The pandemic has changed our lives. Working from home has become the new normal, but it can be challenging with a house full of kids. Balancing children and career is beyond challenging, but it can be done. Here are a few strategies you can use to make your new situation a little easier.
Make a family plan.
Communicate with your family and set boundaries. Sit your children down and explain to them that there will be times when you’re off-limits. Tell them about your schedule and establish clear guidelines.
A shut door means they shouldn’t go in, and meeting sessions mean they need to play somewhere else or be quiet from the room next door. If you have an incoming call, remind your kids that you will be on a call, too.
Don’t forget to also establish your own internal deadlines. Plan ahead and avoid waiting until the last minute to get started.
Stick to a routine.
Maintain a routine every day that will help everyone stay occupied. A set schedule gives you some structure in the day and can help break up school hours and free time. Individual plans will help you understand each other’s workload, priorities, and potential conflicts.
Remember, our brain is wired to stick to a routine. If we change up that structure, it can create confusion, and we may lose focus or interest.
Designate a workstation and a work-free zone.
Suppose you assign a place for each person to work in. In that case, it not only sets boundaries but also gives everyone a sense of belonging. An ideal place to work is where there’s ample lighting and storage for your files. It’s best to avoid working in bed as you have the risk of climbing back under the covers.
But at the same time, don’t be afraid to take a nap. Create a separate room for relaxing. It can be a den, a family room, or any place labeled as a work-free zone.
Don’t forget to stretch.
Make it a habit to regularly get up and stretch. Sitting less and moving more helps reduce a cluster of health risks. It also refreshes your mind and can give you a quick energy boost.
Get dressed like you’re going to work.
Wearing sweatpants might be tempting, but people who have worked from home before actually recommend dressing for the day as if you’re going into the office. Dressing for the occasion, in this case, work will get your brain into the appropriate working mode.
Set up goals and break them down into tasks.
Without someone checking on you every hour, it might be easy to get distracted. Make a list of daily goals and break them down into daily or hourly tasks, whichever is most comfortable and practical for you.
Make every second count.
Use time wisely. It might be tempting to unwind for an hour or so midway through the workday, but you need to remember to stay on track. Of course, having scheduled breaks isn’t a bad idea, but make sure you can still accomplish tasks on schedule.
Let your kids make some choices.
Give your children the ability to choose their own activities and snacks, for example. Self-serve meals and snacks can help build their independence. You can put a list of snack choices on the fridge. The kids could get their own snacks, so you don’t have to spend time taking them through the options.
Don’t forget to sleep.
Always make sure you have enough time for rest to keep yourself healthy and more efficient in your day-to-day work. Without proper rest, your mind will feel foggy, and you won’t be as productive as you’d like to be.
Plan to wake up early.
You’ll soon find that you’ll be able to focus more when you get up before the kids are up. That’s the best time to fit in work that needs your focus. Throughout the rest of the day, when the kids may be more liable to interrupt you, you can do your shorter tasks that require less attention.
Don’t forget to stay active.
Take a walk, dance around the house, or run with your kids. When you go outside for a walk, you also expose yourself to the natural light and fresh air--essential in refreshing your mind and body after being inside the house for long hours.
Look out for changes in behavior.
Your kids may be having anxiety when they’re acting out. They may also have more temper tantrums. Try not to get upset or angry with them. Take a breath and talk to your kids. Listen for understanding.
Take advantage of naptime.
Stay productive while working from home by using your kids’ nap time to finish tasks that require your concentration. You can also use this time to rest without interruption if you’re on break and have no tough jobs.
Alternate shifts with your partner.
If you and your partner both work from home, alternate shifts with your partner to make remote working more comfortable. You can wake up very early in the morning while your partner wakes up the kids and prepares breakfast for them. Then, you can switch shifts throughout the day so you can have uninterrupted work time. That way, while someone is working, their partner takes care of the kids.
Seek help if you need it.
If you have a family member who can help, you can ask him or her to watch the kids while you’re busy. It’s wise to ask for help if one of your kids happens to be a toddler since they’ll need attention, but you’ll need to focus on your work.
Hire a nanny.
If you have no one who can help at home in your family or friends group, one surefire way to get help would be to hire a nanny. You’ll want to check, of course, whether the extra expense is in the budget.
Keep your children entertained.
Give toys to your kids or plan activities they can do. Rather than always entertaining them, give your kids space to use their imaginations. This way, they’ll learn how to do more for themselves.
Enjoy your kids and enjoy time for yourself.
Find time to play with your kids during breaks from your work. If you work for a few hours in the morning or evening, you’ll have gaps during the day. Play with the kids, go outside, or help them with their schoolwork.
But then, plan downtime without them as well. Exercise, work on a craft or read a book. Keep your mind fresh by taking scheduled breaks.
Set up a place where you can have private time. It can be your closet, basement, bedroom, or any area where you can have a quiet and uninterrupted space.
Be kind to yourself.
Drop the super-high expectations around achieving your normal workload on top of parenting. Don’t be too hard on yourself and manage your expectations.
Final Thoughts
You’ll be able to balance your career and children with planning, communication, and an adaptable attitude. It may get stressful, frustrating, and even hopeless at times, but remember that everyone feels the stress of uncertainty.
When things get too stressful, take a deep breath, and try to rest. Get support from friends and family: it’ll eventually be okay, and you’ll adapt to living a happy life despite the new reality.