There was a time when women who stayed at home were out of options to earn a living. Times have changed and so have women. Women often feel their responsibilities are at a peak when they become a mom. They often leave their job for the sake of their young ones. But, managing things could not have been more easy, if the tons of work-at-home options were not available to you. But, working at home with a toddler in your arms is also a challenge. Don’t worry, we have a few easy tips for you to manage home and work efficiently.
1. Work when your child is sleeping
It is quite an advantage that toddlers sleep for most of the day. Whenever they fall asleep, you can feel the urge to complete household chores and office tasks at one go, incessantly, before they wake up. Nothing is more peaceful than seeing your child sleep, so you can work with calm and peace and successfully accomplish your task.
2. Involve children when they are not sleeping
While working from home, you must have noticed that your little devils tend to distract you from work because they vie for attention. Kids get easily involved in anything. So all you have to do is set up a play corner and engage them with toys. In this way, you can keep an eye on them while concentrating on your work.
3. Child proof your office corner
Children are more likely to play with electronic gadgets, sockets, table corners or anything that you’ll ask them to stay away from. So, if as kids you can’t make them understand, try taking precautions as concerned parents; smoothen table edges, make sure power outlets are under your control, etc.
4. Try being helped out by someone else
Kids love the company of a new person in their circle. So, you can freely work when their grandparents are happy to take care of them or swap on a babysitting session with your girlfriend. In this way, you’ll be assured that someone is taking care of your kids in the same manner as you do.
5. Bring on technology
Try going the T-way as much as you can. It’s technology boom and you also can reap heaped benefits of it as doing your work over cellphones or a Wi-Fi connection to your laptop can give you wings. In this way, you are not bound to sit and work at one corner, but work according to your convenience.
6. Don’t get distracted
It is possible that the little free time you sneak out of your busy schedule to do work, can be disturbed by an odd number of irritating phone calls from relatives or insurance companies, annoying salesman at your door, etc. So, switch on your voicemail or answering machine and a do-not-disturb sign on your door.
7. Be well dressed
It’s not that you are dressing for a surprise visitor. The fact is many a times, we tend to casually dress at homes and while working from home, the laid back attitude refuses to go. If you dress a bit professionally, then you’ll realize that you are more mentally alert and less casual towards work.
8. Be an efficient multi-tasker
You cannot always go for this option, but multi-tasking is the last straw. Actually, multi-tasking allows you to explore your options. You can read emails, while keeping an eye on your little one. You can type a letter while you set something in the oven to cook. Multi-tasking fragments your concentration, but once-in-a-while it is OK.
9. Divide household chores
Don’t let the feeling sink in that as you are working from home, you have helluva time to go around and do household chores, while looking after your baby and doing office work. Ensure that your better half shares your household chores so that you can take a breath for a moment.
10. Give children your undivided attention
Ensure that you shower your complete attention on your darling while you are around with them. Take care of them when you are feeding them or when you are bathing them. They will be delighted to have you around whenever they need you. These little tasks will give you and your young one great joys.
11. Have a good sleep and good food
This is very important not just for the child, but also for you. We all know that if we don’t receive a good night’s sleep or a proper meal, then we all are very disturbed. This is also reflected in your work as your energy level maybe low, you might be snoozing all the time, and concentration takes a back seat. So don’t forget to have a complete meal and get off to bed as soon as possible.
12. Schedule your life
It is important for you to prioritize your wants and then scheduling your daily routine. This may include cutting down extra hours on watching television, surfing net and chatting with friends. But, as you know nothing is more important to you than your work and family, these are not an issue at all.
13. Manage interruptions
You should be ready like a battlefield warrior to manage interruptions which are inevitable. Your kids can arrive early from playschool, or if they are napping, they can wake up and cry to the fullest till you comfort them. It is possible that you may lose track of what you were doing, so in case of a knocking alarm of interruption, try hurriedly to jot down what you were doing and then rush.
14. Reward yourself
Motivation is as important as hard work. You should motivate yourself by a long coffee break with your spouse and kids or take two-days off every two weeks to celebrate your hard work. A day out with your kids is the best option to refresh yourself. Staying at home and managing everything everyday is not just monotonous, but also involves a lot of effort.
15. Keep your home organized
A lot of time goes into your home cleaning spree, so instead try to pack up everything and assemble them neatly in their places when you finish work. Allot yourself home cleaning days twice every week, so that your home stays organized and you save time.
