*Updated October 2021*
Covid-19 made a significant impact on our lifestyle. As the concept of flexible working becomes mainstream, many businesses start rethinking the norm of work patterns. That's why most office-based employees have remained working from home for the majority of the week even after we came out of lockdown and things started running as normal again. If you're a parent, chances are there are some days you have to work from home while looking after your children. You are not alone!
We’ve spoken to several candidates and clients who have been facing a difficult predicament; trying to establish a healthy balance between managing their workload and keeping up productivity while looking after their family and coping with any disruptions this may have on telephone or video calls.
So, we thought it would be a good idea to put together some helpful top tips for parents trying to navigate their way around working from home under these circumstances:
- Develop a Schedule
Having a set plan for daily/weekly tasks can be useful for helping you develop a stable balance between your work and family obligations. Now, of course, situations will arise that you could not have planned for, which is fine. Flexibility is key here. If you must place certain tasks to one side for the time being, just remember to make a note of them and revisit the tasks later.
If you have any sensitive calls you need to take which will require complete silence from your end, ensure your children are aware of this and have an activity set up in advance for them that will cover the time of the call.
- Utilise Online Learning Resources
One of the key responsibilities for parents is ensuring that your children have a solid education. With schools closing, it is understandable that some parents will be worried their kids’ education may suffer. But fear not, there are numerous free learning resources readily available online for children of all ages, and many schools and colleges have implemented their own online classrooms and have handed out homework packs.
BBC Bitesize, Future Learn, and Open Learn are just a few examples of useful resources intended to help your children with schoolwork and examinations.
- Prioritise Your Workload
Prioritising your workload has always been a key component of any job role, and with recent developments, it’s essential. It’s important to remember you can’t do everything. So tasks that don’t require immediate attention should be put aside for now. The idea here is to work smarter, not harder. This will ensure that you don’t get bogged down with unnecessary tasks, avoid getting overworked, and remain productive.
- Create a Plan of Self-Led Activities
Trying to get your work done whilst keeping your children entertained may seem a little tricky at first. However, developing a list of self-led activities for them to follow can massively improve your chances of working efficiently without being constantly disturbed. There are numerous activities out there that can be fun and engaging for children of all ages.
Just a few examples include reading, playing educational games, arts and crafts, and watching tv (but not too much!). Set them challenges to complete each day – for example, pin a map up on the wall, give them a country a day and ask them to find 5 interesting and unusual facts about it. Where possible, try to keep your working space and your children’s learning/ play spaces separate.
- Set Some Time Aside for Yourself (Parents Need a Break Too!)
The need to take regular breaks whilst working from home cannot be emphasised enough. It’s crucial to take some time out to recharge your batteries and look after your mental health. This will help you have a refreshed focus on your workload and increase your productivity.
It’s important to remember that these are very unusual and unprecedented times and that you’re not alone in this situation. Companies should be willing to be lenient and to make exceptions, and if you find you're struggling with your current work set up speak to a colleague or your manager.
Trying to set a good balance between your work and family life is not easy and there is no defined approach to doing this. With the continuous uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, each day will be different and will require adjustments to fit your specific needs. However, with a little patience and a positive attitude, you will find the right structure for yourself and your kids.
