10 Tips for Working From Home With Kids

If you work outside the home, you might remember when going to work meant going to a place where you could just focus on work. Working from home with kids changes all of that. Even if your kids are in school most of the year, there are plenty of times they’re home with you: summer break, school holidays and sick days. And if you have babies and toddlers who aren’t in school yet, every day is a work-from-home-with-kids day.

Since I’ve been working as a sleep consultant and primarily working from home for years now, I thought I would share a few tips for managing the work from home and mom life combo. My kids were younger when I started working from home, and I’ve been running my business from home for years now. I know firsthand that it can be a struggle to find balance while attempting to stay productive. (Not to mention making sure our kids are safe, fed and happily occupied!) It won’t look perfect, but there are a few strategies that you can implement that will make this complicated situation just a little bit easier.

Tips for Working From Home With Kids

Communicate With Your Boss and Co-Workers

You may need to make some adjustments to your work schedule to ensure that you’re able to keep an eye on your kids. Be sure to mention the current situation when speaking with your boss, and emphasize that flexibility is needed. Explore ways that would allow you to work fewer hours or flexible hours while still getting the job done.

In this instance, overcommunication works well. Keep your boss and co-workers informed of your progress, and if you feel as if you’re getting behind schedule, it’s always best to be proactive. Keep your team informed, and if it’s at all possible, consider delegating tasks out or ask for backup. This is a prime example of a time where it’s more than okay to ask for help.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If your budget allows, consider part-time childcare, a babysitter or a mother’s helper for your most important work hours. Even a few hours of coverage a week can free you up for calls and focused work. And remember, friends and family can sometimes be just a Zoom call away.  Aunts, uncles or grandparents can help entertain the kids while you get important stuff done. You can also try out remote art, music or dance classes to keep the little ones occupied and engaged.

Set Boundaries and Minimize Distractions

When working from home surrounded by toys, unmade beds and dirty dishes it gets more difficult to put these things “out of sight, out of mind.” Not to mention, when our friends, family members and kids see us at home, they might automatically assume that we are always available. In order to make sure that we continue to get our work done, we must set clear boundaries and minimize distractions. A good way to do this is to set up a separate work area and make it clear that when you are in your office, you’re at work.

That might seem obvious, but it can be simple to forget, especially if you have been answering questions and taking care of things all day. If you have older kids you can try closing the door to your office or putting a sign on the door when you’re in meetings. Carve out specific slots of time to sit down with the kids to go over questions, and although it might be tempting, make peace with the fact that not everything is going to line up perfectly.

Create a Schedule That’s Easy to Follow

Speaking of making time for different activities, you’ll be surprised at how much more productive you can be when you adhere to a strict schedule. The to-do list will look less daunting when you know that you’ve scheduled in a specific time to take care of the household tasks. You can also try scheduling out time in blocks.

Try moving the more difficult or time-consuming tasks to those times of the day when your children are either busy with an activity or earlier in the morning, before they wake up. If your partner is also working remotely from home, you can try out taking different shifts where one parent is able to get some uninterrupted work time.

Plan Your Work Around Nap Time and Bedtime

As a sleep consultant, this is my favorite tip. A consistent nap and bedtime routine is one of the best productivity tools a work-from-home parent can have. When your little one naps at the same time every day and goes to bed at a predictable hour, you know exactly when your quiet windows are coming, and you can build your daily schedule around them.

Here’s how I like to split up the work:

• During nap time: client calls, writing, planning and anything else that needs your full focus.
• After bedtime: catching up on emails, admin work and prepping for tomorrow.
• While kids are awake: quick tasks you can knock out in short bursts, like replying to messages or scheduling posts.

If your child’s naps are short or unpredictable right now, working on a solid routine is worth the effort. Protecting nap time and bedtime is good for your kids, and it gives you back reliable, uninterrupted hours to get your work done.

Keep Kids Busy With Independent Play and Quiet Time

Independent play is a skill, and the more kids practice it, the longer they can stay happily busy on their own. Set up a few activities ahead of time and rotate them so they still feel new. Here are some ideas by age:

• Babies and Toddlers: A safe play space with a few rotating toys, board books, stacking cups or a busy board. Keep it close to your workspace so you can keep an eye on them. Most toddlers do best with short activities they can switch between.
• Preschoolers: Play dough, sticker books, puzzles, building blocks, a dress-up bin or a sensory bin they can use while you’re nearby. A new coloring book can buy you a surprising amount of time.
• School-Age Kids: Reading, drawing, LEGO, workbooks, audiobooks or a quiet time box filled with activities they only get to use while you work. Older kids can also help keep younger siblings busy.

Quiet time is also a great habit for kids who have outgrown naps. An hour in their room with books and quiet toys gives everyone a reset in the middle of the day.

Finally, use screen time strategically. Instead of letting it fill the whole day, save it for the moments you really need it, like an important call or a tight deadline. It works better when it feels like a treat.

Prep Snacks and Meals Ahead

Snack requests are one of the biggest sources of interruptions when you’re working from home with kids. Get ahead of them by setting up a snack bin your kids can reach on their own, in the pantry or on a low shelf in the fridge. Fill it with pre-portioned options like cheese sticks, fruit, crackers or yogurt pouches, and let kids know they can grab something from the bin whenever they’re hungry. Add a water bottle they can refill themselves and you’ll cut out half the “Mom, can I have…” moments.

Prepping lunches the night before or doing a little meal prep on the weekend helps too. When the food is ready to go, mealtime takes minutes instead of pulling you away from work for half an hour.

Involve Your Kids in Simple Tasks

Kids love to feel included, so let them “work” alongside you. Set up a little desk or table next to your home office with coloring pages, workbooks, a notepad or an old keyboard so they have their own workspace. Many kids are happy to sit and do their work while you do yours, especially when it feels like a grown-up job.

You can also give them small household jobs, like matching socks, wiping the table or sorting toys. It keeps little hands busy, teaches responsibility and makes them feel like part of the team. Bonus: you get a few chores done at the same time.

Don’t Forget to Take Breaks

When you start to feel like it’s getting more and more difficult to focus, that means it’s time to take some time off from the computer for a bit. Staring at the screen all day can lead to eye strain, headaches, dry eyes and neck pain. Sitting in the same position all day can lead to aches and pains.

A short, 5-minute break won’t halt your productivity. It will enhance it. A few things you could try are setting a timer and stretching, going for a walk or moving to some music. Just remember to keep moving your body. When you start to feel worn out, the best thing you can do is take a break and come back stronger.

Set Realistic Expectations: Be Easy on Yourself (and Your Kids)

Working from home with kids is hard on parents, and it can be just as hard on our little ones, who don’t always understand why you’re home but busy. Don’t forget to prioritize alone time and self-care for yourself. Focus on living in the present moment and seek out the opportunities to just relax and have fun with your kids. Work on letting go of perfection and celebrate the small wins. You’re doing a great job.

Working From Home With Kids FAQs

Is It Possible to Work From Home With a Baby or Toddler?

Yes, but it takes planning. Babies and toddlers need constant supervision, so most parents get their focused work done during nap time, early mornings and evenings, or with help from part-time childcare.

How Do You Keep Kids Busy While Working From Home?

Rotate a few independent play activities, build quiet time into your routine and keep a snack bin within reach. Save screen time for calls and deadlines so it works when you really need it. Working from home with kids won’t always look perfect, but with a solid routine, a little prep and realistic expectations, it gets so much easier. Start with one or two of these tips and build from there. And if you’re dreaming of a flexible career you can build around your kids, take a look at our sleep consultant certification.

Make Working From Home With Kids Work for Your Family

At the end of the day, working from home with kids is all about finding a routine that works for your family. Some days, you’ll get through your entire to-do list. Other days, you’ll barely make it through a meeting without someone needing a snack, a diaper change, or your attention. I’ve been there!

My biggest piece of advice? Give yourself from grace, ask for help when you need it, and remember that your schedule doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. And if you’re looking for a career that gives you more control over your hours, becoming a certified sleep consultant might be worth exploring.

Schedule a discovery call with me, Jayne Havens, and let’s talk about whether this path is right for you. You can also check out our free ebook, Launching Your Career as a Sleep Consultant, to learn more at your own pace.

Best,

Jayne Havens