Given the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic right now, it is probably fair to assume that the majority of us are having to adapt to life working from home at the moment! We are definitely lucky to be able to continue working when so many others are furloughed, but the one element you have to face at home that you never have to face at the office is your children!
Working from home whilst still having to take care of and manage your kids can be a tough ask, but it is definitely achievable, largely thanks to a number of different tips and tricks that we can all employ in our daily lives. Without further ado, here is some advice on how to work from home if you have kids!
- Keep Tabs
It can be easy to get lost in a conference call and take your mind off the children for a time, but if you have the right accessories to ensure their safety, this should not pose a problem. For small babies and toddlers, a nap in a secure baby cot bed can be enough to keep them occupied for a while. In other cases, there is always home CCTV installation that can help. You are most likely going to be stuck at a computer all day and having access to software that can show you all of the rooms in your house at the click of a button can be a great way to keep tabs without having to move around all day.
- Find Resources
Take advantage of all of the free resources that have been made newly available online at various websites. There is a rich bounty of education and entertainment-based content that you can use to keep your little ones occupied in a productive way as you work. From full lesson plans and activities to free children’s audiobooks for quite chill time, you should be trying to fill up their days as much as you can so you can turn your attention to your own productivity.
- Schedule Your Time
If your own work is flexible with regards to time, then try to be clever about when you are focused on yourself and when you are focused on your kids. For example, let them sleep in for a little bit later in the mornings and you can rise early to get a head start on your work. You can then be more active in being with them during the day, and once they are back in bed in the evening you can return to your own tasks.
- Reward Good Behaviour
Make it clear to the children that if they behave in a sensible and respectful manner during your working hours, they will be rewarded with things like choice of dinner and extra TV time later in the day. The reward-based system will keep them motivated across the day with the promise of treats when you have clocked off!