Working from home sounds like a dream come true for many. You get to spend more time with your family, you spare yourself from the long commutes, and you enjoy leisure time within your own house. The other side of the coin isn’t as dreamy though, especially for parents.
When working from home with kids, you have to balance childcare with your job. This means blurry lines between personal time and work time. Your children will be demanding your attention, be it for homework or snacks, so you’ll have a hard time focusing on your tasks.
On your worst days, you might feel that you’ve been a bad parent and you weren’t able to get any work done. Juggling your job and looking after your kids is possible, but it means changing the way you work.
Tips to work from home successfully when you have kids
It takes conscious effort to make remote work feasible for your employer, your career, and your family. Consider the following tips when working from home with kids.
Set expectations with your children
Making your kids understand that there are periods when you mustn’t be interrupted is a long conversation. Don’t expect them to get everything after a 30-minute talk wherein you tell them all they need to know. You’ll have to repeat yourself many times.
Should your children interrupt you and you’re not in a video call, avoid turning it into a big deal. There are times when they need your attention so let them deliver you a snack or showcase their artistic masterpiece. Just restrict the amount of time they’re allowed to disturb you.
Establish a morning routine
Going straight to your workstation from your bed sounds nice. However, you need to train your brain to enter work mode or it’s going to be hard to get anything done. Add the activities related to childcare and you have yourself a busy yet unproductive day.
One of the top tips for working from home with kids is having a daily routine by:
- Waking up the same time everyday. This is a huge challenge when you have little ones who have their own schedule or keep you up at night. Waking up at the same time, even on rest days, forms a habit to boost productivity.
- Writing your routine and sticking to it. As a working parent, you’re juggling multiple things in your brain so it’s easy to forget tasks. Ensure you get everything done and on time by creating a to-do list and getting your priorities straight.
- Dressing up as if going to the office. Go through the motions of getting ready to go to work, including brushing your teeth, changing your clothes, and wearing shoes. Doing so prompts your body and your loved ones that you’re in work mode.
Show them your commitment
Your employer and colleagues aren’t able to appreciate things they don’t see you doing. It’s important to provide them with signals that you’re doing your job. An idea is replying to emails first thing in the morning to announce that you’ve logged in.
When your work involves taking calls, do that late at night or early in the morning as a favour to clients and coworkers in different time zones. These actions make you appear dedicated and eager to do your work. Your peers will want to emulate you and your boss will appreciate your work ethic.
Arrange your remote workflow
To start, you need a dedicated workspace that you only use when working from home with kids. It must be closed off with a door and a lock to prevent interruptions during important calls. If this isn’t possible with your current living situation, your bedroom works well enough.
Establish ground rules on how people may get in touch with you during your shift. Ask your babysitter or partner to send you a message when they need you for something. When you don’t have a nanny, set a way for your kids to communicate outside of online chat.
Get help with childcare
Some families have children that are of school age or at the point where they don’t need as much attention as before. If that’s the case for you, you should be able to leave your kids to fend for themselves while you work. Make sure they’re taught about correct procedures in case of emergencies though.
If your children are still little and require hands-on care, you’re going to need some help. It’s great if your partner is able to stay home and take care of the kids. If this isn’t possible, consider hiring a nanny or maid to attend to your children’s needs.
Succeed in working from home with kids
While some believe that it’s hard to be productive when you’re a parent, others argue that they are more efficient because they have experience in taking care of their children while working. If you want to change your mindset to the latter, apply the above tips to work from home successfully when you have kids.
If you’re a parent who is currently looking for a remote position, we at Remote Workmate are able to help you find the right job. We’re connected to clients from around the world and we refer them candidates who we believe will meet their needs.
See our job listings page for virtual opportunities for parents like you.
