As working parents, we are dealing with an unprecedented amount of stress. Between trying to balance the demands of work, family, and personal life, it’s no wonder that so many women feel like they’re losing their minds! But there is hope: ways to stay focused on your work while being a good parent. I’ve learned over time that having clear boundaries—and sticking to them—is essential for me as a working mother. If you struggle with staying focused while working at home with kids around, then consider some of these tips:
As working parents, we are dealing with an unprecedented amount of stress.
As working parents, we are dealing with an unprecedented amount of stress. We give our all at work and are expected to perform well. But at home, we have so much more on our plate. We still have to cook meals for the family, do laundry and keep a clean house to maintain a healthy environment for our children. And then there’s the added responsibility of being present for homework help and playtime after school or daycare ends.
This often leaves us feeling overwhelmed — but it doesn’t have to be this way! As working parents, we understand how important it is to set boundaries around your work schedule so that you can feel less stressed out and enjoy time with your family without guilt or resentment creeping in. Here are five tips on how you can manage setting boundaries while still maintaining productivity:
- Set achievable goals at work, such as completing one task before leaving your desk or finishing up any tasks related to one client instead of trying to get through everything on your list when kids arrive home from school.* Create accountability by tracking how many hours per week/month/year you spend working from home (via Google Sheets), which will help motivate you towards reaching those goals.* Don’t let yourself get distracted by social media during “me time.” For example: if I know I only have one hour between lunchtime drop-off and my so, getting picked up from daycare (3 pm), then don’t spend that time scrolling through Facebook feeds instead of doing actual work! Instead, try using some apps such as Rescue Time which tracks what sites advance users visit most frequently throughout their day; this helps me realize where my biggest distractions lie.”
The most important thing you can do is to set clear boundaries and be consistent.
One of the most important things you can do is to set clear boundaries and be consistent.
Don’t let yourself get distracted by your kids, spouse, dog, or cat. If they are all in your space when you’re working—even if they aren’t doing anything distracting—it can be easy to lose focus on what’s important: finishing this project so that YOU can get another job! For example, if there’s a pile of laundry in the corner of the room that needs folding, and someone needs to go outside for their walk, then it might be better not to start working until those things are taken care of first. That way, everyone is happy!
Tell your employer exactly how many hours you can work each week and the days/hours you will be available.
Tell your employer exactly how many hours you can work each week and the days/hours you will be available. Your job should include specific details about your availability, such as the days and times you can work. In addition, if you have small children, it’s important to tell your employer how much time they require from their non-working parent so that everyone understands what is expected from each party. Be honest with yourself—if something comes up during the day that requires your attention, don’t accept the job if it means not being able to fulfill the obligations outlined in your contract or company policies (e.g., responding to emails within 24 hours). If certain things are tricky for others in similar positions at other companies but acceptable for yours (for example: leaving early on Wednesdays), let them know and request an exception so that everyone is clear about what’s expected from all parties involved in this process.
In addition to setting schedules for when you are working, set schedules for when you are not working.
When scheduling your day, set aside time for things other than work. For example, if you have kids or pets, set aside time to spend with them. If you love to exercise, schedule that in as well.
Take the time to do things that are not work-related. For example, this can include reading blogs like this or checking out what’s on Netflix.
If there is anything specific that you want to accomplish outside of working hours (like starting a blog), then make sure it gets scheduled too!
Appreciate the flexibility of having knowledgeable kids as coworkers who can work around your schedule.
As a parent, you’re used to dealing with all kinds of situations that require flexibility. Your kids are no exception—they can be great coworkers and will help you stay on task if given a chance. It may sound counter-intuitive, but having knowledgeable kids as coworkers can help you stay focused on your work. For example:
- If one or both parents need to leave early for an appointment or meeting, it’s helpful for children to know what needs to happen before everyone else leaves the house. If Mom has an appointment at 9:00 am and Dad needs to go by 8:30 am for work, then Mom should enlist her child in getting ready first thing in the morning, so she doesn’t have any chores left upon her return home from her appointment (or vice versa).
- When everyone else is gone from the house, having another set of eyes looking out for potential hazards (such as hot stoves) can be comforting. Doing this makes parents feel more secure about leaving their little ones alone in familiar surroundings while they’re away doing other things during their workday.
Whether it’s your dining room table or a corner in a bedroom, find a comfortable and distraction-free space to get your work done.
Whether it’s your dining room table, a corner in a bedroom, or a small table in the corner of the kitchen, find a comfortable and distraction-free space to get your work done.
- Make sure it’s a space you can use for a long time. It doesn’t have to be permanent, but try not to move around too much if possible.
- Make sure it’s not too noisy (i.e., no phones ringing). If there are distractions nearby like TVs on or family members talking loudly at each other, go somewhere else until things quiet down again.
- And lastly: make sure this is a space where you can focus!
Establishing rigid boundaries is important.
Establishing rigid boundaries is important. Parents and kids alike can benefit from the structure of a set routine. However, it’s also important to allow yourself time to relax and enjoy life, even if it’s only a short period.
If you have children at home, they must know what’s expected of them when they’re with you and when they’re not around you physically or online (more below).
I try my best to keep all electronics off in the evening unless there is a specific need for such a device. For example, if I want my kids to watch something on Netflix while we work together on our computers in different rooms or if I need them online so I can teach or coach over Skype or Zoom video conference calls. In general, though, my family knows that everyone must attend family activity before being allowed back into their rooms for any solo activity (including homework) after dinner.
Conclusion
I hope that you find these tips helpful. I genuinely believe that by setting clear boundaries and being consistent, we can make our home offices a more positive experience for ourselves and our families. I love working from home, and so do my kids! But it’s important to remember that this is work, not play time—which means we need to be serious about what we’re doing and how much time we spend on it. That said, don’t let your guard down too much either: the best way to keep your focus strong is to keep things fresh! With these five tips in mind and careful planning ahead of time (such as planning breaks into your work schedule), everyone will stay happy while achieving their goals together.”
I would love to know what your thoughts are. Feel free to comment below with your opinion, tips, or suggestions!
XOXO Mary
Working from home is the ideal work setup for me, but if one doesn’t stay focussed, it can become an issue. Some people find working from home challenging, and even more so if you have to juggle kids and other responsibilities, while also working for an employer.
I have found that setting boundaries is one of the most important factors. It might be difficult for the kids, or other household members, to understand that although you are at home, you are not available to them the whole time. But if you stick to it and stay focussed and consistent, kids learn and then look forward to the time that mom is available to have fun with them.
Thank you for your response. Yes, staying focused and consistent is important. I loved being able to work from home to spend more time with my kids, and being BALANCED helped me keep my sanity and life enjoyable! XOXO Mary
Thanks a lot for sharing this post! Working from home has always been a dream to me. But once I made it happen, my family was a big distraction in my everyday work. Finding a comfortable and distraction-free space wasn’t enough. My family needed some time to adjust to the boundaries I had set. I even had to be a little rude sometimes and raise my voice, but once I got there, we have never had better relationship respecting each other’s schedules.
Hi Ivan, boundaries are very important, with your example, boundaries teach your children self-respect which in the end game creates higher self-esteem. In addition, being consistent teaches children to stand firm in their beliefs and what they feel is acceptable. Feel free to share you your social media accounts and sign up for my newsletter!
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