You sit down to finally begin to edit. Your coffee is hot; your mind is clear. You feel encouraged, strong and empowered as an entrepturer that can accomplish anything. Then your phone rings, your baby wakes and your dog gets into the trash again. Within minutes, you’re doubting it all.
“I can’t do this; I might as well quit! How can I possibly be a stay at home parent and run a successful business?” At times, it can feel like it is impossible. The good news is with a little organization, you can do both! Here are 7 tips to work from home with kids
Photo by Capturing Joy Photography
TIP # 1 to Work from Home with Kids: SCHEDULE YOUR WORK TIME
It is important that you schedule your work time. This literally means you need to pull out your calendar and write the exact times you are going to be “at work”. If you have a partner, it is important that you include him/her in this process. If you are scheduled on both of your calendars, there is no confusion later.
This is key to manage work-anxiety. When you feel overwhelmed by a deadline, you will always be able to look at the calendar and know your time to work is coming. Creating a schedule empowers you to strike a work-life balance you enjoy.
TIP # 2 SCHEDULE PLAY TIME WITH YOUR KIDS
You scheduled business hours. Congratulations! However, make sure you have designated time for play. It is hard to work from home with kids because there are so many demands everywhere. This is the time your kids run into the room and receive your full attention because you are not at work. You do not check emails, pick up your phone or think about the to-do list. When you feel anxious about work, then you can remind yourself, you have set business hours. That time is coming, but for now, you are booked with your kids.
Tip # 3 – WHEN ITS WORK TIME, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.
Even if you have a home office, it is more productive to work outside the home. At home, you will hear your kids and be distracted by home chores. Basically, this is the time when you work and do not run your home. So it’s best to get out of your house. Go to your local library. Go to a coffee shop. Or consider renting an office to work.
TIP # 4 – USE AN APP TO TAKE CARE OF URGENT BUSINESS
Let’s be realistic. Even with your scheduled work hours, during the day you will have to maintain your business. You have to check emails and social media that can’t wait for your scheduled business hours. Set two times a day to check your email, social media, and phone. Give yourself 15-20 minutes. Do your business maintenance to take care of anything urgent! Then tag the rest to take care of during your scheduled business hours.
Use an App such as OFFTIME to turn off business applications. Then you control your notifications so they won’t interrupt your protected family time.
TIP # 5 OUTSOURCE WHAT YOU CAN
Perhaps one of the simplest ways to support working parents is to outsource. Consider outsourcing the following:
- Editing
- Blogging and social media assistant
- House cleaner
- Laundry
- Cooking (even premade healthy frozen meals)
TIP # 6 WORK IN A PLAYPLACE
To get a few extra business hours, search for places where you can work and your kids can play. If you use this as your scheduled work time, you may be disappointed if it does not work out. Join an indoor play area such as JumpStreet. Gyms such as LifeTime are also amazing options. They have coffee shops and amazing child centers. For a more affordable option, consider an updated indoor playground at McDonalds. Most now have separate play rooms with nice tables and wifi. Grab a cup of coffee and work while your kids play for hours!
TIP # 7 FIND OTHER WORKING PARENTS AND CREATE A GROUP
Other working parents are in the same boat as you. Create a weekly or monthly work day at someone’s home. Hire a babysitter to watch the kids while everyone works. Split the costs and get a lot done! This also helps with socializing (let’s face it, being a business owner and parent can be lonely).
We cannot do it all. Our kids need us. Our business needs us. The truth is running a business while running a home is hard work! But you are not alone and the good news is: YOU CAN DO THIS!
Your co-worker and stay-at-home-mom,
