Working from home has become the new normal for many families, including mine. I work from home full-time, while my husband works outside of the house. While we have childcare options for both of my little ones, from time to time, they need to stay home too. (Hello cold and COVID season.) It can be challenging figuring out how to work from home with kids and keep them entertained, but there are some tips and tricks I’ve used to help make the day a little easier.
Create a designated workspace for your children.
Designating a specific workspace for your children can help them feel like they have their own space to do their own work and play. This can be as simple as setting up a small desk or table in a corner of the room, or even just a designated area on the floor with a few toys and activities.
Also working at the designated workspace with your child can model what working at their own spot looks like. In our house, this means the dining room table for me and the smaller look-alike table for my daughter. We play some peaceful music we both enjoy and set a timer for “focused time” to see how much work we can get done during this time.
Provide plenty of activities and toys.
Keeping your children entertained and occupied will be much easier if you have a variety of activities and toys for them to play with. This can include anything from art supplies, to building blocks, to puzzles and games. For my toddler, this means rotating buckets of play dough, blocks, and coloring books. For my older school-aged kid, this includes rotating puzzles and activity books.
Encourage independent play.
Encouraging your children to play independently is a great way to keep them busy while you work. Not only does it give you some much-needed time to focus on your work, but it also helps your children learn how to entertain themselves and develop important skills like problem-solving and creativity. Think dolls, action figures, and stuffed animals for imaginative play.
Schedule regular breaks and activities.
Scheduling regular breaks and activities throughout the day can help keep your children engaged and prevent boredom. This can include things like a snack break, a short walk outside, or a quick game of hide-and-seek. Having something to look forward to can help keep your children motivated and engaged. And learning how to work from home with kids means sometimes not working and not being at home with the kids!
Take advantage of technology.
There are many technology-based activities and games that can help keep your children occupied while you work. This can include things like educational apps, online games, and virtual tours. In my house, we resort to technology if I know I need uninterrupted time on a call or presentation. We tend to opt for movies for longer periods of needed focus time and apps as a reward for independent play.
Get creative with household chores.
Household chores can be boring for kids, but with a little creativity, they can be turned into fun and engaging activities. For example, you can make cleaning up a game by setting a timer and seeing how fast your children can clean up their toys. Or you can turn laundry into a fun game by having your children race to see who can fold the most clothes in a certain amount of time.
Take turns with your partner.
If you are working from home with a partner, take turns watching the children while the other one works. This will give each of you much-needed time to focus on your work without worrying about the kids. If you’re a single parent, consider teaming up with another single parent who can help you when you need it and you can return the favor in a pinch.
Head to the park for outside work and play.
Orange County is home to wonderful weather year-round and plentiful parks. Take your laptop or iPad and park at a picnic table for a couple of hours while your kids play on the playground. Consider dressing your kids in bright or neon colors to keep a careful eye on them while you multitask.
Look to storytime at the library.
If you know school will be out for a day, take a look at your local library’s schedule for a storytime your kids can enjoy while you get some work done at a nearby spot. Reward the kids for good behavior by checking out some books – and don’t forget to grab some for mom and dad too!
Working from home can be a tricky balance for any parent but it doesn’t have to be painful too. What are some of your favorite tips for parents on how to work from home with kids?
