Being a mom means kids banging on the bathroom door like SWAT, asking for a drink, while you’re in the shower. And Dad is in the kitchen.
@SarcasticMommy4
Working from home with kids is no easy feat– whether you’re completing your schoolwork or attempting to juggle a remote job with parental responsibilities.
While there’s no pause button on your baby, and shushing them is a temporary measure sure to be met with screams, there are certain steps you can take to make the situation a little more bearable.
Establishing a work space is critical to ensuring that you can manage your workload. Attempting to complete your job in your kids playroom, or in bed, makes getting into the work mindset all the more difficult (which can, in turn, hinder your productivity).
Your work space doesn’t have to be an office. You could set up a little desk in your bedroom (see the makeshift standing desk in the image above). You could also designate a section of your dining table, or your kitchen, to being a “work only” zone.
Regardless of where you work, it’s important that you are able to separate being a parent from being a student or employee. By isolating yourself in your corner, you can participate in conference calls, timed quizzes and other critical responsibilities without interruption.
Asserting boundaries once you designate your work space is also key to helping you successfully complete work. Tell your kids, or your partner (or both, preferably not in the same tone) that once you’re “at work” you shouldn’t be interrupted.
You may not be able to complete a full 8 hour shift, because, well, baby is your timekeeper now. However, you should aim to create a schedule that fits your child’s routine. For instance, you may work in 2-hour blocks, then spend the interim hour nursing, playing with or comforting your baby.
Lastly, investing in noise-cancelling headphones is a necessity. There isn’t much explanation needed for this; your baby is loud. This is a fact.
While working from home may seem like an impossible task, it’s overall manageable providing you organize your time well, isolate yourself from your toddler’s terror, and remember to clock out when the day is over.
One of the biggest pitfalls of working from home is that you can’t physically leave your workplace when your shift is up, and you may be tempted to continue working well into the quiet hours of the night.
The general consensus is, if possible, don’t. Turn off your computer and remember to a practice self-care if possible. Work-life balance is a cornerstone of virtually any reputable company or college, and this applies to working from home as well.
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