Photo of smiling pregnant asian woman talking on cellphone and using laptop while sitting on couch at home
Is working from home with your kids a daily struggle?
Working at home can have it’s challenges. But, I find a good set of goals can help you succeed through your work at home year. Especially if you are a parent!
You don’t have to make these goals at the beginning of the year either! That’s what I love most about goals. You can start your goals at any time, making them short term goals or long term goals.
I’ve juggled working at home and homeschooling for 5 years. I manage my business from home with 3 kids, while still making time to teach and somehow keeping my sanity.
Here are some goals I am setting this year to be more successful in my work at home business with the kids!
Working at home with kids isn’t easy. It’s definitely a juggling act that takes a lot of patience and flexibility.
Be prepared:
Start your morning off right with bike ride or short walk around the neighborhood and take the kids. It’s easy to get out of the habit of getting outside when you are working at home.
Having even a short period of outdoor activity everyday can really help you feel more productive and as an added bonus your kids will love the quality time they get with you.
If you are a homeschooling mom too, this is a great time to get the kids a little physical activity, which is part of our homeschooling routine.
Breakfast is important, so set a goal to get a good filling breakfast in each morning. Having a good breakfast will help you get through the day and be more energized in the morning to complete important work goals.
I stock up on Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles for those rushed mornings when I need something quick and easy to make.
My kids prefer cereal. So, I can keep these tasty breakfast treats all to myself!
My toddler doesn’t get it, but it does help for my older kids to understand that I have a job and that I am working when I am at my computer.
They are actually really understanding of this, as long as they get quality time, which I’ll discuss more later. My older kids will even help entertain my toddler when I am working which is super helpful.
Waking up early allows you to get a head start on your day, even better if the kids aren’t awake yet. There will be more time for me-time or completing those unexpected jobs that might come up.
If the kids really need me sometimes I will stay up after they are in bed to complete deadlines and get work done.
This is the ONLY 100% guaranteed uninterrupted time you will get with kids. So, make these hours count for the important things you have a hard time getting done with the kids awake. These times are SO peaceful and needed.
Set a timer during focused times each day. Shut off social media and any distractions for 20-30 minutes at a time to power through a task that needs to be completed!
Give your kids an activity to do for this time period too. So they will be distracted too.
There is no harm in putting on a good movie or show for an hour. But, if you want to avoid screen time or make it educational here are some resources:
In order for your kids to be okay with you working at home they need to have their needs met from you.
Make sure you are spending enough quality time with your kids for them to feel fulfilled while you are working.
This is the most important rule as a work at home mom. BE FLEXIBLE.
Your kids come before your business. So, work hard when you get a chance so when they need you, you can take a break.
Plan on your kids getting sick, having melt downs or off days. If you have little ones plan on them needing you for practically everything.
I have a routine with my kids. We usually home-school in the mornings and I work in the early mornings, late at night, and if there is a quiet hour in the day.
Do you have any goals you are working on for this working at home with your kids this year? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
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these are so perfect and attainable! I am new to working at home and you couldn't be more right about forgetting to go outside... I used to walk 2-3 miles a day at my office job... out of boredom lol! What do you use as your timer? Your phone or do you have an app for that?
Hi Ashley! It really is refreshing to take a break to walk. I don't always set a timer, but when I do I just use my phone timer. It makes you stay out longer that way!