Let’s face it: Having to adjust to working from home because of social distancing is hard enough.
But working at home with KIDS?! Figuring out how to get everything done while also having to help kids with homework, their meals, their general well-being, and what not?
There are worse things in the world, and just like any life adjustments — you make it work.
Now, you can either be someone who just suffers through the chaos of it all and who is reactive to what’s happening…
OR, you can be someone who thinks ahead and is PROACTIVE with how you can make working from home with kids not only work for you but also make you (and your kids) more productive and maximize your time during social distancing.
Your days don’t have to be hectic, and work doesn’t have to suffer just because you suddenly have the little ones at home.
We have a few working parents here at Harv Eker International, and they definitely know a thing or two about how to get s**t done while working from home with having a full house. So if working from home with kids has been a headache for you, great news! We’ve rounded up some of our team’s best tips for maximizing your productivity, even with the kids right in the next room.
Enjoy!
Your days don’t have to be hectic, and work doesn’t have to suffer just because you suddenly have the little ones at home. Here are 8 Tips For Being Productive With the Kids at Home. Share on X8 Productivity Tips For Working At Home With Kids
1. Set a Daily Schedule for the Whole Family
Dana, our rock-star Operations Manager and mother of two (8yo and 11yo) says,
Set dedicated “work” hours for yourself so that the kids know what time is “work” time and when you have meetings and are occupied and not-to-be disturbed. If you live with a partner who also works, the two of you can switch on and off with your hours or work in shifts so that one of you can be available to the kids if they need help with something, while the other is guaranteed to be able to focus on work.
Believe it or not, having LESS time to work can help you become even MORE efficient during work hours. It’ll force you to focus and get s**t done more quickly, which in the end, can help your career or business.
Dana also adds,
Make sure to come up with a schedule for the kids to follow, too, and give them a list of things that must be done (including school work) before they can engage in free time at the end of the day.
For example:
- Bath/shower, general hygiene, get dressed for the day
- Daily chores
- A minimum of 1 hour outside
- Create something – craft, piece of writing, build legos, pillow fort, letter to a friend.
- Read for enjoyment (time dependent on age)
Also, align your breaks with breaks for the kids. Set exact times for snacks and meals, and eat them together. This way, they know exactly when to expect lunch on the table and they won’t interrupt you to ask, “How much longer until lunchtime?”
If you have children who are too young to be in school yet, it’s a great idea to come up with some “school” activities for them as well, to keep them busy while their older siblings work. Then, when they go down for their naps, give the older kids break time, which will allow you to catch up on emails or quick tasks.
2. Set Clear Expectations From the Get-Go
Oftentimes, we get distracted and overwhelmed and say, “To h*ll with it!” or “screw this!”, as far as making sure everything on your list and your children’s lists gets accomplished. Set clear expectations from the start — both for yourself and your kids — by creating a manageable checklist of things to do each day.
Samuel, our kick-ass Marketing Manager and father of three (15yo, 10yo, 7yo) says,
If your kid is doing online learning, make them a digital checklist of what’s expected from them to do each day. Some teachers may already be providing lists like these, or you can create one based on what they’ve been assigned. You can also take advantage of the power of positive reinforcement by offering kids a reward once they’ve checked all their tasks off the list.
Kids will have gaps in their day where they’ll need to occupy themselves to allow you to work.
Whether it be household chores/tasks, or extra “homework” assignments, make them a list each day where they have tasks to cross off.
When they come up to you and tell you they have nothing to do, you’ll be prepared with a literal list of ideas.
3. Create A Daily Checklist & Time Block Your Calendar
Set a checklist for yourself each day as well, whether you prefer to jot tasks down in your day planner or add them to your calendar electronically.
Emily, our amazing Executive Assistant and mom of 4 (11yo, 9yo, 8yo, 2yo) adds,
Since our days are so filled with unpredictability right now, listing out everything that needs to get done before calling it quitting time will help you stay focused and motivated to keep pushing forward. Setting aside dedicated blocks of time for each task will also help you to stay on track and make sure everything gets done during working hours.
4. Get Up and Get Dressed For “School” And Work
Social distancing doesn’t mean you should be in your pajamas all day long!
Mary, our Editor-in-Chief and mom of one (14 yo) advises,
Make it a habit to still get out of bed, shower, get dressed in something other than PJs or sweat pants, and keep up with your regular grooming routine. You’ll feel better, and you’ll be more confident and motivated, which will project during all of those Zoom or Google Hangout meetings with colleagues.
Not convinced? A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that doctors who wore a lab coat were more focused on their work, which makes sense! If we look professional, it makes us act professional. And if we look like a mess, odds are we’re going to feel like a mess too.
Bottom line: you’re probably going to be more attentive and focused when you wear your regular, work clothes than when you’re in your sweatpants!
Mary also adds,
And get your kids to do the same! Get them in the habit of starting their day as if they were headed off to school. The more “themselves” they feel while doing their schoolwork at home, the more productive they’ll be, and the easier it’ll be when they finally do go back to school.
5. Set up a Dedicated Work or Office Space
Candace, our amazing Social Media Specialist and mom of two (6 yo, 1 yo) says,
Staying in your PJs and working from the couch, the bedroom, or whatever the coziest spot in the house can be tempting. But even though your daily commute just got a whole lot shorter, designate a space that is strictly and consistently used for work purposes so that you’re aren’t tempted by distractions (the TV, package deliveries, etc.). This will also help you resist the urge to “half” focus on work while playing with the kids at the same time.
Be sure to set boundaries for kids so they know you are not to be disturbed when you’re in your workspace.
Candace continues,
When you have a dedicated office space, you can also add some lightheartedness to the day by bringing your kids “to work.” If you have school-age children who are old enough to understand that mom/dad needs to work, use this time with them at home as a teaching lesson by “taking them to work” with you for a few minutes each day.
Explain to them what you do, go over your daily tasks, and remind them why it’s so important for you to keep doing your job. They’ll gain a better understanding of what you are doing during work time, and they won’t feel as left out of your day.
6. Accept & Expect That There Will Be Hiccups
There are going to be times when things just don’t go according to plan, even when you have a daily schedule in place. For maximum efficiency, focus on completing one task at a time and lower your expectations!
Emily says,
Don’t expect to get 4 hours of uninterrupted work done. It’s not going to happen with the kids at home. Break up your day, do 30-minutes of work, then 30-minutes of family time, helping your kid(s) with their schoolwork, etc.
When you’re working from home with your kids, let all the expectations go and be flexible.
Emily continues,
Are your kids having more phone/tablet/TV time than you’d usually let them have? Don’t beat yourself up over it. You’re not a bad parent. This is a special circumstance, and it won’t last forever.
7. Make Time for Fun & Play
Jenn, the wonderful wife of our Managing Director & CEO, Jesse Eker, and mom of one (9 mo) says,
Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you need to spend every single second working. In fact, this is the best time to practice self-care and invest in yourself and your well-being. Make time for a walk outside, an online yoga glass, or soaking up the pages of a good book. Play, laugh, and take time to relax together as a family.
Also, don’t forget that while adults are going stir-crazy, the same is probably happening with kids.
Be empathetic with what they’re going through. Give them space to just BE and have fun.
Kids are used to a certain routine at school, being surrounded by friends and classmates, and having playdates or sleepovers.
Schedule a family game night, set up a virtual playdate with their friends, or simply spend time playing with them.
8. Make Time For Emotional Check-Ins
Troy, our incredible Head of Marketing and father of one (3yo) reminds us,
Having emotional check-ins with the kids will allow them to express their feelings about what is going on. This is a really hard time for everyone, and children are just as sensitive to this change as adults are.
Talk to your kid(s), and make sure they’re okay.
Ask how you can support them and make sure they know we’re all in this together.
9. Some Final Words: Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
None of us are living in a state of normalcy right now, and we’re all doing the best we can to get through this pandemic one day at a time. The list of ways to be productive while working at home with the kids is endless, but it’s all a matter of getting creative and “hacking” the system in a way that works for you.
The list of ways to be productive while working at home with the kids is endless, but it’s all a matter of getting creative and “hacking” the system in a way that works for you. Share on XYes, you will probably have days where you are much more productive than others.
But the good news is, we have nothing but time on our hands, so there are more than enough minutes in the day to play catch-up if we happen to get a little behind.
What are your tips for staying productive while the kids are at home? Do you have any tricks you can share? We’d love to hear from you — leave a comment below!
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