Are you a work-at-home mom? If yes, you may be wondering how you can keep your youngsters occupied. This is a crucial step in order to stay organized at work. How to work from home with a baby – 9 Tips that work – Let’s hop into these now!
It is achievable to work remotely while caring for your kids. Yet, you might find it useful to make a strict schedule and plan in-house activities. That way, you have all the things you’ll need ready. Watching for a kid under 36 months also signifies you’ll likely get the majority of your work done in quick bursts. Be that as it may, you’ll need to set priorities and find a perfect work balance.
In order to work from home with a baby, be mindful of a few points. First and foremost, your productivity is key. Think to plan your tasks in advance and work when your kid is sleeping. Dress for work, remove distractions and make use of the weekends.
Table of Contents
The vital productivity tips that work
Here are some valuable tips on how to work from home with a baby. Or, a child under 3 years of age. Let’s hop into them:
- Working while your kid is asleep. If possible, try working while your kid is asleep. Take benefit of your kids’ naps to tackle the most urgent tasks. What if your youngsters have a quite predictable bedtime routine? In that case, you may want to take vital calls or concentrate on a task when they are likely napping. Working before they wake up or after they go to sleep is one great idea. Particularly if your job permits this type of flexibility.
- Sharing the load. Is there a special someone in your life that can help you? Is it your partner, your mom, or a friend even? You may want to take shifts and communicate about your work. By taking “shifts,” you can work without obstructions. On top of that, your kid will be safe and sound.
- Planning out your day and week. Organize when you will wake up and what you will do every day. You need a plan and a list of tasks. This will, by all means, help you focus on the most vital items in the face of distractions.
- Working while you breastfeed or pump milk. If you pump breast milk, you might want to employ a hands-free breast pump. That way, you can persist with working with ease. If you’re breastfeeding your baby, you may be able to examine reports as you usually do.
- Dress for work. It is advisable to dress professionally while working from home. That can boost your productivity as you have a real sense of the working setting. After that, switch into more everyday attire in the evening. This may help you get into the mood for both work and relaxation. On the flip side, you might want to take benefit of the chance to work in the ease of your leggings and a shirt.
- Working while your kids play. You may want to get quick bursts of work done while your kids are busy. What type of work should you perform while your youngsters are awake? If likely, it should be the one that can allow the interruptions. Why? This is because your kids will probably be trying to fetch your attention.
- Take benefit of the weekends. For instance, you may want to cook on weekends. That way, you have lunches and meals prepared for the week onwards. Also, a good option for the weekend is to explore some indoor activities for your baby or toddler.
- Remove other distractions. You already have enough responsibilities with your baby. It is advisable to remove other time-wasting activities, like social media. Use the apps that block your access to social media when working. It may also help to prepare half an hour every day for tasks. That way you’re not frequently desiring to get up and postpone things.
- Think realistically. You may require more flexibility in how you work. Also, you may want more creativity in using the hours you have on your hands. Don’t be hard on yourself if you cannot do it all. Stop seeking perfection, it does not exist! A more fitting goal for a working parent is to gain motivation and productivity. You can do that by testing some of the leads in this article.
Don’t forget to take time for yourself. It’s natural to get house madness if you’re working from home for a long time. Especially if you have a kid to care for. If possible, during their day rest or once your kids are asleep, take time to do something for yourself. Be it watching a series, having a bath, or exercising.
Working from home with a baby
Your baby will probably be napping in three to four-hour periods. So, you may want to get solid blocks of time to work while the baby sleeps. Bear in mind that you’ll also be waking up for feedings. Thus, be ready to feel a little muzzy during the day.
While working, you may want to “wear” your baby in a carrier. Thus, your baby can appreciate feeling close to you. On the other hand, you can perform your tasks with ease. This goes without saying!
Now, a bassinet can be practical for a work-at-home parent. Why is that? It can smoothly go to be right by your desk. That lets you stay close to your baby as you work.
If the width of your doorways lets it, you can move your baby’s crib from one room to another. Be mindful of one thing, though! Your baby should sleep exclusively in her crib or bassinet. This is for her own safety.
Working from home with an older baby
Your baby will like to be around you. So, place a few toys on a play rug that is right by your side. This way you might be able to finish some work while your baby plays next to you. This way, you may have some peace to work as your baby occupies herself.
Your baby probably has two snoozes each day. When could it be? Precisely, one is in the mid-morning and one mid-afternoon. This is the unwritten rule! Therefore take advantage of these options to get the work done.
Tip: You can make a quick buck on the side by answering surveys. This is a great way to earn extra money from home.
How to work and take care of your baby?
Working remotely with a baby has its pros and cons. The pros are that your baby may be able to occupy herself for short spans. Also, she may still take one or two rests a day, so you can work at that time. What’s the challenge? When your baby is awake, she may want plenty of your attention.
It’s fine to have expectations. You may think your older baby can occupy herself for brief intervals. Likewise, you might need to be strict in telling her she has toys to play with. Don’t forget to explain that she should play quietly. Would you like to help support her solo play? If so, make a safe area for your baby to play in. Just make sure you work in a separate room.
Another alternative is to get your older baby to set her own “workplace” at the other end of the desk. She could be engaged in a drawing while you’re busy replying to emails, for instance. Tell her that she’s a big youngster now. Say you’ll both be working for some time before you can take a break jointly.
Dealing with bad behavior
Are you locked up with a baby? Or do you have more than one kid in the house? If yes, you may undergo issues that make working from home challenging. Be it temper blowups or sibling fights. Here are some forms to help restrain and possibly even stop the unwanted demeanor:
- Detect suitable behavior. When your kid does something you’d like her to do, reward her. This tactic can boost your kid’s self-esteem and keep the surroundings relaxed and cheerful.
- Evade telling “no” where practicable. You don’t have to give in to each request. Yet, you can attempt to deflect specific requests, shift behavior, or deliver an alternative. Now, if they’re doing something dangerous, you should say “No, that’s unsafe” and refocus their awareness elsewhere.
- Deliver a countdown. If something fun is about to end, do not say “TV off.” Rather tell your kid she has ten minutes left. Then tell her again when there are five minutes left. Give tons of recognition when she does stop on time. Setting timers perform well for this method. This is because kids usually get excited for the timer to go off. That helps deflect their awareness away from the ending activity.