21 Dec How to Boost Productivity When Working From Home With Young Children

The post below was written by fellow parenting blogger, Janice Russell, of parentingdisasters.com.

Working from home when you have kids is hard, particularly when you have a baby and/or toddler in tow. Amid diaper changes, feedings, naps, and guarding your little ones against dangerous objects/situations, it may seem like there’s never enough time in the day to finish your work tasks. I’m not going to sugarcoat it — no matter what you do, you’ve got your work cut out for you (no pun intended). 

The Family Time Blog strives to help parents navigate everyday challenges by sharing personal experiences and offering the occasional tip. Here are a few things you can do to up your productivity as a remote working parent with young children at home.

Get the space and equipment you need.

First of all, it’s going to be hard to get anything done if you don’t have a dedicated workspace. Sure, you’ll need to work on the sofa or at the dining room table every now and then. But having a workspace that provides a little separation from your work and home life will help you to stay focused while the kids are sleeping or if you are ever not on child duty. A lot of parents find that a spare bedroom, garage, or basement works well for this purpose. 

Also, make sure you have the equipment and tools necessary to do your job. If you don’t already have one, get a reliable laptop or desktop computer. Make sure you have a good Internet connection and acquire anything else you may need. 

There are also a lot of software tools to consider when working remotely. If you work for a company, they may require you to use certain ones. Regardless, research the various communications/collaboration, project management, accounting, and productivity apps that can help you succeed. 

Since you’ll be doing much of your work online, it’s essential to protect your network and devices. Learn as much as you can about cybersecurity and identity theft protection, and take any steps necessary to practice online safety. 

Maximize the quiet hours.

Depending on whether you have a baby, a toddler, or both, it might be challenging to figure out solid work hours throughout the day. That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of any moments your home is quiet. It might be early in the morning, late at night, during naps, or any other time your children are sleeping and you have an opportunity to devote undivided attention to your work. It will require flexibility on your part, but make the most of these hours.

Create a space of containment.

You’re not the only one who needs their own space. If you have a baby who is rolling around or crawling, create a space for them where they can wander safely. That might mean investing in a playpen, putting down a mat surrounded by pillows, or trying any other methods of containing your babe while you tackle your tasks.

Allow a little more screen time.

Okay, so you’ve probably heard about how bad too much screen time is for children. However, when you need to get work done so that you can support your family, allowing a little leniency with regards to screen time can provide you with a little extra time to get things done during the day. Look for fun, educational shows that can help your children learn while you can stay productive.

It’s difficult, but you can succeed at remote work when you have young children at home. Consider the tips listed here, and keep researching this topic and trying out new things until you find methods that work. In no time, you’ll be knocking out those daily tasks without compromising your ability to parent well!

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