Many parents choose to work at home so that they can be there for their children. Many parents have little ones who are not yet in school. Working at home gives parents the ability to be home with their children, whereas if the parent works outside of the home the children go to daycare. Being home to get kids ready for school and on the bus in the morning is one more reason. Being there to get them off the bus in the afternoon is yet another. The list of reasons why so many parents choose to work at home truly is endless.
When a parent works at home the home is the workplace. When the home and workplace are one and the same the things we are responsible for doing at each get put together. Not only do we have to work at our workplace but we also have to clean and maintain it. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, and cooking are not things we have to do at a workplace outside of the home.
When the reason we work at home is to be home with the kids it means that we have our children with us at our workplace. So, what that all boils down to is that each day we working, home responsibilities, and parenting to juggle. It can be tricky to find that perfect balance. Here are five tips that will help you.
1. The first tip that will help you to balance working and parenting is to allow as much time to your days as possible. Generally this means getting up nice and early. The more hours you have added to each day the more you will be able to get done. You’ll have time to parent, clean the house and to work too. Time is off the essence when it comes to working at home. Caring for children and a house take a lot of time on their own. Adding work to the scenario means you need as much time in your days as possible.
2. The second tip is to organize your time. Set a routine. Stick to the same routine each day to maximize your productivity for each day. You can get it all done each day. When you schedule your days you can fit everything in. You can allow separate times for playing with the children, cleaning, and working. Base your schedule on your child’s needs. Always work around the kids because they come first.
3. The third tip that will help you to achieve balance between working and parenting is to not try to do everything all at once. When you’re running around like a chicken with your head cut off trying to work, clean and parent you are not going to be giving your all to any of them. Use tip two to separate your activities. This will cut much of the chaos from your life too.
4. The fourth tip that will help you to balance working and parenting is to make your office kid friendly. I have my computer set up in the living room. Why? So that I can be watching and interacting with my children as I work. When the kids are happily playing or what have you I have the chance to work. I can still supervise the children, making sure they are safe and otherwise alright. When the kids don’t need your direct parenting attention you have the right of way to work. However, kids can not be left unattended. Working at home often means sharing an office with underage coworkers. If you can’t have your workspace in a main room of the home then try setting up a little table in your office for your little one. Add plenty of books and art supplies.
5. The fifth and final tip that will help you to balance working at home and parenting is to remember the reasons why you chose to work at home. Taking care of the children is the most important thing. Work comes second to your children’s needs but is still very important. Cleaning becomes neutral and even enjoyable. It can be balanced. These tips will help. Thanks for reading and take care!
