Working from home is great for parents. It allows for greater flexibility in your schedule, enabling you to care for your kids’ needs while pursuing your career goals.
However, as great as working from home can be, finding the perfect balance between work and home life is a daily challenge for many parents. The demands of parenting often seem at odds with professional responsibilities, leaving you feeling stretched thin.
That said, achieving harmony is possible. It’s simply a matter of implementing practical strategies that can reduce your stress and help you achieve your professional goals. Implementing the right structure can help you avoid burnout and experience better well-being, job satisfaction, and increased happiness.
With a little planning and the right support systems, you can make working from home a manageable, even rewarding, experience.
Creating an Efficient Workspace
It may be convenient and comfortable to work in your pajamas from bed. However, working from your bed can disrupt your sleep schedule and create unhealthy associations between your work and bedroom. Opt for a well-designed workspace instead.
A designated workspace is a cornerstone of productivity for work-from-home parents. As soon as you step into the space, it signals to your brain, and your family, that this is “work mode” time.
To create a workspace that inspires you to be more productive and creative, choose a location that is quiet and far from high-traffic areas. This needn’t be an entire room, either — even a small desk in the corner of a room can become a productivity hub.
After that, pick out essential home office furniture, like a spacious desk, ergonomic chair, and storage solutions.
From there, consider different lighting options. Poor lighting can lead to eye strain and fatigue, hurting your work performance and lowering your mood. So, be sure you’re choosing the best lighting for productivity. For example, natural light can improve your mood and productivity. Task lighting — like desk lamps and spotlights — can also reduce eye strain and help you focus by illuminating your workspace.
Once you have covered the logistics of your home office, personalize it. Add a plant, hang motivational artwork, or use a comfortable chair to make your workspace inviting and stress-reducing.
Time Management Strategies
Time management is perhaps the most significant hurdle for work-from-home parents. Juggling meetings, deadlines, work tasks, school drop-offs, and other family duties can feel overwhelming. Implementing time management strategies can help you find free time and improve your day-to-day productivity.
First, synchronize your work schedule with your family’s routine. Plan your work hours around your kids’ naps, school schedules, or playtimes. It’s also a good idea to block off time for your most demanding tasks to ensure you get the quiet you need to execute them.
Set boundaries with your family by establishing clear expectations with your children and partner about when you’re unavailable. Keep your door closed when working and consider hanging a “Do Not Disturb” sign to help young kids resist the temptation to interrupt your workflow.
Also, if you want to work from home successfully, you should know that distractions will be everywhere. You have your TV, unlimited internet access, your phone, books, and chores calling your name — not to mention the cutest kids popping their heads in to check on you.
Some interruptions are inevitable, but small distractions shouldn’t derail your entire day. Instead, create a “distraction toolkit” to engage kids with activities and use screen time management apps to minimize the amount of time you spend scrolling social media.
Making Mealtime Easier
Meal preparation can take up a surprising amount of time and energy during the workday. Not only do you have to make breakfast and lunch for yourself, but you also have to do the same for young kids who are home with you, plus worry about dinner later on.
Streamline this process with quick and healthy recipes that cater to both you and your kids. Take advantage of the fact that you have access to a full kitchen and make quick lunch recipes you actually want to eat, like:
- Avocado toast
- Chicken pitas with tahini sauce
- Tortellini-cannelloni salad
- Lunch nachos with quick curtido
You can easily make these lunches and your dinners by planning ahead and meal prepping the evening before.
When making lunch from home, embrace simplicity. Keep ingredients on hand for easy dishes like sandwiches, wraps, or salads, and try batch cooking. Cook larger portions of family favorites and store leftovers for future meals.
Building a Support Network
Parenting is a herculean task that no one can complete alone. Rather than trying to do it all yourself, aim to build a reliable support network that helps you thrive as a work-from-home parent. There’s no shame in asking for help from your partner or hiring caregivers.
Share parenting responsibilities with your partner by dividing tasks based on your strengths. When you’re both overwhelmed, ask for relatives or trusted neighbors to step in for childcare or errands when needed.
Try to connect with other work-from-home parents when working remotely. This can help you seek advice and build a sense of camaraderie when working from home. You can also join online forums or arrange meetups with other work-from-home parents. As they share tips and experiences, you’ll be reminded that you’re not alone.
Conclusion
Working from home as a parent is a delicate balancing act that requires flexibility and creativity. Creating a structured workspace, managing your time effectively, simplifying meals, and leaning on a support network is key. Make sure to find time for self-care, too, and aim to build a support network that can help you reclaim some free time for yourself.
