. Involve the Kids in Your Work
If you’ve got older kids, let them help out in small ways. They can “file” papers (aka, move things around), take part in brainstorming (even if their ideas are a bit out there), or help with household tasks that align with your work breaks.
Pro Tip:
Teach them the art of the “conference call face”—calm, composed, and not hiding a meltdown from five minutes ago. It’s a life skill!
7. Communicate with Your Employer
Being upfront with your boss and coworkers about your situation can reduce the stress. Let them know you’re juggling both work and kids, so they know what to expect if your child suddenly makes a cameo on a video call. Most people are understanding especially these days.
Pro Tip:
A quick email stating, “Just a heads up, my kids might make a surprise appearance in our next meeting” helps set realistic expectations.
8. Keep Snacks Handy
Hungry kids are grumpy kids. Keep snacks within reach to reduce their chances of interrupting your workflow. You might even avoid a few tantrums by stocking up on their favorites.
Pro Tip:
Have a secret snack stash for yourself, too. There’s nothing like a sneaky chocolate break to keep the day going smoothly.
9. Take Breaks Together
Rather than feeling guilty about not being able to work nonstop, embrace the need for breaks. Take a 10-minute dance party with the kids or go for a quick walk around the block. It refreshes everyone and gets you ready to dive back into work.
Pro Tip:
Set a timer for your breaks. It helps prevent you from falling into the “just one more minute” trap when the kids beg for more playtime.
10. Accept Imperfection
Here’s the biggest and best tip: accept that not every day is going to be perfect. Some days will go smoothly, while others might feel like a never-ending circus act. That’s okay. Adjust your expectations and remember that everyone is in the same boat, doing the best they can.
Pro Tip:
At the end of the day, remind yourself of the small wins—whether it’s finally sending that email or just surviving until bedtime.
11. Create Work and Play Signals
Create simple signals for your kids to help them understand when it’s work time and when it’s playtime. For example, when you wear a particular hat or place a sign on your desk, it means “Mom/Dad is working.” When the hat comes off, it’s time for fun.
Pro Tip:
Make it fun! Let them decorate your “work-time” sign or choose the special hat you’ll wear. It gets them involved and helps reinforce the boundaries.
12. Work in Short Bursts
If your kids are particularly needy (and when are they not?) try working in short, focused bursts. The Pomodoro technique, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break, can be especially effective when you need to balance work and child care.
Pro Tip:
During your break, give the kids your full attention. It may seem counterintuitive, but taking 5 minutes to engage with them can buy you more focused work time afterward.
13. Practice Self-Care
It’s easy to burn out when you’re juggling work, kids, and home responsibilities. Make sure you take time for yourself, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day to breathe, read a book, or scroll aimlessly through Instagram. (No judgment here!)
Pro Tip:
Put self-care time on your calendar. Treat it like any other important meeting—it’s non-negotiable.
14. Lower Your Expectations (and Embrace the Chaos)
Finally, let go of the notion that you’ll have perfectly productive workdays, spotless houses, and well-behaved children all the time. That’s simply not reality. Embrace the chaos, laugh when things go wrong, and know that you’re doing your best.
Pro Tip:
Keep a sense of humor about it all. Sometimes, the only thing you can do when things go sideways is laugh (and maybe pour another cup of coffee).
Working from home with kids is no small feat. It’s a daily balancing act that requires patience, flexibility, and a lot of humor. By setting up a flexible schedule, involving your kids, and learning to embrace the messiness of it all, you can stay productive while still enjoying time with your little ones. Just remember: no one has it all together, and that’s perfectly fine.
