If you’re a parent who also works from home, you know how challenging it can be to have your kids around while you’re trying to be productive and get work done.
But luckily, with a little planning and the right expectations, you can create an atmosphere in your home where you can get work done even when your kids are home with you.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for working from home or freelancing when your kids are around.
Encourage Self-Sufficiency
Depending on the ages of your children, one of the best things that you can do to help allow yourself to focus more on work is to encourage self-sufficiency in your kids.
When your kids are very little, you’ll likely have to be taking a lot of breaks to help them. But as they get older and can do more things on their own, you can make it so it’s easier for them to accomplish all kinds of things without your help.
For example, you can move kids’ dishes to a lower cabinet in your kitchen, make snacks easier for them to grab or make themselves, set out toys, and do other activities that they can get on their own. By doing this, you can make it possible for your kids to do more and let them work.
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Work In-Time Allotments
Because you likely can’t just sit down and work for eight hours straight when you’re working from home with your kids around, you’ll need to figure out how you can work in time allotments.
While your kids will likely need help throughout the day, if they are old enough to be a little patient with you, you should explain to them that you’ll be working on your work projects for a certain amount of time before you can help them.
And if you’re able to set this boundary with them, over time, they will learn to be more patient and let you focus on work in bursts with the understanding that you will get to them when you can.
Take Advantage of Distractions
For kids of various ages, there will be things throughout the day that can distract them so that you can get some good work done without having to meet their immediate needs.
For example, if your kids are in school or other activities, you can work during those times when they are distracted. Additionally, if your kid nap, you can devote that nap time to working. And if you’re able to bring in other distractions, like crafts or other activities, you can take advantage of those times as well.
If you’ve been having a hard time working while your kids are home with you, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find some solutions.
