Working From Home With Babies and Toddlers: A Survival Guide

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The past couple of years have brought the issues facing parents working from home to the forefront. Simultaneously juggling work and family duties has left many of us physically and mentally fatigued. But there are ways to make things easier on yourself, and we’ll share three of these strategies with you:

Tap Into Your Support System

You and your spouse should discuss expectations when it comes to taking care of your little ones in situations where one or both of you work from home. Look at your schedules and see when one of you can work while the other takes care of the kids. If you have parents or relatives living nearby, they may be happy to pitch in and spend a few hours a week with your babies, which will give them an opportunity to bond. And if money allows, you can hire a babysitter a few hours a day or a week so you can get your work done. Make sure you establish clear boundaries when it comes to your work hours, and let caregivers know what would constitute an emergency and warrant an interruption. Try to be proactive by writing down lists such as what snacks are allowed, when and how much screen time is okay, and other helpful tips for the person who will take care of your child, in order to minimize non-emergency interruptions.

Create a Work-Only Zone

Separating your work space from the rest of your house will make you more focused and efficient, and it can also keep your little ones safer as they won’t be tempted to pull on electric cords or play with scissors and staplers. But if you don’t have a dedicated room you can use as an office and you need to set up your desk in your bedroom, living room or nursery, invest in furniture where you can tuck away all your office equipment, out of reach of little hands, and get a sturdy filing cabinet with a lock to safeguard your important documents. When your house is your office, visually separating work and home will do wonders for your mental health and wellness. And taking breaks throughout the day to enjoy a snack with your toddlers or to go out for a stroll in the neighborhood will help you recharge, ready to go back to your desk and get some work done.

Set Up a Schedule

You may have to break up your day into multiple chunks of time to accommodate your and your baby’s schedule, so take your cues from your little one to divide your workday. If you’re lucky enough to have a baby or toddler who takes regular naps, use that window of time to focus on the work you need to accomplish that requires your full, undivided attention. Try to schedule phone calls and virtual meetings during this quiet time as well. Forget about cleaning the kitchen or other household duties: there will be time for those tasks later, when your little one is awake, safely seated in a playpen or high chair. Of course, there are days you won’t be able to stick to the same schedule and you’ll have to make some adjustments, so make sure you prioritize your work accordingly, and give yourself some grace if some things just don’t get done. And if your workload is just too much, leaving you no time for family, consider a career change: get a degree online while studying at your own pace, and go after a new job that will give you greater work-life balance.

You can’t be an effective worker and an effective parent if you’re running on empty. So ask for help from the people around you, and try to come up with a schedule that lets you spend time with your little ones while still getting your work done. You’ll feel less stress and guilt knowing you’re doing your best.

Looking for some fun activities for your kids while you work? Browse our Indoor and Drop-In Care Guides and discover all that Missoula has to offer to your family!