Surviving working from home with children: 10 tips for parents
<p>In 2023, more than <a href="https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-652-x/89-652-x2024003-fra.htm">20% of the Canadian population</a> was working from home, enjoying a better work-life balance. Still, juggling work and parenting responsibilities can sometimes put a strain on your nervous system. Discover our 10 tips for balancing your professional commitments and your role as a parent so that you don't lose control.</p>
<h2>Plan your schedule</h2>
<p>Careful planning is essential to ensure that teleworking and caring for your children runs smoothly. Identify in advance the time you are going to devote to your work and the time when you will be fully available to your children. If your partner also works from home, talk to them about a clear division of parenting responsibilities, so everyone can enjoy optimal periods of concentration.</p>
<p>When planning, think about what could come up unexpectedly and possible solutions to deal with it. What happens if your child is sick or if you and your partner have important meetings at the same time? How will you modify your schedule to school holidays or unforeseen daycare closures? As a self-employed person, being prepared to handle these situations is crucial to avoid delays in your projects and maintain a strong professional relationship with your clients.</p>
<h2>Set up a dedicated space for work</h2>
<p>This tip applies to all people working from home, but it's even more important for those with children. Having a <a href="https://fr.momenteo.com/blogue/un-bureau-a-la-maison-les-points-a-considerer">dedicated space for your work</a> makes it easier for you to separate your professional and personal life. If you always sit in the same place, your children will easily understand that this is the time when you should not be disturbed. If possible, set up an entire room exclusively dedicated to your work and use it only for this function. This will allow you to close the door during meetings and give you periods to concentrate.</p>
<h2>Set a schedule based on your children's needs</h2>
<p>The beauty of remote work is its great flexibility. You can therefore build your schedule according to the specific needs of your family. Does your child take a nap in the morning? Take advantage of this time for tasks that require more concentration. Do your kids come home from school around 4 p.m.? Take a break for a few minutes to spend some quality time with them.</p>
<p>By adapting your schedule this way, you may also have to agree to work outside of normal hours to meet your work commitments. This will allow you to distribute your workload realistically while maintaining a balance between your personal life and your professional obligations. Take the time to assess your limits and abilities to set a sustainable and effective pace.</p>
<h2>Explain teleworking to your children</h2>
<p>Help your children understand that working from home requires the same concentration and seriousness as in a traditional office. For younger children, teach them to distinguish between times when you're in 'work' mode and when you're ready to have fun. Let them know with short sentences, like "I'm done!", which means your period of concentration is over and you're now available to play with them. With older children, take the time to discuss your expectations and establish a schedule and specific rules. Also explain to them what you do when you are at your workstation and why it is important not to disturb you. By understanding your needs, your children will be more willing to respect your space and work time, which will promote a harmonious family atmosphere.</p>
<h2>Keep your kids busy</h2>
<p>Teleworking is a great way to develop your children's autonomy, as they have to take care of themselves while you work on your tasks or business. Prepare age-appropriate activities for them that they can do without your help. It will be more effective if younger children do short activities, while the older ones can focus on longer tasks.</p>
<p>Here are some ideas to inspire you:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>puzzles</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>colouring</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>building block sets</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>books</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>simple crafts</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>educational games on a tablet</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Take breaks to play</h2>
<p>As mentioned above, the flexibility of teleworking is a valuable ally! Take advantage of this to incorporate breaks into your day and spend quality time with your children. Whether it's playing a game or going to the park in the middle of the afternoon, these moments will allow you to get away from work, recharge your batteries, and strengthen your family bonds.</p>
<h2>Work Away from Home</h2>
<p>You don't always have to work in your home office. If your children participate in sports activities, why not use the time during their training activities to answer a few emails or get some work done on certain contracts?</p>
<p>Having children can also mean living in a constant whirlwind. Sometimes you may need to get out of the house, and that's totally normal! Determine with your partner what the best times are to leave them alone with the children. Take the opportunity to go to work in a quiet place, such as a café, the library or a <a href="https://fr.momenteo.com/blogue/9-avantages-de-travailler-dun-espace-de-coworking">coworking space</a>.</p>
<h2>Ask for help</h2>
<p>Don't be afraid to ask for help if you're having trouble juggling your responsibilities as a parent and self-employed person. It's important to keep work motivating and family time enjoyable, which can become a challenge if you're constantly burned out. Do you have loved ones who could lend you a hand? If your parents keep telling you that they would like to spend more time with their grand children, why not let them babysit for a few hours a week?</p>
<p>If your friends or family are not available, daycare is also an option. By sending your children there part-time, you will be able to concentrate on your work for longer periods of time without distractions. Another option could also be to hire someone to come to your home to take care of your children. A few hours of peace and quiet could help you regain balance.</p>
<h2>Adapt</h2>
<p>After some time experimenting with balancing work and children, you may realize that you've fallen behind on your deadlines, can't concentrate, or are exhausted. Don't beat yourself up! Instead, take this situation as an opportunity to adjust your approach. Analyze what works and what doesn't and make changes to better meet your needs. For example, redefine your career goals by focusing on the tasks completed rather than the number of hours worked. Set realistic expectations that are appropriate for your reality. Remember that your success is unique, and so is your day-to-day.</p>
<p>Balancing telework and raising children is not a one-size-fits-all solution: it changes according to your priorities, needs, and those of your children. Try different approaches, adjust how you organize your work and personal obligations, and remember that the key is to move forward, no matter how fast.</p>
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<p>Roxane has always written and dreamed of making a living from her pen. Now a web editor, proofreader and author, we can say that it's mission accomplished!</p>