​Navigating the World as a WAHM/WAHD

If there’s one thing we learned from COVID, it’s that having staff work from home is a viable option for many businesses, and many employees find themselves navigating a new way of working for the long term. But working at home, whether it’s temporary or permanent, comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips to help balance work and home life when you are a work-at-home parent of young children.

Working with Toddlers

Working at home seems like a dream. However, add a couple of little ones to the mix, and it can quickly get overwhelming. A few things you can do to make it easier include:

• Get up early. Most people are at their peak mentally first thing in the morning. If your toddler sleeps through the night, go to bed early with them. Then, get up a few hours before you expect them to rise. This will give you a jump on your day and an opportunity to handle your most pressing obligations first.
• Get help. Around lunchtime, your little one is going to be hungry, cranky, and ready to demand attention. Don’t be ashamed of reaching out for help, even if it means convincing an older sibling to watch a few episodes of Dora the Explorer while you wrap up your day.
• Protect your PC. Kids are curious and your toddler won’t think twice about pounding the keyboard on your work computer. Make sure your kids do not have access to your professional equipment. And if you work online, take the time to understand digital security and identity theft. The more you understand about online safety, the less you’ll have to worry if your kids get curious and wind up online.
• Offer undivided attention. As much as you know you need to work, do make a point to give your children your undivided attention at least a few times each day. Stop to have a quick snack, play a game of hide-and-seek, or read a story before naptime. Remember, toddlers are naturally self-centered, and they don’t understand that you have other responsibilities.

Working with Babies

Babies and toddlers come with their own unique set of challenges. While a toddler can keep to themselves for a few minutes at a time, a baby will not wait for your conference call to end. Here are some tips on working with the smallest members of your household:

• Take advantage of naps. This is the golden standard for working at home with babies and toddlers alike. Fortunately, babies six months and younger tend to sleep a lot of the time, so prioritize work during these precious hours.
• Keep them close. It may sound counterproductive, but your little one may rest easier if they are in the same room as you. Plan to invest in a portable crib and a few other products that will help them sleep soundly by your side. Your crib should have adjustable mattress positions and fit well into your space. 
• Pump while you work. If you are a nursing mom, you already know that pumping takes time. Plan to buy a hands-free breast pump so that you can take phone calls or respond to emails while you supply your little one with milk to go.

Working at home with little ones in the mix is not easy. However, it is possible if you take the time to plan and prepare. A word of encouragement: they don’t stay little forever. One day, you’ll be dropping them off at school, and you’ll come home to an empty house. As hard as it is to imagine now, you will miss the hustle and bustle, so enjoy the chaos while you can.