One of the primary reasons why parents ditch the traditional office for a work from home set up is because the latter allows them to achieve the best of both worlds – the ability to spend more time with their kids while still generating income for the family. It’s like the ideal solution for every parent’s dilemma. Imagine being able to skip the commute, save on childcare expenses, work flexible hours, and so on and so forth.

But while working from home can seem like the dream to parents who are struggling on a daily basis, this arrangement also has its drawbacks. Separating personal responsibilities from work can be more difficult because there are more distractions. It also becomes harder to stay focused, especially when your toddler is around. 

So how do you stay productive when working from home with a toddler? Read on for some helpful tips you might find handy!

Talk to your partner

If there’s one person who can help make your work from home journey bearable, it’s your spouse or partner. Take time to talk to your partner about how you both are going to handle this new set up. Communicate your needs and set proper expectations. Will you be working on a fixed schedule? Or does your job allow you to work flexible hours? 

Discuss these things with your partner. Let them know what help you need and when you need them to help out, especially when it comes to taking care of your toddler. Agree on schedules and arrange how and when both of you will be available for taking the kids out for a while and other important house chores.

Start your day early

If you have kids and you want to be productive, especially during the workweek, the rule of thumb is to start your day early. Starting the day early allows you to accomplish as many things as you can while your toddler is still fast asleep. 

Make it a habit to get up an hour or two earlier than your child does. This will allow you time to prepare breakfast, enjoy a hot cup of coffee and organize yourself so you can be ready for the rest of your workday. 

Make the most of nap time

Naptime is an essential part of every toddler’s daily routine as it plays an important role in their health and development. And because you’re now working from home, enforcing a nap time each day is even more crucial. 

While your toddler takes a nap, you have to yourself about 2 to 3 hours of uninterrupted time to work. During these hours, you can focus on completing projects and tasks that require your full attention. Take advantage of these hours to get important work done. Also, be sure to fight the urge to spend these hours for other stuff like cleaning the house or putting things in order. These things can wait until later when your workday is finally over.

Create your own workspace

Another excellent way to stay productive when working from home with a toddler is having your own dedicated workspace. Having your own workstation or desk can help you manage interruptions so you focus on your work.

Find a quiet spot around the house which you can convert into a workstation or home office. It can be as simple as a desk or table with a comfy chair where you can work peacefully throughout the day. Also consider setting up a separate desk for your toddler. Give them their own space while they get busy with their toys and activities. 

Encourage your toddler to play independently

Not only is independent play helpful to your toddler’s growth and development but it’s also an excellent way to keep your child busy while you get important things done. 

Create a “boredom box” for your little one. This box can contain a variety of activities and toys enough to keep them occupied when they’re bored or can’t find something to keep them entertained. 

To many people, doing work remotely is like living the dream but it’s not always the ideal situation when you work from home with a toddler. Use these tips to help you navigate your work from home journey smoothly and stress-free. 

For more helpful parenting resources or if you’re looking for the best childcare center for your toddler, please feel free to visit Young Scholars Academy.

It’s OK to tell your kids you’re scared.

Whether you’re internally or externally scared there’s probably not a person right now who isn’t scared. Talk to them.

Tell them how you’re feeling. Think back to your own childhood. Looking back to you remember a lot of Ramen noodle nights? Bills were probably right and let’s face it, Ramen is still one of the cheapest meals out there.

Would you have been more empathetic as a child if you knew? Maybe you wouldn’t have pestered about a Nintendo if you knew it financially wasn’t an option.

Talk to them about what a disease means. Explain how it spreads and if it applies to you, talk about what it means to not have job…

Kids are much more understanding than we give them credit for. Who knows your kid might come and give you that random hug you really needed. Maybe they’ll finally clean their room without a fight. (That might be wishful thinking but it might not.)

A lot of us have become accustomed to not sharing how we feel with our kids. We’re parents right? We’re supposed to have all the answers. Since this generation has never encountered something like this, how are you supposed to have all the answers? If you know someone who does, maybe directing every American their way could be beneficial for all.

Here’s an idea, cry in front of them.

Explain why you’re crying. Showing that we have emotions just like they do makes you that much more relate-able and HUMAN to our kids. 90% of brain development occurs before age five. We’re setting precedence about how kids are “supposed” to feel and react to hard times. When this is all over what do you want your kids to take away?

You’re doing the best you can and your kids don’t always have to be happy. Kids need a present parent, not a perfect one.

Praying for everyone families as this impacts each and every household in America.

Parent-child relationship is often the strongest and most enduring bond we have. Yet it can also be the most complicated at the same time. 

Our children are the most precious things in our lives. It’s normal to want to be as close to them as possible.

Maintaining a great dynamic with your child may take some sustained effort. When our children start to consider us as a friend, rather than strictly an authority figure, it’s all worth it. 

Our children want someone to be there for them. Someone they can rely on and talk to in moments when they need to be heard. It’s a common lament for parents of teens that their kids don’t feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.

As parents, not only are we there to guide our kids as they are growing up but to also raise them as confident and well-rounded individuals. Most of that development begins in the household. Strengthening your parent-child relationship is key to developing that dynamic.

Here are a few helpful tips to get you started.

Be open in expressing your love for your kids

Telling your children how you love them makes them feel valued, boosts their self-esteem, and helps them feel confident to express their emotions. 

Dr. Natasha Sharma, inventor of the Kindness Journal puts it this way, “expressing love is a monkey-see, monkey-do situation.”

This helps the children develop relationship skills and makes them learn how to identify different ways of expressing their feelings. One of those includes expressing their love. If you, as a parent, can be vocal about it, it likely will not be hard for your children to express their love.

Make Them a Priority in Your Life

Another way to strengthen your parent-child relationship is to consider your kids a priority in your life. You may be busy earning money for a living to provide for their basic needs right now, but children won’t appreciate the material possessions you give as much as the quality time they get from you. 

Time flies and kids grow up quickly. Before you know it, they’re off preparing for their college applications and moving out of the house. So make the most of your precious times together. Seize the little opportunities to bond and make your children feel appreciated. Keep them close and let them know that they matter to you as much as possible. Let them know that you are paying attention and you’ll always be there for them when they need you. 

Spare some time for fun

What kids crave is your undivided attention.

Kids love to have fun, so show them your fun side and get down to their level by getting on the floor with them and really immersing yourself in their world.

Just have fun and sing songs, play board games, tell stories, and allow yourself to be silly.

Your child will love the attention and for sure will cherish these moments with you forever. 

Allow your children to help you out

Whether you’re preparing meals, doing the dishes, or unloading groceries, getting your children involved is a surefire way to grab their attention and make them feel good about themselves.

Children are naturally curious and they want to get close to their parents, just as much as we parents wanted to get involved in their lives. Letting them assist you with simple tasks will not only make things easier, but also allow you to spend more quality time together.

Take baking for example. Letting them help out in little ways such as mixing the ingredients, cutting out cookies, and decorating them can go far and makes for an opportunity to strengthen your parent-child relationship. 

The Value of Family Mealtimes

We can’t stress enough how family mealtimes are essential for strengthening parent-child relationships.

Mealtimes are an opportunity to really come together with family. It’s a time to huddle, share thoughts, and talk about each other’s day.

So take the time to unplug and reconnect. Unplug from technology, put away your phones and turn off the TV. Reconnect with your family and teach your kids to speak their minds freely.

Looking to take the next step for your child? If you’re preparing for your child’s early education in the Colorado Springs area, Young Scholar’s Academy’s preschool programs create an engaging learning environment with fun activities that create lasting memories for your child to grow, learn and succeed in life! Call us at (719) 419-8418 to schedule a tour today!