The Challenges of Working From Home With Kids

Working from home may sound like a luxury for some... and a nightmare for others. There is no denying that it may stay hard to maintain focus when working at home. If you look at this from a parent's perspective, however, there is an even bigger issue. Of course, all parents are responsible for watching and taking care of their children, but when you are trying to work, it is hard to multitask. Keep reading for some tips on balancing the work load at home when you are working, while simultaneously trying to watch over your children!

Communication

The term "communication" in this situation can be used in many different ways, like talking to your partner about switching off on who watches your children at different time of the day. But, when it comes to your children, you should also communicate with them.

No matter how old they are (as long as they aren't still a baby), then you should have no problem helping them understand that you have something to do. Some things you can tell them are "I have some work to do, and I need you to let me finish that," or "I have to get my work done, so I will be gone for a little bit." Simple statements like that may leave your child curious, but it is important for them to understand that there will be times where you can't be with them every second.

It may also help to explain to your child what you are doing, to give them an understanding of what you do for a living. Of course, simplifying what your job consists of is a good idea, in order for them to get some sort of understanding. Once you have communicated with your child about this, this can create a healthy boundary between you both when it comes to you and your job. They will be able to understand that they can't bother you (unless it's an emergency, of course) when you are trying to do your job. 

Keeping them busy

While you are working, it is a good idea to have a large range of things your child can do at home in order to keep them busy. To start things off, it's not the best idea to just let the iPad do all the work for you. Besides, you wouldn't want your child to be glued to their devices for the entire duration that you are working. Some of the items you can provide them while you're off working are:

• Children's books
• Dolls or figurines
• Stuffed animals
• Building blocks
• Arts and crafts

It is good to keep their minds working while you are gone, and keep them engaged in playing. This is also good for them, in the sense that they are keeping themself busy. Children's health professionals also recommend independent play, as it increases creativity, confidence, patience, problem solving, and emotional control. 

Hiring help

In the case that you don't have anyone to watch your child, it is a great idea to hire a nanny, babysitter, or a grandparent. This way, you can give your child an opportunity to go out and run errands or go to the park without having to worry about taking time away from work to do so. You will be doing your child a great service by giving them the opportunity to go and do other things instead of being stuck at home for however long you are working. Plus, this also gives you a chance to work with zero distractions and some peace and quiet. 

Time swap

On the other hand, in the case that you do have your partner at home to watch your child, you can take turns switching off on who watches your child. You can spend a certain increment of time doing a partial amount of your work in the morning, for example, and then during lunch time, you can take a break and hang out with your child. During your break time, your partner can go and do whatever they need to do whether it's work or running errands. Then switch off again. It's important to implement a system that works best for your family, so try out a few different things until you find the most fluid routine that benefits everyone!

Nap time

When your child is taking a nap, that is one of your best opportunities to get some work done. That way, you don't have any interruptions. It also benefits you both, because by the time you are done with your work, then they can be up from their nap. You and your child can then hang out and spend some time together. This is also beneficial because you can have a quiet environment while you work, and you don't have to worry about any distractions!

Get out of the house

To avoid any at-home distractions entirely, you can try to take your work elsewhere. The possibilities are endless with this, and it all comes down to your preference and what kind of environment you work best in. Some ideas for places to work are cafes, libraries, or even parks. One of the most popular, however, is a library. This is a because it a quiet, calm environment that is also holding other people that are studying and/or working. You can also feel more productive when you are studying away from home. Additionally, working outside of your house will motivate you to be more productive in the way that it forces you to get out of your pajamas and make your way out of your house to be in a public setting.