Run a small business from yours and not sure how to work from home with kids? We talked to Vistaprint employees from around the world to see how they’re navigating working at home while parenting full-time.
Here are six things they’ve said that have made their lives a bit easier while working from home with kids. And remember – we’re all in this together.
Try to maintain a schedule.
Easier said than done, we know. We’re not talking about a strict, minute by minute breakdown…just two to three-hour blocks of time with a rough outline of what everyone is doing. You don’t have to include things you do naturally, like eat or sleep.
Bhavani Lee, mom to an eight-year-old son located in our Sydney, Australia office says, “We’ve tried to implement a fluid schedule with a few dedicated activities to keep us motivated. For example, exercising in the morning, having breakfast/lunch together, going for a quick afternoon walk and having dedicated time for free play. We also set up alarms during the day that act like school bells – so our son has recess and lunch the same time as he would at school.”
Take shifts with your partner.
If you have a partner stuck at home with you, consider swapping times when you each work. For example, you get up early and work until everyone’s awake, then swap off with your partner until lunchtime. Then you swap off until lunch. Rinse and repeat until dinner – or until you feel like you’re in a good spot for the day.
Slim Guizani, dad of two and team lead in our Tunisia location, agrees with this tactic. “I’ve been waking up two hours before the kids get up. I enjoy the silence and get to focus on my most time-consuming work while my wife sleeps in. We then switch off watching the kids every hour during the day – and use our kids’ nap time to deliver quick tasks: checking on the team, answering emails and doing stand ups.”
Get up and go outside.
It’s amazing what a little fresh air will do. Stepping outside – even if it’s on your balcony – can help clear your head and get you energized for work.
David Reeson, dad of one, and a colleague in our Barcelona office has had to get creative given his city living set-up.
“My daughter is almost three, so she has lots of energy to burn. Spain has a strict stay-at-home order, so we’ve taken to playing games on our small balcony. Hopscotch, arts and crafts, theatre, etc. Today we did a music session. I introduced her to some jazz greats while we danced and played all the musical instruments we had in the house.”
So, get out there – if you can – and take that conference call while taking a socially-distanced stroll in your neighborhood or hanging on your porch.
Let the little things go.
Now’s not the time to worry about keeping your house spotless or your hair on point. It’s also not the time to worry about your coworkers seeing your kids playing ninja behind you on a video call, or your partner taking a conference call in the same room as you. Remember, we’re in this together, and we’re all experiencing similar challenges.
Matina Fell, mom to three in our Waltham, Massachusetts location, agrees. “I thought my kids were set up with their iPads during a video call I was on. Turns out, they had other ideas, and decided to run around behind me. It actually lightened the meeting mood, and we all had a laugh. Instead of being embarrassed, I tried to roll with the punches.”
Embrace a little screen time.
Experts say that children should get no more than one hour of screen time per day. But when you’re trying to take a conference call or finish a report, don’t be afraid to turn to a favorite movie or funny Youtube video. There are plenty of educational programs out there, too, so your kids can stay occupied while learning math or science.
Erin McGarry, a mom of two based out of our Massachusetts office, has turned to technology for keeping her sons in touch with their friends. “Since my boys are school-aged, they miss the friends they’re used to seeing every day. We’ve turned to Skype, Zoom and FaceTime so they can chat with their buddies and play games online together. It’s a sort of virtual play date, and it’s definitely helped them stay connected.”
Get creative
Becky O’Haire of online gemstore Cuddle Fairy recommends carving some time in the day to set your children up with something that will ignite their creativity and imagination. And once they get used to this, they will be able to spend more time entertaining themselves without screens. The follow ideas might take about ten minutes of your time to set up with the children and get them into the imaginative mindset and then they can take it from there!
Some ideas include
- Arts and crafts sets
- Building a fort for them to play in
- Cardboard crafts
- Vet with stuffed animals
- Deep sea explorers where the couch is the boat
There is no limit to what you and your children can come up with. By igniting their creativity you are helping them to expand their thinking not just for now but for when they are adults as well.
