How to Work from Home with Kids

If you have kids and work from home, getting everything done can sometimes feel like an impossible balancing act. The daily tasks can seem endless: work, meetings, homework… the list goes on! If you’re feeling overwhelmed with juggling work and family, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ve got some helpful tips and tricks for how to successfully work from home with kids.

6 Tips for Working from Home with Kids

While it’s not always easy to work from home with kids, it can help to have a good routine and specific procedures in place. Try the following strategies to achieve a better work–life balance:

1. Have a Designated Workspace

It’s important to have a designated workspace in your home – and for your kids to understand that it’s only for your use during work hours. You can still create a home office even if you live in a small house or apartment; you just need to carve out a quiet space where you can concentrate without too many distractions.

2. Break Tasks into Manageable Chunks

Split your daily work tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and work in short, focused intervals (e.g., the Pomodoro Technique). This way, you can be more efficient during limited periods of undistracted time. Focus on the most important and time-sensitive tasks during the kids’ nap times (or when they’re otherwise occupied), and save the less critical work for when you need more flexibility.

Also schedule short breaks throughout the workday to spend quality time with your kids. Not only does this keep you from getting overwhelmed, but it also gives your kids the attention they need.

3. Plan Your Kids’ Activities for the Day

Have supplies on hand and a plan in place for engaging activities that your children can do independently or with minimal supervision. These can help keep them occupied while you check work off your to-do list or attend a virtual meeting.

4. Set Expectations with Your Employer

Communicate with your employer about your childcare situation so that you can discuss expectations for deadlines, work hours, and flexibility. Most likely, your employer will want to work with you to ensure you’re managing your workload and avoiding burnout.

5. Be Patient with Yourself

Working from home with kids can be stressful, even under the best of circumstances. Be patient with yourself and acknowledge that you won’t always be as productive as you would be if you were in an office. And remember that it’s OK to ask for help and take self-care days when needed!

6. Consider a Flexible Freelance Career

Consider a career that not only allows you to work from home, but is also flexible in terms of the workload and schedule. Remote freelance work, such as a career in proofreading, editing, or writing, can be an ideal option for parents with kids at home. It allows you to work on your own time, such as early mornings before the kids wake up or at night after they go to sleep, and set your own daily tasks. And for many freelance jobs, it’s possible to get certified entirely online.

Becoming a Freelancer

Are you interested in pursuing a rewarding and flexible freelance career that allows you to balance professional life with childcare responsibilities? Check out one of our comprehensive courses! They’ll teach you everything you need to know about launching your own remote freelance business. Try a free trial today!