Nanny to Mommy

Faced with the challenge of juggling work and taking care of the kids at the same time? With a rush to get employees working from home, and many families trying home-schooling options, it’s completely changed your daily routine. Don’t worry everyone’s in the same boat and there are a few solutions to make it that little bit easier.

Unfortunately, you probably won’t have much flexibility to work with. You’ll want to get a lot done while the kids are asleep or busy with homeschool projects if possible. It’s the best idea to get the hardest work done first. This means being prepared to do the day’s most important tasks before breakfast. Instead of working long hours without a break, try working in short, intense bursts. Take for example half an hour to really focus on one task, have a break for 5 mins, and then start again. Plan your timetable like this. It’s even possible to get younger children used to this if you stay consistent. Learn how to teach your baby your routine so they can get to know your new work pattern.

It’s easier for both you and your kids to learn to associate a room, or corner, or whatever area you can assign, with being a workspace. Your children will grow to understand that you are in the “office” and not to be disturbed. This might be a little more challenging for parents with small babies. You can stand up and carry them if necessary and work on your phone or laptop on the kitchen counter. Download Google Docs or productivity apps onto your phone so you can be more mobile. Alternatively set them down in a baby lounger. If you’re two parents working from home, try to take turns. One parent can go to the assigned workspace and the other can stay out with the kids.

Prepare in advance activities your kids can get on with during lockdown that require minimal or no supervision. Consider the short attention span of both babies and older kids, keep them occupied with different toy rotations and puzzles. You might want to be a little more relaxed with your screentime rules. There are options for babies as well so have a look at different apps and programs such as Youtube kids, which has various age settings. For some great worksheets to keep them busy try https://studentreasures.com/teachers-lounge/lesson-plans/kindergarten/. Find something that works for your family.

When you need to focus, you could set up a video chat for your children as well with a trusted friend or family member. Make the most of the fact that everyone you know is also on lockdown and there might be someone free to watch your kids via videocall. You could combine this with daily catch-ups with your parents for example. There are even more and more professional virtual babysitters becoming available, so don’t worry! There are still plenty of options.