Working From Home With Children
Working at home is becoming more and more common lately. Women are setting up home offices and keeping their children home with them. This can be such a benefit for both parent and child, but it also has some disadvantages.
One of the primary disadvantages is the fact that the children that are at home with are most likely babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Children at each of these
stages are generally high maintenance. They need a lot of care, not to mention the love that you want to give them - the latter of which is probably one of the reasons
that you're working at home to begin with. The disadvantage in all of this is the fact that while you are giving your child the care and love that they deserve, your work is not getting done.
There are ways to give your children the time that they need, and still get your work done. It takes planning, preparation, and follow through. You need to plan your days and organize yourself so that you can stay on top of your workload, household responsibilities, and family.
Babies
With babies, you have to work around them. They need to be fed when they're hungry, they need their nappy changed when it's messy, and they need tons of love. You're going to have to take advantage of any nap time that your baby takes.
Keeping baby entertained
Babies are a lot easier to amuse then say a toddler/preschooler but they still need a lot of time and love not to mention things to keep them occupied.
Music soothes them, swings entertain them (as long as you monitor them for safety), toys for them to admire and reach for keep them busy, and you can lay them on their tummy for a workout while you sit next to them and get some work done.
Toddlers
Toddlers are into everything. They are known for their "search and destroy" demeanor. If you do try to work while your child this age is loose, you must set limits and boundaries from the very beginning with them. Have off-limits areas that are vital to you, such as your computer, your files, etc.
Keeping a toddler entertained
Toddlers tend to copy what their parents do so this will also include your work. He/she will want your pens, want to play on your computer and write all over your paperwork. Designate their own pen and paper a long with their own little desk to work at. Tell him/her that they have to do some drawing for mammy to put on the wall, fridge etc.. It's very hard to keep a toddler out of specific areas, so you really need to take advantage of nap-time and bedtime with children this age. Snacks and cartoons are a way to keep them busy for short periods of time. You could also invest in a good video, say their favorite cartoon character. But try not to get in to the habit of letting him/her watch to much TV.
Preschool children
Preschool children are much easier to work around. They might even be interested In seeing what you're working on. They can pull a chair up next to you, and when they get bored they'll go look through their books and toys or watch a video. Children this age will respect your off-limits areas and items. To keep them involved, you can call their coloring projects their "work" or you can give them old checkbook registers to "balance"... Any ideas like this will make them feel very important. Get your creative mind thinking to let your little ones have fun.
Always remember why you work at home. If we don't dedicate quality time with our children, we might as well go back to the office. They would rather only see you in the evenings than watch you stare at a computer screen all day and holler when they get in the way. They're only young for so long, and before you know it they'll be in school all day. That's going to give you at least six hours of uninterrupted work every day. Enjoy them while they're young, and remember that it doesn't last.
Check out these other articles in the Careers category:
Giving Notice: 6 Things to Do To Prepare to Leave
The Five Most Common - And Most Avoidable - Resume Errors
8 Steps to Getting On-Track When You Start a New Job
Your'e Fired!
Writing a CV: What to Include
Take Note!