Because of the lockout of the COVID-19 coronavirus, most people work from home. While many people manage well, for those who have children the same can not be said. When you’re a mom, it can be difficult to deal with your children at home, who tend to have food or entertainment all the time. Children need 24-7 care and parenting while meeting strict deadlines, responding to countless emails, and attending conference calls every two hours can be challenging. When this disease spreads exponentially, we don’t know for how long we’re going to have to remain co-oped in our homes and you may have to work from attending to the demands of your children. Scroll down for the tips to work from home with kids.
How to Work From Home With Kids During Lockdown
Here are some tips to stay successful when working from home with kids.
1. Work while your children are asleep
You can use their sleep or napping hours to your advantage if you work from home with kids. When your children sleep two to three hours a day, you will focus on your job uninterruptedly. Using this time to achieve significant tasks. Save these hours for activities that require your maximum attention. You may do so by doing low-priority or less demanding activities while the children are awake and arranging work or calling on a big project when they’re sleeping.
If your kids are in their teen years, they will not be taking naps during the afternoon hours. In such a situation, ask them to quietly read or play, or clean the room. This way they learn something new without you being disturbed. Making the most of this period focusing on essential research. Despite your perfect plans, there will be days when things will not go as expected, but it is all right.
2. Talk to your children
Your kids can see you are on a very important call, but that won’t stop them from plunging into your room to sob and complain that their sibling did. Yeah, this may sound funny, but when you have to face this situation, it’s not funny actually. You’re left to shush your little boy while your boss is waiting for your brilliant ideas. If you’re ever facing this kind of situation, click the ‘mute’ button on your smartphone easily. Trust us, that is an educated decision. However, the best thing you can do is talk about that to your kids.
You can use the repetitive power to show your kids what not to do when they’re left alone for some time. Second, tell them what activities shouldn’t be interrupted during your work and what activity they should be doing during this period. Pretend to have a meeting or call to see how the children are reacting and go through this drill more than once. Reward and compliment them when you do, and if you don’t, direct them softly. The more you do, the better your children learn. Good behavior never occurs overnight; patience and practice are required. So be with your child a little careful while you teach actions.
3. Show Commitment
You must stay committed to your job and your boss while you are working from home. Let them know that, like always, you are efficient and quick with work. One way of demonstrating your contribution is by responding quickly or as early as possible to their emails. Although most people like to work in pajamas, when you’re dressed professionally, you might find that your level of productivity and confidence is increased. This will also let your children know that you’re doing office work while you’re dressed in office wear, so they shouldn’t interrupt important calls.
4. Spend time with your family
Now that everybody is at home, it’s the best opportunity to spend in your family and children for some time. If you pay attention to your kids for just 20 minutes every couple of hours you are more likely to get better job time. If you pay attention to them, they are likely to be satisfied for a long time, and will not bother you when you are working. Such breaks will also refresh you when you’re working and will make you feel good about yourself. It will give you trust that you will be able to handle the job, home and children. So, cuddle up with your kids and read them a few short stories, or sit down on the floor and play block games with them when you have the chance.
5. Talk to your partner
If your partner or spouse is at home then it is necessary to discuss responsibilities with your partner so that both of you are on the same page about your demands and expectations. In situations where each of you has heavy deadlines or meetings, this will help. Another smart idea is to put a sign on your office door while you’re on an important call or meeting so your family knows that interrupting is not a good time. You might also use stupid props such as capes or toys while you’re on an important call and tell your kids that you shouldn’t be interrupted every time you use those. To your kids, these are very powerful signals.
6. Designate a Home Office area
Yeah, when you are at home you want to keep an eye on your kids all the time, but the noise and their fun can be a nuisance to you. That is why it’s important to have a dedicated ‘workspace’ in your home. Trust us, it sounds enjoyable when working in your kitchen and using the kitchen table as a work table, but it’s not the ideal work area. If your kids are on the naughtier side, you will have to keep out of their reach your files, laptops, and other work-related stuff. So choose your house’s well-lit place, which can be your home office. Keep a small table, and put a drawer below to store your records and papers. Keep it organized and clutter-free.
7. Plan ahead
Instead of waiting for the last minute, always seek to finish the job a few hours earlier. If necessary, you should use home mom’s schedule to take charge of your job and build your deadlines. Procrastinating never helps so it is best not to postpone the job until the next day if you have kids. You never know what problems may occur, so get your work finished on time, even ahead of time.
So, These are some of the tips to work from home with kids during the lockdown.
It may be difficult to take care of the children and attend to their daily demands when working from home, but it is possible. The tips we’ve shared above will help – use them to your benefit and have a great balance between work and life at home. Converse and share obligations with your partner. Divide the housework and watch your kids take turns. It’s a hard time, but note that it is during this period that you will have the chance to bond with your children and family members. Make the most of it; do not stress about work. Set up a schedule and get your job finished at a scheduled time. And then spend the entire day with those you love.
Also Read: Things To Do During The Coronavirus Lockdown
