One of the biggest attractions of work from home is the chance to spend more time with family. Working from home allows you to remain with your family, especially during these trying times. Aside from being able to do your work in your pajamas and no more commute, this is what makes it so alluring to many Filipinos nowadays.
Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case for some remote workers. Just because you’re physically present at home doesn’t mean you can have free time to spend with your family. With employers that think work from home arrangement means you’re available throughout the day and the usual stress from work, your time isn’t as flexible as you initially thought.
In this article, I will provide tips on how you can find ways to spend more time with your family while working from home. Although working for your family is very important, you should also spend time with them as well. Not only is it relaxing, but it also reorients you on why you’re working in the first place.
Enjoy a Meal With Your Family
I think this is one of the simplest things you can do to bond with your family. Enjoying a simple meal, such as during your lunch break or meryenda, can go a long way with improving your relationship with your parents, siblings, or children. You can share and listen to each other’s stories, as well as offer advice to one another as well.
Of course, you would then say: “But I have a lot of things to do right now. They can go ahead and eat without me.” That is true, yes, but when you keep doing that every day it piles up. Soon, you’ll find yourself eating alone, as your family went on without you.
Set Proper Boundaries Between Work and Family
Are you having trouble with your boss contacting you in what is supposed to be your after-work hours? Or perhaps, your children/parents/siblings are interrupting one of your meetings with your clients? Without proper boundaries between your work and family, you’ll end up stressing over both, which won’t help your productivity.
To have time to spend with your family, you need to accomplish all your tasks as smoothly and efficiently as possible. To do this, set when you will be working and when you won’t be working to your family and bosses. Of course, when your boss contacts you during after-work hours and says you’re urgently needed, you should still prioritize that.
Plan Your Family Events in Advance
Just like in office-based work, you need to plan your family’s events ahead of time and notify your boss or clients. Not only is this proper etiquette, but it also allows you to prepare for these events in time.
Of course, what with the pandemic and all, you and your family can’t go out that much. Still, a simple game or movie night with your family can be a great way to bond with one another. Those paid leaves are there for a reason, you know, so make use of them to be with your family.
Avoid Overtime Unless Absolutely Necessary
Another common misconception made by both employees and employers is that working overtime is a sign of efficiency. Not only will this lead to the employee becoming exhausted, but it will also lead to burnout. So unless necessary, if you’re working from home, avoid doing any overtime work.
A co-worker of mine said that eight hours is more than enough for you to accomplish your tasks for the day. Avoiding unnecessary overtime gives you more time to be with your family and wind down after a day of work.
Conclusion
In summary, these advice are just a few ways you can balance your work while still having time to bond with your family at home. Family is one of your sources of support during these trying times, as they’re one of the few people that you can physically interact with every day.
Work from home allows you the previously unheard-of chance to remain with your family while working. Don’t waste this opportunity to get to know your family better while still being able to support them.
