Working and young babies or kids can coexist under one roof! But to make it work, you will need a game plan, which is why we will be working below on how babies and toddlers work at home.
We live in uncertain times now, and as more people suddenly find themselves working from home, many find that working from home with their children, especially toddlers and babies, can become another job.
You do not recommend working with your kids at home unless you have family help. However, these are not “general time”, so all these suggestions are temporarily out of the window. This means you need a way to get the job done for the foreseeable future for the baby or toddler at home (or both!).
Fortunately, it seems like no one works from home with the kids. If you live in certain climates, snowy days are a reality, and so are natural disasters, which means working, and children can coexist under one roof! However, to make the job schedule, you have to work together to develop a game plan and you have to maintain flexibility.
(a) How to work with babies/children (child of any age)
Before we provide you with specifics about working from home with babies and toddlers, know that there are some general tips and tricks when you have to work from home with kids of any age.
1) Split
If you have a partner who also works from home, try to separate the workday and childcare. Separate your day so that you each have the same job and children.
For example, one of you can do a solid, uninterrupted four-hour block in the morning while the other person watches the kids during that time. In the afternoon, switch roles. While it’s not a whole day of work, some jobs are better than not. Combined with other creative solutions, you may find yourself able to do a full eight hours, just once!
2) Use sleep
While you may not want to do anything when your child falls asleep (even sleeps on his own), consider using nap time, bedtime, or even a few hours in the morning to go to work. This may not be your first choice (or second or third), but when your child falls asleep, working almost guarantees you can work in peace and tranquility.
3) Embrace screen time
Limit screen time as much as possible, consider limiting screen time to the window immediately. Sometimes, nothing gets kids occupied like a movie marathon and gives you some quiet time to work on an uninterrupted sprint.
Screen time doesn’t have to mean stupid comics and funny movies. Kids have a lot of educational options for kids to revel in (we have a lot of suggestions below!).
4) Talk about it
Let people on the other side know about your situation before starting any work conversations with their colleagues.
Letting people know your situation is a key step in maintaining a professional relationship. If nothing else, the warning indicates that you are trying to keep any potential problems. And your colleagues may be sitting on the same boat as you, so they may also have their own parenting requirements.
5) Interruption plan
Like it or not, working with your kids means you will be interrupted. While you need to set boundaries, babies and toddlers may not always understand that you are on the phone and cannot deal with them.
Strip and learn that this is part of the show. You may have a break anyway, so why not hug it and join your little one for a 10-minute dance?
6) Bribery is acceptable
Sometimes, interrupts are unacceptable. We have more details below, but, in short, praise and reward good behavior when your child performs and follows the rules when it needs it most. Fortunately, you will see more behavior when working at work.
When the reward doesn’t work, but you’re desperate because now you need a meeting and there’s nothing wrong with a little bribery. When you’re dealing with a difficult client, having your kids play video games for two hours may be a trade-off you have to make now.
7) Leave the inner gui
Finally, most of us are on the same boat. Your kids do nothing but binge eating, and there is no such educational program so you can do some work? very good. These are strange times where there is nothing we can do except embrace and move on.
Also read: Top 10 Complete Children’s Hub Art
(b) How to work with babies at home
Combining parenting and work has always been a delicate balancing act. Working from home with babies is a more difficult balancing behavior. Under normal circumstances, you will have a babysitter (or grandparents) who can come over to help. Or, you’ll put your kids in daycare.
However, this is a new normal and you may find that you have no choice but to hold the baby in one hand.
However, having hands doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. Here are some tips to help you work balanced with your baby at home.
1) The fence is your friend
If your baby is old enough, don’t feel bad about putting them in a fence with a few toys. You can place the game fence close to where you work and focus on what is happening (or ears). With this setup, you can remove some things from your to-do list, and your baby can entertain himself in a safe place.
Plus, you can use the activity pad for babies who have not moved yet but need something interesting. Secure some toys to the arch or mat to let your baby bats fall to them.
2) Carry them
When you hold, the smallest (sometimes the most picky) is the happiest. Continuously. In this case, tie to the baby strap or carrier and roll. This will free your hands and be free of the baby’s worries (or at least not that picky).
While this isn’t the most ergonomic setup, baby carriers can let you type while holding your baby. Just keep the baby in person so you don’t get the extra “help” in the documentation. You can then walk around while making a phone call to calm a picky baby down, and even typing out a few emails on your phone. Again, this is not usually recommended, but this is different.
3) Silence!
Although you might want a mute button for a child who has not yet been invented. However, when you are talking to a colleague or a client, make sure to use the mute button when making a call.
Babies have less time than they would ideally and you never know when they will decide to add a conversation. Although cute to you, others on the call may not be able to share your opinion. Also, if the baby is doing all the conversation, you can remove the other person on the phone from the meeting.
Also Read: SID The Science Kid Series: Why Kids Like to Watch on PBS
(c) How to work from home with young children
For working parents, the terrible two-pointer and three-pointer are more challenging than infancy years. You can place your baby in the fence if you want. However, your child can climb out of the fence and wreak out quickly.
Possible to work from home. However, you need more creativity, patience, and flexibility.
1) It means it’s not a snowy day
Your child may know you have a job. They may even understand that you work from home. That doesn’t mean they understand what’s going on right now.
While you may not want to explain all the reasons why you are working from home now, or why your kids can’t go to school now, you should take some time to explain how the work works.
Let your kids know that you have to get the job done, it’s not just about taking care of them. You have to do things for your boss right away, you need to do the work. Explain that having you alone at work can help you get your job done faster. And, the faster you get the job done, the sooner you can play with them.
2) Establish boundaries
Explain to your kids that when the door is closed, they won’t come in if they can’t knock first. If you don’t have an office with doors, then you may need to be creative about those moments when you need privacy. In tight-to-reach closets, there are doors and even bathrooms that work!
Additionally, you should create a stop sign (or have your child create it) to put it on the door at the moment when it can’t be interrupted. period.
Let your kids know that when the sign starts you are busy and unable to help them. Once done, you will check them right away, but at the same time, they have to wait. Compliment them when they don’t bother you. and explain to them what the sign (again!) means.
3) Set a timetable
Children thrive in routine and structure, which is difficult to provide when you try to work. But if you spend some time planning your next day schedule the night before, that will make things easier.
If possible, try sticking to the current routine. For example, if your child has already woken up at 7:00 a.m., have breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and watch TV until 8:00 a.m., stick with it.
Then, create time blocks to get them engaged in activities while working. Don’t worry. Below we have a lot of interesting and educational advice! But don’t plan for a long time. Divide your day into smaller sections. Maybe you work for 30 minutes while your child is doing a puzzle and then take a 15-minute break.
These shorter blocks work better within the shorter attention range of toddlers. And, they let you check in with your kids frequently to stay in touch and interact with them (and make sure they haven’t made the bathroom boring yet).
4) Virtual access
Grandparents and relatives can be valuable resources when we need it.
Ask grandma and grandpa if they can arrange video calls with the children. Let them read each other’s stories, draw pictures or other activities that both parties can agree to.
5) Boring nemesis
Inevitably, you will hear “I’m bored” and “I don’t want to do this.” When this happens, you will need boring assholes.
Usually, we recommend that you prepare boxes and activity jars filled with interesting things. The problem is that a lot of them require you to run out and buy supplies that you may not be able to do these days.
So look for something you can use around the house to distract your baby…. Smile
Also read: 10 minutes full list
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