15 Ways to Work From Home with Kids

Work from home, work from home with kids, productivity tips.

If you’re stuck working from home with kids, there’s no doubt it’s going to be challenging! Any parent knows that getting anything done with their kids around can be almost impossible sometimes.

Even though I’m not a parent I do know what it’s like working from home with kids. I’ve been working from home since 2014. I babysit during the day for my sister. Her kids are under the age of 6 years old.

So, I know first-hand how hard it is to get things done for your job, blog, or business. It feels like you’re always pressed for time. It’s especially hard when you have little ones.

However, there are some great tips you can follow to make working from home with the kids much easier. It’s all about finding the right balance. Here, you’ll learn some of the best ways you can effectively work from home even with kids.

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Table of Contents

1) Plan engaging activities

When you need to get on with an important project, it can help to get the kids immersed in an engaging activity. Craft projects tend to be a popular option. They are fun for the kids, and they take a while to complete.

You’ll find hundreds of craft project ideas online. Try and find something which utilizes supplies you already have in the home. Then, they can get on with their crafts while you complete your important work tasks.

Here are a few craft activities I recommend:

My First Learn to Write Workbook

Disney Princess Necklace Activity

Totally Awesome Mazes and Puzzles

2) Create a routine early on

Working from home and having the kids at home all day is a new experience for both you and them. Therefore, it’s going to help if you create a routine as early as you can.

Kids thrive with a routine so make sure you all have set wake up, meal and bedtimes. Try and schedule time you can spend together on your breaks too. That way, they are still getting one-to-one attention from you, reducing the likelihood they’ll pester you when you need to get on with work.

Printables are a great way to help you create a routine. If you could use printables to help you create a new routine then grab my printable lifestyle planner. It will help you keep track of your to-do list, assign chores, and more.

3) Take advantage of nap times

If your kids are still quite young, make sure you take advantage of nap times. These are the perfect opportunities for you to get a bulk of your work done without having to worry about the kids.

This is one of my favorite ways to get things done. One of my nephews is a year old. While my sister is at work, I put him on a nap routine. He takes a nap in the morning and one in the afternoon.

This way I can get things done without interruption. Plus, babies need plenty of sleep. If they don’t get enough, they end up getting fussy. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Try reading a book to your child to help them take a nap. If you have a toddler, I recommend this toddler book. It’s one of my nephew’s favorites.

4) Ensure you have a quiet workspace

One thing you’re going to need when you’re working from home with the kids is a quiet workspace. It should be away from all distractions and ideally, you shouldn’t be disturbed while you’re there.

Of course, this can be tricky, but if you explain to the kids that you can’t be disturbed and why it’s important, you’ll find they are typically willing to listen.

A designated home office is the best way to go about it. You can close the door so they understand you’re working. Plus, it’s a great way to separate work and home life. When you’re done you can leave everything in your office.

If you don’t have the space for a separate home office you can section off part of your bedroom or basement. Having my own space for work helps me a lot. It helps to make you feel like you’re actually going to work.

5) Utilize technology

In usual times, you try to limit your child’s exposure to technology. However, when you’re trying to work from home, you’ll find technology can be a real help.

When you don’t want to be disturbed, let the kids watch a movie or play on a smartphone or tablet device. This will keep them occupied for a longer period of time, allowing you to take that conference call for example.

This trick helps my 7-year-old nephew. What I do is put on a kid-appropriate YouTube channel on our TV. It keeps him preoccupied longer. Plus, it’s an easy way to monitor what he watches.

Plus, there are so many educational apps for kids. Many of them have fun games. There are even coloring book apps. This will definitely buy you some time.

6) Prepare for Interruptions

Don’t expect to never get interrupted ever. This is unrealistic. It’ll cause you to get frustrated. If there’s room in your schedule just take a break. Whenever I get interrupted too much, I take a break. Then when the kids are settled, I resume my work.

Or use the interruption to make them a snack, or take a lunch with them. Most of the time when kids interrupt too much it’s because they want attention. Try telling them when they can expect you to be done. That way they know when you’re done, they’ll have your full attention. I find this to be very helpful.

7) Download Kid-Friendly Printables

Kid-friendly printables are activities that can be printed out for kids. Kids love them. You can print out coloring sheets, math sheets, printable games, etc. There are so many available. It just depends on what your child likes.

It’s guaranteed to keep them busy for a while. I’ve been using this tactic with my nephew. Every time I babysit him, I have a new printable. He loves them. It gives me time to work with no distractions. I usually make my own because I also sell them.

Suzi from startamomblog.com has a tutorial where she shows you how to make them. But if you don’t have time for that go to Pinterest, Etsy or download the activity pack I made!

8) Get Extra Help

Sometimes when all else fails it’s time to get extra help. This could mean hiring a babysitter or asking a relative to babysit. I know right now during the pandemic this isn’t really an option. But when it’s over this can really be beneficial.

Before the pandemic hit my mom would help me babysit so I can get my work done. I know many work-from-home moms that had to get extra help with their kids. When the pandemic is over and it’s safe, consider getting reliable help.

9) Unsupervised activities

This can work on kids of all ages except maybe babies. Unsupervised activities are ones that they can do themselves. They’re activities that are safe for them to do unsupervised. You won’t have to sit there and help them do it.

It can be a puzzle, a video game, a sensory bin for little kids, etc. The only limit is your imagination. There are so many ideas and activities. Just do a Pinterest search and see what comes up. Just remember that it must be something they can do on their own.

When it comes to toddlers or babies that can walk, I recommend a toy. A fun toy that they can sit and play with. I use toys like this with my 2-year-old nephew. They are safe and he loves them.

10) Focus on the Important Tasks

Rome wasn’t built in a day. When you’re working from home with kids there’s only so much you can do. There’s only so much time in the day. It’s important to rate your to-do list in order of priority.

What I do is focus on the most important tasks of the day. I used to think that everything was important. But I realized that all this did was keep me busy not productive. There’s a difference.

It’s about working smarter not harder. If you can start automating your tasks. If you have a flexible schedule do them little by little during your day. Do some in the morning and then at night. Remember that not everything needs to be done right then and there.

If you’re having trouble with productivity and planning then it’s time to get a planner. I absolutely love this one from Amazon. It comes with a weekly and monthly spread. Plus, it comes with monthly tab stickers.

11) Reward Their Good Behavior

Sometimes kids need a little positive reinforcement. Kids are more inclined to keep doing something if there’s a reward. Like basically what’s in it for them? You can reward them with a fun snack, a small toy, money for older kids, etc.

Or set up a sticker system. Every time they let you work you can give them a sticker. Then when they’ve collected enough, they get a reward.

12) Take Breaks

This is especially important if you’re on the computer a lot. You need breaks to prevent fatigue and damage to your vision. You can take snack breaks with your kids, lunch breaks, etc. You can simply just take a 15-minute break here and there. How you spend that break is up to you.

13) Create Activity Boxes

Activity boxes can be filled with anything you think they’ll like. They don’t have to be expensive either. There are so many ideas on Pinterest. You can do a theme such as board games or card games.

The only limit is your imagination. It can be fun stuff they can do in the backyard. Or it can be paint supplies if they love painting.

14) Work at Night or Early in the Morning

This is the tactic I use the most. I know a lot of bloggers that use this too. Sometimes it’s just not possible to work while your kids are away. Sometimes they just need your full-time attention. When this happens work while they’re asleep. Either at night or in the morning.

This is the best way for me to get things done. I either get up early before my nephews come or work when they leave. Sometimes it’s just easier this way. It can save you a lot of headaches.

15) Be Flexible

If your schedule allows it, be flexible. I’m fortunate enough to have a flexible schedule. It helps a lot. When you’re working from home with kids’ flexibility can be your best friend. So many things can come up.

They might’ve spilled something, or they’re fighting with their sibling. So many unexpected things happen. If you have a baby at home you might need to change their diaper. It’s best to just go with the flow. Don’t get upset when life gets in the way. Be as flexible as you can. It’ll save your sanity, trust me.

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Conclusion

It’s not easy working from home with kids, but it isn’t impossible either. Follow the above tips to make it that little bit easier during these difficult times. If I can do it, you can too. You just need to be creative, resourceful, and flexible.

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Until next time!