How to Work From Home Remotely and Stay Productive With Kids
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Parents Juggle Responsibilities of a Flourishing Career and Their Families by Working Remote
Have you ever felt the pinch of having to pick between either your career or your family? If you have, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are many remote opportunities that allow for a peaceful work/life balance. I’m blessed to have both experiences, being in office as well as work from home, throughout my career and motherhood.
Once upon a time (especially before having young children), I loved getting dressed up and going to work in an office environment. I was excited to chat with my peers. In-person brainstorming sessions with my colleagues were exciting. Having this social environment helps keep my creative spark going.
Family a Huge Motivating Factor to Work From Home
As my family grew – and child care became too expensive and hard to come by – I explored different options. These options were mainly jobs that agreed with my stay-at-home lifestyle. As a mom, I wanted to work from home remotely. It was important for me to stay up to date with all the latest industry trends in marketing, while also being able to keep my house in order. Being home for my kids was my number one priority.
While both options – working in office and remotely – each have their pros and cons, in my personal experience I believe that working from home outweighs commuting to the office. Remote work gave me a better work/life balance.
Working from home gives me great joy, as I’m able to receive my children myself from school. I can adjust my hours and handle all of my projects around family time. Working remotely, I still reach my goals before any given deadline. I’m much happier being at home and in turn I give my best at work.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons for working from home, in my opinion. Keep reading for some helpful advice to stay productive with kids in the house.
Pros for Remotely Working From Home
You Save Money Working Remotely
Working remotely allows you to be frugal in many different ways. Save money on soaring gas prices, that impacts your car, bus, or train ride. Not to mention all the office clothes you don’t have to buy for your wardrobe. I don’t know about you, but I barely remember (or have the time) to pack a lunch. So, eating out was a constant when I worked in the office. Working from home, I cook my own food and save so much money!
Be Happier in The Comfort of Your Own Home
The best part about working from home – in my opinion – is being comfortable. We’ve all seen the hilarious TikTok’s on people dressed professionally waist up, but everything else (not in the camera view) might be underwear and slippers. The beauty of being in the comfort of your own home helps you be relaxed. Studies show that happiness makes people more productive at work, even up to 20% more productive than employees who are not happy.
Be Healthier and More Productive
The time not spent commuting allows you to be more productive at home, whether it’s catching up on some house work or getting a head start on your daily tasks for a successful day at work. By having better use of your time, you can develop some healthy habits as well. Maybe squeeze in an hour of exercise before work, or take your breaks outside for some sunshine and fresh air.
I used to have an hour long commute, and working from home now allows me to walk my daughter to school instead of driving her there. Not only do I get some great quality time chatting with her, but I also walk just over a mile a day that I wouldn’t be doing otherwise.
Cons for Working Remotely from Home
Distractions and Interruptions
However, working remotely with kids comes with its fair share of challenges – especially as mothers – such as being distracted. This Survey found that most mom and dads who worked from home early on in the coronavirus pandemic reported difficulties getting their work done without interruptions.
Not to say working in the office doesn’t come with its fair share of daily interruptions as well, they are just different kind of distractions.
Valuable In-Peron Collaborations
The importance of being able to collaborate in person is not lost on me. Especially for execs like Elon Musk – who infamously gave his employees a return-to-the-office ultimatum. Working in an office with your peers still allows you to have an invaluable connection.
With the rise of digital chats and video calls, working remotely has proven to be a great boost in quality of life while still maintaining your connection with your work colleagues. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other video chats allow employees to stay connected, even if it’s through a screen.
Whether you’ve been working from home for a while now, or are a work-from-home rookie caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it still may be hard to stay focused outside of your work environment. Keep reading for some helpful tips and tricks I’ve found along the way to help you stay productive while you work from home – especially with kids.
Work from Home Tip #1: Have a Dedicated Space for Your Home Office
Not every one has the resources to have their own home office, and that’s okay! But if you can, it is truly a blessing to have your own room for privacy. Having comfortable furniture is a must. A computer desk, cozy chair, and lamps are great to set yourself up for success.
Here are some options I have purchased myself and used over the years. The quality is great and I personally love these choices.
If you are looking for a desk, I highly recommend this L-shape desk. The bottom draw is large enough to keep your files organized, and there is a really neat bookshelf with plenty of space for storage underneath. Place your desk next to a window for some natural sunlight if you can!
And if you want a computer mat for your desk, this one is what I ordered and was great quality:
This is the exact same Serta chair I bought that fit nicely with the desk.
My home office definitely makes work from home a paradise!
Other Options When a Home Office Is Not Possible
Conversely, not every home I’ve lived in had the space to have a whole room dedicated to my office. But with a little bit of creativity I’ve seen some people turn unthinkable spaces (such as a backyard shed) into their work place!
I actually sold my larger home and “downsized” to live more simply. Currently, I have multiple work stations set up all over my house. For example, I have computer desks in my bedroom, living room, and even kitchen corner. Depending on where the kids are when I need to work, I’ll pick the quietest area of the house to settle down and complete my projects. As long as you have a space that the rest of the family respects that is set up for you, it works!
This laptop desk was a present to my husband from his boss that encouraged him to work from home and take care of his mental health during the pandemic. After using this more than he did, I caved and bought my own. It’s perfect for lounging on the couch while catching up on emails.
If you prefer a laptop desk that doubles as a bed tray, this is the one I use:
Having a place where you can work without distractions is crucial to make your work from home job successful. Set it up with comfortable furniture to turn your office dream into a reality.
Work from Home Tip #2: Have a Daily Routine and Stick With It
Having a daily routine will help establish your responsibilities. Not to say you cant have a flexible schedule when working from home, but having some kind of plan and schedule will help you stay on task.
As a working mom, I am fortunate to have a husband who understands when I need a moment to myself to dedicate some time to my job. If your hours are a little more strict, discuss with your partner to see if you can take turns with childcare. What works for us is having a “tag-team” schedule. One of us watches the kids while the other one works and vice versa.
A great idea that came highly recommended from my veteran mom friends is to work during your child’s nap time. I can attest to this advice, as the best time for me to work is at bedtime. I love a quiet house and get so much done. See if knocking out a few hours of work at bedtime can work for you too!
Hybrid Schedule: Work From Home and in the Office
If you’re not able to work remotely full-time, maybe a hybrid schedule will work best for both you and your employer.
Even before the coronavirus shut down many businesses, I was blessed with employers that allowed me to do some type of hybrid schedule. A typical week for me might have been half-days in the office and working the rest of the day from home, or a few days in the office and a few days working remotely.
The key here is to keep open communication with your supervisor or boss. As long as you are able to perform your job duties without any problems, a hybrid schedule can be a great solution.
Working a hybrid schedule gives you the best of both worlds by being able to see your co-workers some days, as well as having a better handle with things at home. Take advantage of work-from-home days, perhaps you catch up on much needed sleep, or get a few loads of laundry during your break time.
Work from Home Tip #3: Create a To-do List To Stay On Track
As mentioned earlier, having a schedule is crucial to having a successful work from home schedule, especially with kids. Creating a to-do list will keep you stay centered by itemizing all your assignments for the day. Treat your work-from-home day no different than if you were in the office. By asking yourself what needs to be accomplished for the day, you can stay focused and continue to excel in your profession.
Work from Home Tip #4: Don’t Waste Time on Social Media
This is probably the biggest fear for most employers – but please don’t waste time on social media when you are supposed to be working. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of “working from home” by not working at all. Don’t be that employee!
Leave your errands for your break time, lunch, or after your work day is over. Try to limit distractions from the TV, your phone, and other electronics that you wouldn’t have access to working in office anyway. When working from home, being available and having your work completed when you say it will be completed is crucial to making your work-from-home gig successful.
Employers have started monitoring their employees, and honestly, who can blame them? If you are on their payroll, your activity during work time shouldn’t be a mystery. Emails, browsers, and collaboration tools are all easily accessible. If you are given the opportunity to work from home, then please still give your all and report your time honestly and fairly. (The bible says, “Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” Psalm 106:03)
Work from Home Tip #5: Get Help With Childcare If Needed
If you find that working from home has too many challenges with your children present, reach out for help! Friends and family members who are capable of watching your babies are more than happy to lend a helping hand. However, not everyone has family nearby to help (I’m unfortunately in this pool).
Finding someone to assist with childcare is no easy task. Online sites offer in-depth searches for caregivers, where you can find help with the kids to alleviate the stresses that working from home with children can bring.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, working from home with kids might present some challenges, but it’s not impossible. Stay productive by setting up a home office, or a dedicated space to work. Have a daily routine, create to-do lists, and don’t waste your time (especially on social media). Finally, if it proves to be too difficult, please get help with childcare if needed. Remember mama, trying to do it all is not healthy for you or your family.
Let me know in the comments below any tips you use when working from home with kids, I’d love to hear them! If you found this article helpful, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our recent blog posts.
