Getting work done when you just can't distract the kids
When you work at home, one of the biggest challenges can be
keeping the kids busy. There will be the days when the usual
tactics won't distract them, but you just have to get some work
done. It might just be time to do something the kids won't
expect.
Some work at home jobs and businesses may not require you to
actually be at home. Can you bring a laptop or briefcase and
work at the playground, library or fast food restaurant? You'll
still have to keep a sharp eye on the kids, but they'll have a
chance to release that pent-up energy.
What about things you can do with your kids at home while
working? Older children may be able to help you with parts of
your work, knowing that this will free you up to play with them
sooner.
Other times you may have to take advantage of any flexibility in
office hours your work at home job or business will allow you.
Go play! Dance with them, play a board game, paint... just find
something fun to do with them for a while. Don't make a habit of
this, or your generally cooperative kids may suddenly expect you
to drop everything to play with them, but there are times when
you make exceptions to your office hours.
Not all work at home parents can do this, of course. Some jobs
do require set hours. In that case, have someone you can call on
to help. This doesn't have to be another adult. Even having an
older child from the neighborhood come over to play can be
enough to let you get work done.
If you are regularly having problems with the kids needing your
attention while you are trying to work, it may be time to
reassess your office hours. Children's needs do change as they
get older, so the schedule that worked perfectly for your
toddler may not work now.
Remind yourself as often as necessary why you decided to work at
home in the first place. It's easy to get your priorities mixed
up when you have a schedule to keep, deadlines to meet, etc.,
but your children need you too. Keep them high in your
priorities and let them know how much they mean to you.