How to set your work-from-home schedule around your little one’s routine.
Are you a stay-at-home mom getting ready to start a new job? Working from home with your baby can be frustrating, overwhelming, and can fill you with parent guilt if you aren’t careful. However, if you take a proactive approach and figure out what schedule works for you, it really can be the best of both worlds!
Some parents do not have the resources to send their children to a daycare facility while they work, and others choose to keep their kids home with them even if money isn’t part of the equation. If you are blessed to have a work-from-home job there can be many advantages to keeping your little one home with you, especially during a pandemic.
In theory, working from home with a baby sounds great, you’ll just work while your baby plays, right? Unfortunately, it requires a lot more planning than you’d think, and knowing how to manage your time and how to organize your day is essential. A poorly organized day will lead to your workload piling up, your little one getting their needs met late, and an increase in your overall stress. It can be tough to get it all under control!
Different things work for different people, but I have found that organizing my schedule around my little one’s schedule makes a huge difference in how productive I can be. When you try to organize your child’s needs around a strict work schedule, it can prove to be unproductive. After all, nobody can get any work done when your little one is screaming in the background!
First, I always make sure my child’s needs are met, and that I maintain a nurturing and supportive environment for them while they are stuck in the “office” with me. No matter how old your little ones are, they will typically have a daily schedule. A good place to start is by plotting out your child’s day and then comparing it side by side to your work schedule. The best time to work is while your child is preoccupied, such as during meal times and naps. My work as a Virtual Assistant allows me to make my own schedule, therefore I am able to plan my most intensive work for the day during my son’s 2-hour nap.
Another way I maximize my time in a day is to plan out and prepare his meals during my days off. I often freeze food so that I don’t have to take time away from my work to cook. After all, preparing 3 meals a day is hard work and takes a lot of time! Even if you only spend 15 minutes cooking each meal, that’s 45 minutes of additional time you gain by taking care of this beforehand. If you aren’t quite on the level of meal prepping for your toddler and need a place to start, something as simple as chopping up fruit and veggies the night before can make a huge difference in reducing your time in the kitchen.
Next, make sure you plan out some activities before you clock in. Kids want to play! In fact, they need to play, and it is crucial for their development. Putting some thought into activities your child can safely occupy themselves with is a great way to entertain them while simultaneously buying yourself some time. Pinterest is full of great DIY activities if you need ideas, and let’s be real, your child will be easily preoccupied with things you have around your home. Personally, I can’t quite keep mine away from the recycling bin!
Hopefully, these tips will help you, and if anything maybe you have gained a little insight into how a little planning can help you be a lot more productive.