Having kids at home can feel a little overwhelming at times. Getting work and chores done while they are in the house sounds almost like moving a mountain. It’s true that having kids in the house means countless interruptions and constant chaos. Getting any work done is possible only when you plan your time effectively. If you try to wing it and be spontaneous, you will find yourself feeling like a complete mess, pulling your hair out. After the year 2020, I think we all can attest to letting our kids do some things while we try to work as best as possible. So maybe there are other tips I haven’t included. Also, don’t get down on yourself if you are still trying to figure things out, it’s an everyday process. Here are my tips to get more done at home with kids:
Simple tips to get more done at home with kids
To save you all the trouble, here are five simple tips on how you can get more work done at home with kids, even toddlers.
1.Create a Routine
The key to getting more work done at home with kids is planning and chalking out your daily activities in the form of a routine. And adhering to it as strictly as you can. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge says that a written schedule is most important. You need to map out your daily activities, and that of your child as well. So that your kids have something meaningful and enjoyable to do when you are in work mode. Dr. Hodge also recommends showing your kids the list of things they can do while you are working.
2. Take a Quick Break
When you are at home, dealing with one thing after the other, it makes sense to take short breaks in between to recharge your energy. You can take a ten-minute break every two hours of work. And use this break to relax. Have a snack, take a deep breath, meditate or spend some time with your kids. It’s important that you release the tension of the two hours in those ten minutes. So that the next two hours are just as productive and don’t tire you out.
3. Naps to Save the Day
This works extremely well for younger children. They tend to sleep at certain times. And you have those quiet hours to you to get the majority of your work done. Make the most of them, and according to a priority list, finish the most important chores during their nap time.
On the flip side, it’s also very important for you to take time to rest when needed as you can’t pour from an empty cup. So if that means you
4. You don’t have to Bear the Burden Alone
It is almost impossible for one person to get everything done from home management to looking after the kids to working. This is where your partner steps in and shares your duties. So that both of you can work more efficiently.
Figure out a way to involve your partner in some of the daily activities that your kids do. So that he or she can get some quality time with the kids as well while you work.
You don’t become a bad parent if you hand over the reins to your partner for an hour or two. In fact, that is actually recommended for your and your family’s healthy lifestyle.
This was the single biggest hurdle I had to get over especially when the girls were very young. My husband has a very stressful job and I thought everything he complained about was my fault and the girls being kids was also my fault. When I realized this was a team effort, I was able to relax and get more done. I no longer felt bad when asking Steve to share some of the parenting and house responsibilities and our relationship grew stronger because of it. I no longer felt that my job or my responsibilities were a burden.
5. Netflix and Work
Today, the thousands of kids’ movies and shows available at the tips of our fingers on Netflix is like a boon to every parent. After all, what can be better than to let your child watch an enjoyable movie and be completely engrossed in it while you get your work done? It’s true that this tactic works quite well, but only when you put a cap on the time your child gets to sit in front of the screen. Too much screen time is bad for your child’s health, and it makes you look like a lousy parent at best. Hence, Netflix time should be limited only to an hour or two during the day. — If this works for you. Some kids don’t do well with screens and would rather play. Others (like mine) could sit and watch all day so I have to really limit them.
Further, you can get your kid involved in some other meaningful activity, like painting, reading, or gardening. Research has proved time and time again that these activities help in your child’s psychological and emotional development, and are a must.
Tell your child to sit and read a storybook, or draw something nice while you work. Later, don’t forget to reward them for it. This will work as an incentive to them, and they will be indulging in these activities more frequently, on their own.
Working from home with kids can be a challenge, but there are some simple things you can do to make it work.
First, create a schedule and try to stick to it as much as possible. This will help you to stay focused on work during work time and to enjoy quality family time during other parts of the day. It’s also important to cut yourself some slack – remember that you’re doing the best you can. Older children can play independently for short periods of time, so use that time to get some work done. If you have younger children, try to schedule conference calls or other meetings during their nap times or quiet times.
And finally, give yourself some undivided attention at least 15 minutes each day – either in the morning before everyone else wakes up or at night after the kids are in bed. A house full of kids is noisy, messy, and can be chaos but it doesn’t always have to be if you can discipline yourself as well as your child. These nifty tactics will definitely help you balance out your work and parenting. No more pulling your hair out!
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