Tips for working from home with young kids
Question:
"I want to work from home, but I have a 19-month old and a preschooler who seem to need attention even when I go to the bathroom for 3 minutes. How can I realistically expect to get anything done?"
I've been co-working with my kids for 16+ years, and -- with some planning and practice -- it's totally do-able. In fact, in many ways I think it has brought us closer because we've had to communicate and work together.
"I want to work from home, but I have a 19-month old and a preschooler who seem to need attention even when I go to the bathroom for 3 minutes. How can I realistically expect to get anything done?"
I've been co-working with my kids for 16+ years, and -- with some planning and practice -- it's totally do-able. In fact, in many ways I think it has brought us closer because we've had to communicate and work together.
The key is to set realistic expectations, communicate those with your son (obviously in age-appropriate terms), and PRACTICE. Kids are amazing at learning! Just like anything new he learns, he'll get it little by little and before long he'll be a pro.
Here are a few other things that have helped at our place:
- Reserve special independent toys, activities, or projects for times when you want to be working. For us, this worked best in the morning time, shortly after breakfast when creativity is typically at a high, and right after lunch (if he doesn't nap).
- Have a timer so your little one can see exactly when he can expect to have your full attention again.
- Make it fun! Wear a special hat or make a funny sign that you put up when it's "mommy focus" time. Have practice sessions to get used to it before you really need it. Make him a hat or sign of his own so that you know when to let him focus, too.
- Use this as an opportunity to teach about work and explain where money for toys, clothes, and homes comes from. Give him small opportunities to earn money around the house so that he can connect with the concept and know how great it feels to finish a project and be rewarded financially
- Play with possible scenarios -- things going right, or things needing improvement when it comes to mom's work time. Practice and give him plenty of time to understand before trying the "real thing" so that you can avoid frustration for both of you.
- Selectively use "edu-tainment." There are some really great shows and apps that can help your preschooler develop confidence and love for reading (ABC Mouse, WordWorld, SuperWhy), emotional intelligence (Daniel Tiger), science (Octonauts, Wild Kratts, etc), and music (Little Einsteins). Make these a treat for when it's your work time, and let the mom guilt go.
- Let him plan what he'd like to do with you for 1:1 time each day. Schedule it together, and let him know how much you look forward to it. Put the phone away, close the laptop, and be totally engaged. It'll be a treat for both of you.
- Involve him in your work. If you're designing something, ask for his opinion. If you're typing something, read it out loud (this is a great editing tool, anyway!) -- and bonus points if you can read it in a funny voice/accent
