Taking care of a household is already a full-time job. How much more if you have a traditional job on top of that?
If you have a typical office job, you may find separating your work and life more manageable.
But how about if you work from home?
How do you juggle taking care of your kids while working?
Doesn’t it sound too overwhelming already? Aren’t you worried that parenting issues may arise?
In this article, we outline some tips that might help you juggle your remote job and household responsibilities better.
Pros and Cons of Being a Work-From-Home Parent
For people with children, having a remote job seems like a dream.
And while it appears to be ideal for a bit, being a work-from-home parent does have its challenges.
Thus, before deciding to become a full-time remote worker, think about the pros and cons as a parent first.
Pros:
- No need for everyday commutes.
- You don’t have to follow a dress code. Thus, there’s less need to buy new clothes.
- You can attend to your other responsibilities at home.
- You can work virtually anywhere, as long as you have access to a good Internet connection.
- You can spend more time with your spouse and kids.
Cons:
- Working from home can possibly be more distracting than being in an office.
- Achieving a healthy work-life balance may be more difficult.
- Remote work can feel isolating.
- Home may feel more chaotic due to the lack of boundaries.
- Working from home can potentially decrease productivity due to constant disturbances.
With all these factors in mind, take the time to contemplate whether or not remote working is for you.
Still, how does having a remote job affect your children?
While working from home grants you the freedom of spending more time with your kids, this is not always the reality.
You may find yourself working most of the time—either on your phone or laptop, checking for emails and messages.
As such, your attention may still be divided, which can give rise to parenting issues. According to Forbes, fewer full-time parents have full-time jobs on top of their household responsibilities.
Parents are also more likely to feel guilty about not being able to take care of their kids the way they want.
If you find yourself in such a situation, here are a few tips on how to balance working from home and being a parent.
Create a Routine (And Stick to It!)
To start, make a schedule and be sure to follow it!
It’s often useful to first identify which hours of the day your kids would need your attention most. You can then schedule your work hours around it to make sure you don’t get disturbed while on the clock.
Creating time blocks allows you to make effective use of time.
Limit Your Kid’s (Or Kids’) Screen Time
We are living in a digital world, whether we like it or not. However, it does not mean parents should let their kids watch as much TV as they can. (Or use mobile phones for entertainment.)
Your kids can develop potential eye problems at an early age. Increased screen time can also affect your child’s development, which leads to social and speech issues and attention problems.
Many experts suggest that children younger than two years old should not be exposed to electronic devices. Once they hit the two-year-old mark, children can be introduced to some form of screen time. But only then, it should be a gradual introduction.
Still, remember to not replace playing, reading, and other child development activities with screen time alone.
Set Boundaries
As a parent, it’s best to let your kids know and understand that you are not to be disturbed when you are working.
This prevents any interruption during work (unless, of course, there’s an emergency).
You can teach them certain cues like if your office door is closed, it means you would not like to be disturbed.
Or if you are on the phone, it could be you are speaking with your boss – and thus aren’t free to chat.
Your children may not understand it overnight, but they will with time and patience.
Prepare a Snack and Drink Station
Oftentimes, your kids may interrupt you if they feel hungry or thirsty.
As such, one quick remedy is to set up snack and drink stations for your kids.
You can also teach your kids how to get goodies for themselves. Just make sure everything is child-safe or in places they can easily reach.
Split Parenting Duties With Your Partner
Of course, don’t do everything all by yourself.
Share some of the childcare duties with your partner. Be honest with them if you need help (because you do)!
Parenting is not solely one parent’s job. It should be a team effort. Thus, ask for help whenever things get overwhelming.
Remain Gentle With Your Kids and Yourself
Lastly, remember to stay kind and gentle with your kids and yourself. Working from home, especially if it’s your first time, requires an adjustment period.
Cut yourself some slack. You are doing the best that you can.
Final Word
Remote working is here to stay.
There are benefits of working from home for moms and dads. However, it’s not without its unique challenges. Hopefully, these tips will help you find that balance in your career as a professional and as a parent.
On that note, are you thinking about switching from regular office work to a remote job? Well, you may find an open position in Remote Staff’s job listings!
Remote Staff has been in the remote staffing industry for 15 years. The company has provided countless Filipino remote workers with work-from-home opportunities. This work setup allows them to spend more time with their families.
Want to know more? Register today!
