thanks for this question - I feel you. Home office with kids can be very challenging. We both are in a similar situation, my kids are 0.5 and 2.5 years and especially my boy (the older one) often is very focused on me. I experienced the following points to be helpful:
Explain your kids again and again that you work, how long it would probably take and that it's important, that the door is closed. It's much easier for children to accept something they don't like when they know it's only for a limited time and not the whole day.
Take breaks if possible. That way, you can spend some time with your family during the day. But that may depend... If it makes things more complicated because seeing you for a short time makes your kids cry again for a long time, it's maybe not a good idea 😅
Take advantage of sleeping time. My girl sometimes only sleeps in a baby carrier - so I carry her while standing or sitting on my laptop working.
Try to build habits, it will make things easier because the kids know beforehand what will happen and they can better adapt to it. My boy e.g. knows exactly, that he is not allowed to open the door to our bedroom (it's were I currently work 😅) if it is closed. Except my wife asks him to call me for dinner - in that case he proudly knocks on my door, opens it and shouts "papa, dinner!!" 😂
I hope this helps you a little. Me and my wife always try to figure out the real reason for a particular behavior of our children to understand their needs and provide alternatives were possible. I should also add that most of the points above only work, because my wife is at home taking care of our kids most of the time.
Thank you for this sound advice. I love the emphasis on taking the time to talk to your kids explaining what's going on, I feel like some people don't realize how much kids understand. Explaining expectations and giving them upfront times you will see them is vital. My wife is a stay at home mom, so that is extremely helpful. I typically know that the morning isn't going to be as productive as the afternoon. I got my wife annual subscriptions to the childrens museum and the zoo so they have a place to go to if they want to get out and be entertained. My son just turned 1 and my daughter will be 3 in June.
I feel like some people don't realize how much kids understand
This is soo true! Including myself. I'm always surprised how many details my son remembers from situations we've experienced together. Or what we talked about even days ago...
I got my wife annual subscriptions to the childrens museum and the zoo
Great point! Having enough ideas for trip destinations for kids is indeed very helpful. As well as meeting friends who also have kids.
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Hi Zachary,
thanks for this question - I feel you. Home office with kids can be very challenging. We both are in a similar situation, my kids are 0.5 and 2.5 years and especially my boy (the older one) often is very focused on me. I experienced the following points to be helpful:
I hope this helps you a little. Me and my wife always try to figure out the real reason for a particular behavior of our children to understand their needs and provide alternatives were possible. I should also add that most of the points above only work, because my wife is at home taking care of our kids most of the time.
Thank you for this sound advice. I love the emphasis on taking the time to talk to your kids explaining what's going on, I feel like some people don't realize how much kids understand. Explaining expectations and giving them upfront times you will see them is vital. My wife is a stay at home mom, so that is extremely helpful. I typically know that the morning isn't going to be as productive as the afternoon. I got my wife annual subscriptions to the childrens museum and the zoo so they have a place to go to if they want to get out and be entertained. My son just turned 1 and my daughter will be 3 in June.
My pleasure.
This is soo true! Including myself. I'm always surprised how many details my son remembers from situations we've experienced together. Or what we talked about even days ago...
Great point! Having enough ideas for trip destinations for kids is indeed very helpful. As well as meeting friends who also have kids.