I have 4 kids (ages 9-12), and I work from home. I’ve been working at home with kids since 2007 when my oldest (twin boys) were born. I intimately understand the unique set of challenges that comes from working from home with kids. It’s not easy.
Plus, as the Coronavirus adds social distancing and homeschooling to our plates, working at home with kids has become both a necessity and even more difficult than it typically is.
If you feel like you can be awesome with your business or your home or your family but never all three at once, then this post is for you. I’ve got 5 tips for working at home with kids that save you from drowning in stress and guilt:
Before I jump into the 5 tips I’ve got for you today, I want to offer a bit of hope and encouragement. I get it. I typically work 24 hours per week. While trying to home-school my kids this last week (March 13th – 20th, 2020), I was only been able to work about 4 hours. But I’m adjusting. I’m using the tips below, to adapt and modify how I’ve been doing things. This post is actually the 2nd post in a series. You can find the first one here:
As mom bloggers, we need all the blogging tips and hacks we can get. Find out how these 5 quick hacks can get your blog organized, save your sanity & help you balance your mom life and blogging life.
One of my favorite things about having less time to get something done is that it forces us to focus on the most important things. Being productive isn’t about doing more; it’s about learning how to say no to what is less important so you can do what is most important. A limited amount of time compels you to choose what is most important. The 4 hours I worked last week were highly productive! You may find yourself moving the needle in your business in ways you never have before during this unique time in history.
Last, I believe working from home with kids to be a great way to build solid relationships with them and teach them excellent entrepreneurial skills! Enjoy this time with them – make the most of it.
Clear communication and expectations are a must if you want to learn how to work at home with kids. Treat your kids as if they are a part of a family council.
As you involve them in deciding when you will work, they will be more willing to respect those boundaries, and you will have an easier time working at home with them around.
But you must respect those boundaries as well. Only work during work time. Get off your phone when it is family time/kid time. Don’t check your email. Give your family your full attention. Be present. As you do so, your kids will learn that they are important to you. They will feel less of a need to bug you while you are working because when you are with them, you are 100% there.
The next two tips will help you keep the boundaries you set.
One of the perks of working from home with kids is that you get to lounge around in your yoga pants all day, right? Maybe not. I love my yoga pants (who am I kidding, my pj’s) as much as the next mom! But I’ve found that getting dressed (in work clothes) and ready for the day is key to working from home successfully with kids. There are 2 main reasons for this:
Dress for the occasion, and don’t be afraid to change clothes a couple of times during the day. Enjoy breakfast with your kids in your jammies, switch to yoga pants when you work out (with your kids!), get dressed in business casual clothes when you are working, and switch to jeans and a t-shirt for kid time. Doing so will go a long way toward helping your kids respect the boundaries they help you set. So will this next tip!
One of the best things I ever did was creating a space where I could work behind a closed door. I even have a stop sign for that door. When I’m working – and cannot be interrupted – I put up the stop sign. My kids know they are only allowed to enter if it is an emergency.
You don’t have to have an actual office to do this. You can use a bedroom – even a large closet. Just find a space with a door that can close.
If you have glass doors (as I do) this can even work for very young kids. They play in the next room (where you can see them) while you work. If you don’t have glass doors and you have young kids, try creating a space with masking tape on the ground. Tell the kids they can’t cross the lines on the ground if the stop sign is up.
As you continue to counsel with your kids – and your spouse – create a routine that you can all agree on. Working at home with kids without a routine is nearly impossible. I believe it to be the most important way to balance working with family life. Education.com says:
One of the most important things that you can do to make your {children} feel safe is to establish as much routine … as possible. Children … feel the most secure when their lives are predictable … They become free to relax and explore their world.
Isn’t that what we need & want as we learn how to work from home with our kids? We need them to be “free to relax and explore their world” on their own (within limits, of course) and not need us every minute of the day.
Here are some suggestions as you create your routine or your work from home mom schedule:
There are two new things I’m trying since the Coronovirus has forced me into homeschooling.
Is there a way you can involve your kids with your work? When mine were babies, I’d wear them while I worked. If you have older kids, they might be able to be your assistant. They’d learn valuable skills, and you’d have less on your plate. Here are a few ways I’ve done so to spark your imagination:
What can you have your kids do in your business? Tell me in the comments below so everyone can benefit from all the ideas!
Working from home with kids is hard, but you can do it. You’ve got this lady! It will never go perfectly, so don’t expect that. Embrace the mess – in every way. Your kids may watch a bit “too much” screentime. Oh well. It’s not forever. You might miss a day of scriptures or exercise (or maybe an entire week). No biggie – keep going.
Prioritize your efforts. Focus on what has the best ROI – both in your business and as a mom. Take time to recharge so you don’t run yourself ragged and burnout. Remember how fast weeks, months, and years pass without you even realizing it. Don’t just let that life happen to you – strategically create the experience you want.
Good luck! I’m cheering for you!
While working from home with kids has unique challenges, it is do-able. In fact, there are some benefits. Use the following tips to see success as you learn how to work from home with kids:
Do you have a friend that could use this post? Share it with them so they too can learn how to effectively work at home with kids! Thanks!
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