For several months now, people have been dealing with the devastating effects of the coronavirus and the quarantine. And it hasn’t been easy. If their job allows it, many people have been obliged to work from home. For some, working from home has been a convenient, efficient arrangement. However, many others find it difficult to deal with work stress and family stress at the same time. Because, depending on the family, many children needed to be home at the same time. From colleges to daycare, families need to find ways to play together and work together each and every day.
There is also an increasing number of employers who are also in favor of the work from home concept. This also benefits employers. Some of these benefits include significantly reduced numbers of supervisors required and lower overhead expenses. However, for those people who have children at home, this can cause problems given that they have to watch their children who happen to also be at home. These days, an ever-increasing number of people are working from home and watching their children at the same time.
A work at home plan
Tekijä Stockshakir/Shutterstock
Homeworkers should develop a home plan. Obviously, one of the best aspects is communication, regardless of whether the work is at home or elsewhere. It is important to inform the supervisor of the current work status. However, when children are also at home, the work becomes more difficult.
It is important to proactively communicate with your employer that your work environment includes children and that the conversation may sometimes not be free of interruptions. With any kind of luck, the work will be flexible so that you will be able to balance out work at home and taking the time to take care of the children.
People can help
When work becomes hectic, it might be wise to consider asking certain people to watch the children for a time during the day. It can help if trusted neighbors, uncles or aunts, babysitters, older children, or grandparents can assist the children with their schoolwork, study time, meals, or recreation.
If you cannot find someone to come in, another option is to set up virtual playdates. In doing so, the person can engage with the children through dancing, singing, playing games, reading them a story, or simply having a conversation. You can even organize people from different locations to meet up virtually and simultaneously with your children. The following apps can be very useful in this regard:
- Whatsapp call
- Facetime
- Zoom
- Skype
- Google hangouts
Different age groups of children require different activities. However, this depends on the age of the children and the schedule.
If your work schedule and budget allow for it, this could also be perfect timing to do some home remodeling, which you might have postponed due to busy routines. For example, you could invest in kitchen remodeling, which should not cost too much. You can also do most of the work yourself.
Babysitters
For those who are living with a significant other, there might be a built-in babysitter. This will get better if you both work from home. You can therefore take turns watching the children. Depending on the flexibility of the two people, this could be one answer to the problem of working at home with children.
For example, if one person works a continuous four hours, the other person can watch the children. Then they can switch jobs every four hours. Then, after the children have gone to sleep, the two people can get some more work done. However, if it is impossible to work with having children around, there are co-working spaces available that have enabled the perfect “clean and virus-free” environment for people who simply need their own peace and quiet to work. While you are not on duty to take care of the kids, you can go there and finish your work tasks.
Have fun activities with kids 
Kids tend to have a lot of energy. They are able to play all day long and still maintain a high energy level. It can therefore be difficult keeping a healthy balance when everyone is occupying the same space during the day and have different needs. In such cases, finding some alternative activities to help them stay distracted would be beneficial. For instance, taking them into the park or to a kids club can help, particularly if there is someone who can look after them.
Provided this is allowed during coronavirus in your area. In the meantime, you can use that time to hop on your electric bike or go do some grocery shopping before they need to be picked up again. In this way, you will be able to use your time effectively and efficiently.
Family Meetings
Communication can sometimes be the difference between a harmonious home environment and utter chaos. It can help to sit the children down and have a family meeting where the circumstances can be explained. If you haven’t done it yet, it’s a good idea to be honest with your children about what has been going on and how this is affecting the home structure. Explain clearly that there’s work that needs to be done from home. This means that during certain hours of the day, they need to knock before entering the office.
Bottom Line
In addition, the explanation to the children should include the fact that once the parent is done, the parent will come out and check on them. However, if they’re fighting, they should either solve the problem themselves or wait for the parent to solve the problem. The working person should also establish boundaries from the beginning. Help the children start a coloring project or a quiet puzzle. Also, inform the children that the working person will be checking in from time to time. It is also important to help the children in doing relaxing and more calming activities.
Want to know more? Here’s how you can eat healthier meals during the challenges that were brought on by the coronavirus.
About The Writer
Jennifer Monroe is an architect. She is young and ambitious, with a degree in architecture. She has eight-plus years of experience in interior and exterior design. Her mission is to inspire others to live their dreams and create their perfect sweet homes.
