Master Your Work-From-Home Routine, Even If You Have Screaming Kids

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Working from home is challenging enough at the best of times. You have to be self-motivated and absolutely committed to what you’re doing. But having children run around, screaming and disturbing you makes it even more difficult. 

In this post, we take a look at some of the ways that you can master your work-from-home routine, whether you live in an apartments complex in the middle of town or a large suburban mansion on the outskirts. 

Schedule Work Time

Even if your work is tough, the main issue is not the work itself. That’s always doable. The issue is the interruptions. You have to continually carve chunks out of your day to ferry kids to school, pick them up, prepare meals and generally look after them and prevent them from getting up to any mischief. 

The trick here is to create a schedule and then stick with it. Working from home is generally quite flexible, so the best approach is to allocate time for kids and then use the rest of the day to concentrate on work. When it comes to working, make sure that that is all you do. Don’t allow anything else to get in the way, otherwise it will derail you. 

Use Naps To Your Advantage

Young children require naps throughout the day. Many will sleep over lunchtime, going to sleep at around 11 am and waking at around 3 pm. You can use this time of the day to be maximally productive. As an adult, you are most awake during these hours and can get the most done.

Put Your “Business Mom” Hat On 

There should be a clear distinction between “at home mom” and “business mom.” “At-home mom” should always be there for her children, providing for their needs. Business mom, on the other hand, should focus solely on work and not allow any interruptions. Tell your children that they cannot disturb you while you work during certain times. If you need to, keep the door closed. You can also ask grandparents to stay over while you focus on your job. 

Find Ways To Keep Your Children Entertained

Kids require almost continuous play. They love to explore the world and master it. However, they can soon get bored, and that often leads to destructive or unhelpful behaviors. 

Moms can get around this by providing them with ample entertainment at the start of the day. Download activities for them from the internet or give them a task to complete that will require their attention and energy. Try to find something constructive that they can focus on so that you can get on with your job. 

Be Prepared For Interruptions

Despite your best efforts, interruptions can and will occur. Children are liable to walk into your office at any time, including while you’re on video calls. 

If you know that this is likely, warn your colleagues in advance. Tell them that your kids are at home with you and that you may need to leave your computer from time to time.