The school holidays are in full swing, but that doesn’t mean mom and dad are on holiday, too.
Do you work from home on a regular basis? You’re not alone; up to 50% of employees are expected to work part-time or full-time remotely, primarily from their homes, within the next several years. One of the most difficult aspects of working from home is balancing business and family. People who work from home may find it difficult to separate their personal and professional lives, especially if they have young children at home.
While working from home might be convenient while the kids are at school, it can be very difficult when you have children at home during the school holidays. Here are some tips on how you can juggle the needs of your children and the needs of your career.
Make a schedule for yourself and your children
Create a daily schedule with your children and stick to it. Decide how many hours a day you will work from home and how long you will take off for lunch. Stick to the rules you set for yourself and your children. This creates a sense of predictability about when and where you’ll be working, which makes it much easier to put into action.
Dress for the job
Even if you have no plans to leave the house, it’s important to get ready for work. This not only makes you feel more professional, but it also communicates to your children that you are – in fact – working.
Get up early and go for it!
Your best friend is the early hours of the morning. If you can, get up early and get some work done before the rest of the home wakes up.
Silent warning signs
If you need to make important business phone calls or have a Zoom or Teams meeting scheduled, tie a scarf to the door handle and tell your children that they can’t enter the room when the scarf is on the door handle.
Get help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help with the kids during the holidays. Lean on family and friends to help babysit younger children, or hire a nanny who can assist during the school holidays.
