With offices and schools closed coupled with the new social distancing norm due to the coronavirus pandemic, many parents are suddenly spending a lot of time at home with their children. This means that quite a number of parents are now being faced with an unfamiliar situation: staying productive while working from home and also tending to the needs of their children. Although, this can be challenging but with the right strategies, parents can balance working remotely with kids quarantine.
Tips on how to Juggle Parenting with Working from Home
Create a Flexible Routine
To effectively work from home with kids, you need to create a routine that allows you to prepare for the day before it starts at all. While you may be used to getting work done in the early hours of the day, remember that you have to look after the kids too, embrace flexibility; structure your work hours with the kids in mind. Remember that what you need to do now is to work smarter and not harder. Make a schedule that incorporates your work hours and their learning hours too.
Set Boundaries
Since you are probably going to be working from home for a long time, create a personal workstation; you can utilize the bedroom or a vacant room in the house. Make your kids realize that when you are working or at this workspace, you do not want any distraction. If you have younger kids, make sure your work area gives you the opportunity to see them. You can invest in noise-canceling headsets to keep out the noise and help you stay focus.
Nap time and Screen time
When your kids are sleeping is the best time that you can use to complete tasks that demands your complete concentration. You can schedule work related calls to this time also. Also make sure that you strategize their screen time, kids are less likely to disturb you when they are catching up with their favorite shows or playing games.
Communicate with your Co-workers
Since you are watching the kids, you need to reset your work schedule and maybe expectations. Many co-workers understand the situation at hand and maybe very supportive in helping you to adjust your work schedule and goals; you have kids so you may not be able to easily complete a chunk of work, ask for help when you need it.
Take Short Breaks
You are quarantined with the kids, this is a great time to strengthen the family bond. Instead of burying yourself in work all day, take frequent breaks during the day and do various activities with the children. You can use this free time to do exercises with the kids or learn something new with them. This will not only ensure that you spend time with them but it will also help you relax and reset.
Working from home effectively with children demanding attention around the clock can be tedious but with the right tips, you will find yourself easily navigating through this situation in no time.
It is also important to look forward to the quarantine being over. Think about where you would go, what you would do…what you would eat.
Check out this post A Food Blogger’s First Meal After Quarantine
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