Productivity Tips for Working From Home With Kids
Finding ways to be productive at work is one thing. But trying to stay productive while working from home with kids is on another level!
Working from home provides us with so much flexibility but it comes with its own set of challenges. Personally, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to working from home with kids.
As I navigated through my own adjustment of being a WFH mom, I’ve learned what helps me stay productive (and sane).
Here are tips on how to stay productive while working from home with kids.
1. Have a Strict Work/Life Balance
When you work from home, it’s easy for work and personal life to start blending together. Make it a point to keep the two separate. A few ways to do this:
- Don’t check your work email outside of work hours
- Don’t start work sooner or stay on later than needed
- Put away notebooks or any other work materials you have to “close” for the day
Setting these boundaries for yourself will help you enjoy your personal time more because you won’t be concerned with work while you’re trying to spend quality time with your family.
2.Make Time for Yourself in the Morning and/or Evening
Going along with keeping a strict balance, make your “me time” count!
Take the time for yourself in the mornings and/or evenings to do things YOU want to do. Get a workout in, do some journaling, catch up on a show.
This time should be about doing something you enjoy and not trying to catch up on chores.
If you want to stay productive while working from home with kids, it’s crucial to avoid burnout. And that means slowing down and making time for you!
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3. Take Advantage Of No Commute
What would you do with the extra time you would normally spend commuting to and from work?
This is the perfect opportunity to do quick chores, meal plan, get organized. You can also dedicate some of this to your “me time!”
Another great option is to use this to spend quality time with your kids.
This can be difficult to do during the day when you’re trying to work but since you don’t have to worry about commuting, you can instead enjoy breakfast with your family and have extra time to play when you’re done with work.
RELATED READ: 20 Easy & Simple Me Time Ideas for Moms
4. Meal Plan
This is a helpful thing to do whether you work from home or not. Meal planning will make grocery shopping easier and you will have one less thing to worry about each day.
Instead of wondering during the day of what to eat, you’ll know ahead of time and have the ingredients you need.
Meal planning is even more important when you have kids because you’ll be prepared to give them snacks and meals you know they’ll actually enjoy.
5. Take Breaks as Seriously as You Would if You Were in the Office
When working from home, it can be tempting to work through your lunch, start earlier or end later.
But if you want to stay sane, take your full breaks just as you would if you were in the office.
Taking these breaks is a great opportunity to get some play time in the with kids during the day too!
6. Make Your Workspace Functional & Personalize
There’s no reason a home office can’t be fun! If anything, you probably have more flexibility for decorating than you would in an office.
Also making sure your space is organized and functional will make it feel less chaotic.
| Home Office Essentials |
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| Phone Stand Desk Organizer White Board Calendar |
Concluding How to Stay Productive While Working From Home With Kids
I hope these tips were helpful on how to stay productive while working from home with kids.
Some tips are just general good practice but they all can be applied to keeping yourself productive and sane while you have kids at home.
How do you manage working from home with kids? Share in the comments!
BEFORE YOU GO…
Don’t forget to check out my WFH Mom Planner Bundle! For $4, this bundle includes:
- Morning Routine Planner
- Master Checklist- With Categories + Create Your Own Categories
- Daily Top Tasks Worksheet
- Blank Calendar to fill in once your master checklist is complete!
This is so helpful! I definitely struggle at times working at home with the kids. Signing up for your printable s!
Thanks Christina! Working from home with kids is no joke! I hope you enjoy the printables 🙂
These are fantastic tips for work from home moms. I’m still working working outside my home but planning to transition early next spring. Bookmarking these tips!
Hi Megan,
I’m so glad you found these tips for working from home helpful! Good luck on your transition 🙂
These are some great tips. I work from home for a normal 9-5 job, and I’m working on two blogs to grow them to the next level. I LITERALLY SHUT EVERYTHING down on my 9-5 portion of my office and then move my laptop over to my “blogging job” position. I don’t touch the laptop until our dinner routines, showers, and other odd and end tasks are done and then I do as much as I can till 10 pm. Then I completely close up my entire office and head to our bedroom with either my iPad or my Kindle and unwind the rest of the night.
It’s amazing how if you get into a routine things will fall into place, and you’ll be able to take FULL advantage of every minute given to us.
Hi Crystal,
I LOVE hearing how you have a solid work from home routine! It’s so important to keep the work life separate from the other areas. It sounds like you’re able to be really productive with a disciplined schedule. Keep up your hard work!! 🙂