Working from Home (WFH)

I think one of the most challenging things to do during summer is to work from home especially if you have kids.

What to do with kids

What do you do with your kids when you’re working?

How do you keep the kids busy? Especially when you need to be on a video conference call or in a meeting.

Tips for dealing with kids

Keep in mind the age and uniqueness of your child

• Set up a schedule with activities when you need to be on a ‘call’ Reading time, doing a puzzle, art craft, coloring
• Put a reward system in place for good behavior during times when you are “on” and can’t be interrupted.
• Have snacks & lunch prepared ahead of time
• If you’re able have someone help you, split up the day so you can have some focused time
• Get the kids outside to burn some energy off
• Help develop your child’s ability to be self-sufficient when it comes to certain things (age, maturity & ability dependent).
• Have a signal for when you shouldn’t be disturbed unless someone is hurt, bleeding, etc..
• Have a sign or sticky note on the door to signal you’re busy
• If it’s too quiet, you know what I mean if you’re a parent, then by all means go check on the kids to see what they are up to…

Things you can do:

• Have a designated place where you are able to work or at least take conference calls /meetings with minimally distraction
• Set a work schedule for yourself & communicate it with your boss and team
• Structure your day
• Define what starts your “work day” & ends your work day

As an example, I’d scan email on my phone, go out and get a coffee, come home, throw in a load of laundry in the washer then sit down at my laptop and start working. 

I’d take a break and throw the laundry into the dryer, check on the kids then return to work. My next break would be at lunch time. I’d eat, take a walk outside, come in, fold the laundry then log back into work. 

I’d end my day at the same time and shut down my computer.

Just because you are at home doesn’t mean you have to work all the time. Find what works best for you and your family and end your workday. It’ll still be there tomorrow.

• Do what is most important and a priority
• Check email only 2x a day

I didn’t always do this. I used to have my email open all day and respond to things in the moment.

When I changed my approach, I was surprised at how much time it freed up for me and how my stress level was lowered. When I’d check my email towards to end of my day, I would start from the bottom up.

I found that most of the items that came in my inbox had resolved themselves. I didn’t need to take action on many of them.

If you have email open all day, you’re probably being reactive rather than focusing on the key things you need to get done.

Tips for keeping sane WFH

• Use communication tools
• to communicate & socially interact with people
• Set boundaries and expectations
  • Such as breaks between back to back calls/meetings
  • When you’ll be on & offline
  • Your availability for meetings
• Communicate your boundaries
• Take breaks
• Turn your devices off at the end of your workday
• Shut off notifications
• Get outside; take a fresh air break or sanity break
• Be organized
• Just because others on the team are workaholics and choose to work all hours of the day, doesn’t mean you need to.