Working from home comes with its own sets of challenges, but it can be done. Whether you’re a parent whose job has gone remote, or you just need to sneak in some extra work hours, this guide will help you work efficiently from home while also caring for your children.
Create a Schedule and Stay Organized
How do you create a work schedule when working from home with children? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as each parent’s situation will be different. But here are some tips to get you started:
- Figure out what hours you’re most productive and make those your working hours.
- Try to stick to a routine as much as possible. This will help both you and your child adjust to the new schedule.
- Use tools like Google Calendar, Trello, or Asana to help keep track of your time and deadlines.
- Create a designated workspace for yourself and try to keep the kids out of that space as much as possible.
- Establish specific times for checking emails, answering phone calls, and other tasks.
- Eliminate distraction as much as possible, like turning off social media notifications, putting your phone on silent mode, etc.
- If your child is napping, use that time to get work done.
Activities to Do with Your Baby While You Work
Working parents need breaks too, and you can take a breather from your tasks at any time. It goes without saying that you’ll want to find some fun ways to keep your infant busy while you’re working. Some good ideas are:
- Playing peekaboo
- Singing songs
- Reading books together
- Letting them safely explore their surroundings
Activities to Do With your Older Child While Working from Home
If your child is older, you’ll want to find activities that are more engaging and challenging. Here are some ideas:
- Have them help with household tasks, like folding clothes or sweeping the floor.
- Set up a play area with toys, puzzles, and games.
- Practice their reading and writing skills by setting up a mini work desk beside yours.
- Have them complete puzzles, work on coloring books, and do other quiet activities that occupy their attention and time.
When to Enroll Your Children in Daycare
Succeeding at working from home with an infant or toddler depends on your job. In the post-COVID world, hearing family members’ and children’s voices in the background is no longer considered strange as workplaces have adapted to work from home setups. However, there might still be instances where you would need some extra help. Enrolling your child in a daycare comes with many perks that aren’t available when your child is at home alone with you or a caregiver. These perks include socializing, learning how to behave in a group environment, developing cognitive skills through play-based learning, and communicating with those outside the family unit. Working from home is a great way for parents to be able to spend more time with their children during the day but it’s also important for your child to be around other children and people.
At East Orange Child Development Corporation our classrooms are filled with bright, motivated people who want nothing more than to help your child thrive. If working from home allows you greater flexibility when it comes to taking care of your child, a daycare can get them out of the house and into an educational environment. It’s a win-win situation! Contact us today to discuss enrollment.