WFH with kids: Tips for effective family time management

Having a family is like having a business. These days it’s 24/7. Try these tips from our colleagues to run this enterprise smoothly.

Working from home is not for everyone. And now imagine, although actually you might not need to as it’s your reality– you’ve not only got your work duties but also parental duties to handle at the same time.

As a society, we’re no longer used to the model, where generations live and work together all the time.

Our time is structured, and we not only give instructions, but we are often subject to instructions. Whether it’s by signage on the road, assignments from our boss, or exercise from our trainer.

Having different roles doesn’t stop you being a parent for that time, it just runs in the back of your brain and waits for the switch to active mode. But these days it’s never in limbo. It’s on ALL the time. But maybe it doesn’t necessarily need to be. Balance your personal wellbeing with work and family. Choose from these tips from our colleagues to see if they could make your new working routine easier:

1. Set up the daily routine for your children to keep their days structured as if they were attending school. Plan their tasks for the day and create fixed times when you can help them if needed.

2. Explain to your children that they are at “school” while you’re at work. Don’t forget to take regular breaks for having family time and play during the day.

3. If you and your partner are both working, help each other with kids. Book mornings for important calls and ask your partner to take the children out. Switch the roles every other day.

4. Find the calmest and the most peaceful room at your home with the minimum possible family distractions to use your working time most effectively.

5. Prioritise and categorise tasks according to your focus availability during the day. Schedule the most important ones for when the kids are asleep or playing outside, the less concentration-demanding for when the kids might be around.

6. Find time to relax – don’t overload yourself with work just because kids are out of sight. Make it me/we-time.

7. Keep weekends special and step outside the routine, as you used to do before the quarantine.

8. Set up time slots for shopping and administration when your children or work schedule allows you to.

Did you find some good solutions for child management yourself? We’re all ears. Let us know. Because sharing (knowledge) is caring. And free.