10 Tips for Working from Home with Children

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Once upon a time it seemed everyone’s dream job involved working from home. Then the pandemic happened and everyone realized it wasn’t as exciting as we once thought. You either found it hard to stay on topic or were interrupted by every family member under the roof. It wasn’t an ideal work situation. A lot of people were left welcoming the reopening of society, even a socially distanced one.

But it didn’t need to be like that, and it definitely doesn’t need to be like that now. With some structure, determination, and open mindedness, working from home with children in the house can go from chaotic disaster to well-oiled machine. Here are 10 tips for working from home with children in the house.

• Make a meal plan. What’s for dinner? I used to get that question five times a day before I started meal planning. The process is simple. I plan six meals for the coming week, with one meal left free for takeout/ordering. Planning the meals in advance frees that time I used to spend standing in front of the refrigerator asking myself the same question my wife and children just asked: What’s for dinner? Want extra credit? Put a whiteboard with a calendar up in the kitchen so everyone can see the meal plan in advance (those that can read, anyway).
• Have a dedicated space. You need a place where you can focus and be undisturbed in the zone. This could be a desk in a dedicated office or a spare bedroom. I’m writing this at my desk in the corner of our master bedroom while listening to the gentle, rhythmic breathing of my wife as she sleeps. The kitchen table will work in a pinch. A door is ideal for shutting out the noise of the outside world, but you take what you can get.
• Take advantage of free time. The most productive time I had as a writer with babies and toddlers in the house was naptime. Your kids are too old for naps, you say? No problem. Get a workbook they can fill out while you’re working. This will keep them busy in short bursts, which is all you can ask for when working from home with toddlers in the house, right?
• Set boundaries. Ensuring both your office and your family understand and respect your boundaries is important. Your employer needs to respect your time, not expecting you do your job outside of office hours. Your family needs to respect those office hours. A Simple sign on the door will help older kids understand (red=stop on one side, and green=go on the other).
• Take a break. Part of the fun with working from home is just that, being home. If the workload is getting overwhelming, it’s okay to take a break and step away from the desk for a few minutes. Take the kids outside for some sunshine. They’ll appreciate even a few minutes with you during a busy workday, and you’ll feel better about yourself as a parent. That’s a win-win in my book. But then make sure you get back to work.
• Eliminate distractions. Make sure your worktime is sacred, except for those breaks, of course. Do you find yourself doing chores when you should be working? Those need to be done before your day starts or it can wait until after work. Do you find yourself checking your personal email or scrolling social media? I make sure to check my email before I start writing each day. I have also left my phone charging in another room while writing. Simply silencing your phones should do the trick.
• Be flexible. Does your job allow you to work whenever you want? Start your day before the kids are awake or get it done after they go to bed. I’ve written an entire novel while my family sleeps.
• Keep structure. If you don’t have the flexibility to choose your hours, ensure you’re keeping a routine for the kids. Regular meals, outside time, and breaks are a good way to keep the day structured, instead of letting chaos run amok. Trust me, kids like structure just as much as you do.

“Adults who facilitate a child’s play without being intrusive can encourage the child’s independent exploration and learning.”

• Encourage Independent play. Some newer parents are under the impression that they need to entertain their children every waking moment. In fact, giving children the opportunity to play independently can further their development. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that adults can encourage “independent exploration and learning” by facilitating play without being intrusive.
• Tactical screentime. Do you have an important Zoom meeting? Is there a deadline for a project that simply can’t wait? Reserving your children’s screentime for these occasions will achieve two things: keep your children occupied while you work and alleviate guilt for resorting to a screen.

Working from home with children in the house doesn’t have to feel like you’re Sisyphus (In Greek mythology Sisyphus was sentenced by Zues to roll a boulder uphill only to have it roll back down when he reached the top and repeat the process for eternity). Instead, it can be a time for bonding with your children, while also being your most productive self. Put these steps into practice today to unleash your best self, you and your family will thank you tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

Stephen M. Roth