Work From Home | Chindeepinlife

The coronavirus outbreak meant that millions of parents across the globe are now facing the impossible task of being a parent, worker, and teacher. Getting through your day is difficult enough when you’re trying to work from home with children. However, when you also have to home school, it can be very challenging. If you’re trying to find the right balance in these unprecedented times, there are some tips you can follow. Here, we’ll look at some of the steps, you can take to accomplish your new role without losing your mind.

Create and work from a schedule
Creating and maintaining a schedule during this time is invaluable. Children need a schedule. You also need one to help you keep up with your increased duties. Start with making one for the kids. You can include educational activities, playtime, and mealtimes. When they know what they are working on, and have a schedule, it makes it so much easier for all involved. Kids need a routine and they’ll be a lot happier when they’re following one.

Make time for physical and physical 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 and 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 be getting on with their crafts while you complete your important work tasks. For a comprehensive list of indoor activities, grab your copy of the Ultimate Guide to Indoor Fun. It can be tough trying to work when the kids have bundles of energy. So, why not help them burn off that energy so you can work in peace? Getting them to partake in physical activity helps to wear them out as well as keep them healthy. So, encourage time running around in the back yard. You could create a mini assault course or look online for physical games you could play. Once they’ve finished their physical activity, they will more likely want to play quietly for a period of time.

Don’t try to become a teacher
Now that the kids are off school, you may feel like you have to become a teacher. You really don’t. Some parents chose to intensely research and familiarize themselves with the topics covered at school, and in the process become overwhelmed and frustrated. Instead, focus on educational activities they can do such as reading. You can also set up things such as sensory buckets and let them use educational apps. If the school provided digital work they can follow, don’t forget to utilize that too. If you look online, you might also find free workbooks.

Talk through any issues with your employer
If you are having issues juggling everything, don’t be afraid to talk to your employer. They may give you additional days off, so you can get used to the new arrangement. Remember, there are a lot of people going through the same situation right now. It’s not easy but remind yourself that it is only temporary.

Take advantage of nap times
If your kids are still quite young, make sure you take advantage of nap times. These are the perfect opportunity for you to get a bulk of your work done without having to worry about keeping an eye on them.

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, space where you won’t be disturbed. 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.

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. 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.

Until the next post,
Best,
Juan

I had every intention of posting much earlier than today. As a person of color living in NYC, as you can imagine, recent events surrounding the death of George Flloyd in MN, USA, have captivated our attention. I needed time to step back, reflect, and decide what is next. I know you are bombarded from news all over the world already, but let me just say this, if you have supported the cause and movement in any way, THANK YOU. Now onto my WFH series!

One thing you have to master when you work from home is minimizing distractions. Household chores, TV, social media, and kids are some of the big ones. So, how exactly should you deal with these distractions to ensure you can work more efficiently? Below, you’ll discover some great tips. I hope you find them useful.

Turn distractions into rewards.
Distractions don’t have to be a bad thing. They can be used to reward yourself after completing work tasks. For example, if you love nothing more than to curl up in front of the TV watching your favorite shows, allow yourself the opportunity to watch something after completing a big project. Similarly, you could use social media in the same way. Once you’ve completed a task off your to-do list, reward yourself with a short period of time on your social media channels. Using distractions as a reward can help to keep you stay focused, and boost your motivation to get your work done.

Consider working in various parts of the home
It’s common to set aside just one place to work from. However, did you know you may find it more productive to work in various areas of the home? It’s all about adding variety into your new working environment. Some days, the spare room may be the best place to get work done. Other times, you may find it more beneficial to work on the dining room table, or in the back yard. Don’t limit yourself to where you can work, mix it up, and watch your productivity levels increase.

Add a little background music
This tip might not be useful to everyone, but many professionals claim working with background music, can limit their distractions. You’ll want to focus on calming music, rather than something that makes you want to sing along. Alternatively, listening to podcasts and audiobooks in the background can also work well. So, if you struggle with productivity, try adding a little background noise and see if it makes a difference.

Check emails sparingly
Checking emails is important when you work from home. However, it can also take up a lot of time. Try to limit how many times you check them during the day. Ideally, first thing in the morning, then after you’ve completed each task you’re working on. Some adjustment is required, depending on the type of work project.

Turn off notifications
Finally, a great tip is to turn off those notifications. Social media, news, and app notifications can prove really distracting when you’re working from home. It’s not always easy limiting distractions when you work from home, but it can be done, and with practice, it will become a norm for you.

Until the next post,
Best,
Juan