It can be tough to transition from working in the office to working from home, and it can be even more difficult trying to work remotely when your kids are at home with you. Trying to be productive when there are a million distractions around you isn’t easy – we get it. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to ensure that you’re maximizing your productivity while your kids are at home.
From setting up a schedule to asking for help – here are 10 tips for maximizing productivity with kids at home.
- Set Up a Schedule
Get a calendar and create a schedule for you and your kids. Make sure to set time aside each day for things such as helping your children with their schoolwork and spending time with them. It’s also important that you set aside time that will be solely dedicated to working.
- Take Regular Breaks
Trying to balance time between your work and your home life can be difficult, and if you’re trying to do too much at once, you risk becoming burnt out. This is why you need to take regular breaks. During the work day, set a timer on your phone for thirty minutes. Once the timer goes off, make sure to take some time for yourself. Meditate, go on a short walk, or do whatever relaxes you for 5 minutes. Reset the timer, and repeat throughout the day.
- Work Learning Around Meetings
One good thing about meetings is that they are usually set in advance. Considering that you know when work meetings will take place, you’ll be able to set some time around those meetings to help your children with their schoolwork, and with anything else they may need.
- Designate an Office Space
One easy way to be more productive while working remotely is to designate an office space in your home. Find a space that is quiet and that has a door, preferably. This way, you can minimize any distractions and have the privacy that you need during your work hours.
- Get Up Early
Though it’s easier said than done, getting up early is the perfect way to get a jumpstart on your day. Take advantage of the peace and quiet that happens when no one else in your family is awake yet, and get a chunk of your work done. This way, you’ll have more time later in the day to spend time with your family.
- Pre-Plan Activities For Your Kids
Spend time coming up with activities for your kids to partake in while you’re working from home. If you have preset activities that they can do, your kids will be distracted and are less likely to interrupt you while you’re working. Hint: one activity you can pre plan is to have your children create their own storybook!
- Take Turns With Your Spouse
If you and your spouse are both working from home, take turns performing household duties and with helping your kids with their needs. This will allow both of you to have time to focus on your work, while having the peace of mind that everything else is being taken care of around the house.
- Ask For Help
There seems to be a stigma that you shouldn’t ask for help, when in reality, it’s one hundred percent okay to ask for help when you need it. If you’re finding it difficult to be productive while working from home, don’t be afraid to ask for help from family members. More than likely, they’ll be happy to help watch your kiddos while you’re working remotely – all you need to do is ask!
- Adjust Your Schedule
It’s important to have a schedule that fits your lifestyle. If working nine to five while also taking care of your family doesn’t seem to work for you, consider changing your work schedule. Maybe work some of your hours on the weekends or later at night when your kiddos are asleep. Do whatever works best for you.
- Be Patient
Working from home is new to most of us, and the adjustment isn’t always easy. If you feel like you’re struggling with balancing your work and home life, just know that other people are feeling the exact same way. The biggest and most important tip we can give you is to be patient. You’ll eventually find a routine that works for you and your family. It may take some time, but at the end of the day, it’ll all work out the way it’s supposed to.
Leave a Reply