The Success Guardian

If you work from home, you may be wondering how to keep your children occupied while you work.

While working from home is doable while caring for your children, you may find it beneficial to make a rough timetable and plan some fun indoor activities in advance to ensure you have the resources you’ll need. Caring for a kid (or children) under the age of 36 months also implies that the majority of your job will likely be completed in short bursts, so you’ll need to prioritize accordingly.

To assist you in juggling both obligations, we’ve compiled some excellent advice on working from home while caring for your children. At times, it may seem overwhelming, but you’ve got this!

How to Maintain a Productive Work Environment While Working From Home

The following suggestions apply to working from home with a kid or children under the age of three:

• While your kid sleeps, work. Utilize your children’s naps to do the most important duties. If your children have a pretty consistent sleep schedule, you may be able to avoid making critical phone calls or concentrating intensively on a project when they are dozing. Working before or after they awaken or before they sleep is another excellent choice, particularly if your employment allows for this kind of flexibility.
• Distribute the burden. If both you and your spouse are at home, you can consider taking turns feeding or playing with your children while the other works. By working in “shifts,” you may accomplish more while your children are cared for.
• Plan your day and week as thoroughly as possible. Plan your daily routine, including when you will get up and what you will do. Having a strategy and a list of chores can assist you in concentrating on the most important activities in the face of distractions.
• While breastfeeding or pumping milk, work. If you breastfeed, you may want to utilize a hands-free breast pump so that you may continue working or making a phone call while pumping. While nursing, you may be able to handle phone calls or read reports.
• Dress appropriately for work. You may find it beneficial to dress professionally during business hours so that you feel “at work,” and then change into more relaxed clothing in the evening. This also helps split up the day and may assist you in establishing a work and leisure attitude. On the other hand, you may want to work in your leggings and T-shirt.
• While your children are playing, you may work. You may be able to do brief bursts of work while your children are occupied. If feasible, the kind of task you undertake while your children are awake should be interruptible, since your little children will almost certainly be vying for your attention.
• The infant in the activity center
• Make the most of your weekends. For instance, you may like to cook on Saturdays or Sundays in order to have lunches and snacks prepared for the next week. Another nice weekend activity is to explore indoor activities for your infant or toddler so that you are not stranded in the middle of the week.
• Eliminate additional distractions. You already have a lot going on with your infant. If possible, eliminate additional “time wasters” such as social media. There are applications that, for example, prevent you from accessing social media during work hours. Additionally, scheduling a half-hour each day for housework may assist you avoid continuously wanting to get up and put things away.
• Maintain realism. You may need to be more adaptable in your approach to work and more imaginative in your use of the hours you have available. Accomplish not berate yourself if you are unable to do everything, or if you are unable to do everything perfectly—no one is! A more realistic objective for a working parent is to be efficient and productive, which you may do by implementing some of the suggestions in this article.
• Allow time for yourself, if possible. It’s common to get cabin fever while working from home for a prolonged period of time while caring for your kid. If possible, spend some time for yourself during your children’s afternoon nap or after they’ve fallen asleep, whether it’s watching a series, taking a luxurious bath, or exercising.
• Continue reading for detailed advice on how to operate around a newborn, older infant, or toddler.

Working from Home While Caring for a Newborn

Your infant will most likely sleep in three- to four-hour lengths during the day, which means that you may be able to work in substantial blocks throughout her daytime sleep times. Bear in mind that you’ll be waking up for feedings as well, even if you’re sharing them with your spouse, so be prepared to feel a bit more groggy throughout the day.

While you work, you may like to “carry” your infant in a baby carrier, sling, or wrap so that he or she may feel secure while you do tasks.

Although a bassinet is a nice-to-have luxury, it may be beneficial for a work-at-home parent since it can be quickly relocated next to your desk or table, enabling you to be near to your infant while you work.

Of course, you may also transfer your child’s crib from room to room if the width of your doors permits. Bear in mind that your baby should sleep exclusively in her crib or bassinet for her protection.

Maintaining Productivity While At Home With an Elderly Baby

As your baby will want to be close to you and you will want to keep an eye on her, put a few toys or an activity center on a play mat or in a nearby playpen. This manner, you may be able to get in some work while your child plays nearby.

If your baby is comfortable in one and you have one, she can also spend brief periods of time in a baby swing, glider, or bouncer. This manner, you may work in peace and quiet while your baby entertains herself.

Your baby is likely to take two naps each day—one in the morning and another in the afternoon—so take advantage of these times to catch up on work.

While Caring for Your Toddler, You Can Work From Home

Working from home with a toddler offers a number of advantages and disadvantages. The upside is that your child may be able to occupy himself for brief periods of time and may still take one or two naps per day during which you may work. The issue is that while your child is awake, she may need more care.

It is OK to anticipate that your older toddler will occupy herself for brief periods of time on occasion. You may need to be strong in informing her that she has toys to play with and that she must play quietly for the next 30 minutes. Consider putting a timer on your phone or microwave to assist your youngster realize that solo play time is limited. Assure them that after the timer sounds, you will be able to take a break and spend time with them — playing their favorite game or reading a few books, for example. Remember, autonomous play and the ability to utilize her imagination to avoid boredom are critical skills to develop.

Create a safe environment for your child to play alone to assist her. Perhaps you have completely childproofed the living room and are allowing your toddler to play freely there while you work nearby at the kitchen counter or dining room table.

Reward your child for playing alone by complimenting her and expressing interest in her activities.

Another alternative is to set up a separate “workstation” for your older toddler at the other end of the table from you. For instance, she may be “working” on a sketch while you are composing emails. You might explain to her that she is now an adult and that you will both work for 30 minutes before taking a break together.