This week we have a guest post all about working from home with the kiddos and how to manage your time in doing so.

For a year now, the coronavirus has forced many working parents to trade their office desks for their home offices. Working from home is a challenge under normal circumstances, and even more so when you have a newborn or toddler at home with you. While you may have already adjusted your routine to accommodate the waking hours of your little one, we recommend trying some of the following hacks to boost your productivity and stay sane during this WFH period.

1. Create a Designated Work Space 

   If you have been working while sitting on the sofa or at your kitchen table, it’s probably time to upgrade to having actual home office furniture to work from. The biggest reason why you should have an actual office space is to designate a place without the distractions of home life. You’ll already have enough going on without needing to worry about the TV or refrigerator calling your name.

   Clutter is also very distracting, so make sure your space is always kept clean and organized. Optimize your workspace so that when you go in that room, your brain will feel relaxed and ready to get down to business. 

   Of course, you can still have some baby gear in your office as you will need a space where they can safely nap or play. A swing or bassinet that will gently rock your baby can soothe them while you work.

2. Get Dressed Every Morning

   When you’re working from home, it can be tempting to stay in your pajamas all day. You wake to the sound of the baby crying and before you know it, the whole day has passed and you are still wearing your robe. While this doesn’t seem so bad and you are at least comfortable for mom duties, it does not help productivity levels and may even hurt them.

   If you are struggling to find time to pick out an outfit in the morning, try prepping your clothes for the week on Sunday afternoon. Choose simple outfits like jeans and a t-shirt, a flowy blouse and leggings, and a comfy jumpsuit and hang them all up in a corner of your closet. This way, you can still be cozy, but feel more pulled together and if you happen to have a Zoom call scheduled, you’ll look professional on the call. 

3. Schedule a Weekly Call with Your Boss and Coworkers

   Working from home will no doubt hinder office communication. Instead of being able to stop by your boss’ office, you will have to schedule time to speak with them if you need something.

   It can be a challenge to stay up to date unless you are in constant communication, which is why we recommend setting up brief weekly meetings just to touch base and make sure you are on track. You’ll also be able to let them know how you’re doing as you manage your weekly tasks as well as childcare.

4. Lean on Your Support System

   There is no shame in asking for help and if you have a partner, it’s expected that you will share the time spent watching the baby. Divide the day in half or divvy up the responsibilities in a way that otherwise makes sense for you.

   This WFH period is also a great time to reach out to other family members, like your parents or siblings and see if they can help watch your little one while you are working for a few hours each week. 

5. Make the Most of Naptime

   While the baby is snoozing, you’ll have a few precious minutes of quiet time to do some of the work tasks that are piling up. Save the work that requires the most concentration for these periods so that you can make the most of your time.

   You can also adjust your sleep schedule to wake up earlier than your kids and get some things done before they require your attention. While they are awake, however, you can still get light work like emails done. 

While things are starting to get a little closer to normal, we may still be working from home for a while. Some companies are even planning to continue allowing working from home well into the future. These tips can help you stay on track, stay motivated, and actually get your work done.

Rae Steinbach is a graduate of Tufts University with a combined International Relations and Chinese degree. After spending time living and working abroad in China, she returned to NYC to pursue her career and continue curating quality content. Rae is passionate about travel, food, and writing (of course)."