If you have small children and you’re working from home, you know that it’s no small feat to accomplish your work goals for the day. In between snack breaks, nap times, and tantrums, you might be feeling the inevitable exhaustion that comes from trying to get your job done and be a parent at the same time. Here are a few tips to make your work-from-home situation not only bearable but also enjoyable:
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Communicate about Work Hours
In an ideal world, you are working from home with a partner who is supportive and understanding of your need for a quiet workspace and set working hours. If you are a single parent, or if your partner’s work schedule overlaps with yours, do your best to create a set schedule in which your children have some free play time while you work. If you live with a partner, create a schedule that ensures you are both getting work done and sharing the childcare responsibilities. This might mean that you have to work during naptimes, at night after they go to bed, or earlier in the morning, if possible.
Take Advantage of Mobile Services
Working from home, due to advances in modern technology, isn’t as disconnected as it used to be. You can videoconference with your coworkers, chat with or email your boss, utilize remote IT services like IUVO Tech, and work from a variety of devices around your home due to the fact that you upload work documents to the cloud. Are your kids napping in the room you use as your home office? No problem – take your phone or laptop to the couch to catch up on reading important work documents and sending emails. Flexibility is key here for working at home with kids.
Know When To Stop Working
Let’s just say it: working while taking care of little kids can be a frustrating endeavor. You’re juggling the roles of parent, caretaker, chef, entertainer, and house cleaner while trying to maintain part-time or full-time employment. Sometimes you need a break, and if you’re able to take one, you should do so for your mental and physical health.
It’s easy to blur the boundaries between work and personal life when working from home. Setting boundaries and rules will help you – and your kids – know what to expect. Though it will be difficult at first, your efforts will be rewarded when the entire household gets used to the new structure!
