Working from home is going to be the “new normal” for a while. A good computer set up and strong Wi-Fi connections can help get the work done but there is another factor to consider: The kids. For many folks, working from home also means keeping the kids who are also home occupied. That can be a challenge especially when you factor in the need for homeschooling that the parents have to take over. Here are some helpful tips to make working from home more productive:

Communicate Your Goals

When you go to work, you have goals set for the day. You should know exactly what it will take to accomplish those goals and how long you will need. That has to be communicated to your kids at the start of your remote work day. You also have to let your boss know that things are different because you are managing the kid’s expectations, too. You will certainly not be alone in this new way of doing things. What you don’t want is to fall back on the kids as an excuse to “drop the ball.” Making your boss aware of your challenges can help communicate you need for extra time and patience.
Also, if you are going to be part of a conference call or Zoom meeting, then let everyone in attendance know you’re at home with the kids. That should cover any interruption. Even when you tell the kids about the call, there will still be battles over the remote and questions about lost toys!

Plan Activities That Don’t Need Supervision

There are a lot of things your kids can be doing that don’t require you to watch over them. For the little ones, naps should be part of the day. Toddlers can be set up with some online games or education shows on TV or online. Older kids can watch more education shows or an entire movie. These are the kinds of activities that can provide you with a solid hour or two to focus on your work assignments.

Set Boundaries

It will also help to set your work boundaries. This might mean a family meeting where you detail how the day needs to go. There will be school work assigned that can happen during the day as opposed to after dinner homework. If it is essential, then you can also establish a closed-door policy. When the door is closed it means knocking before coming in. Younger kids might need more patience because they think you being home is bonus time for play. As long as you set up the boundaries, everyone should be on the same page.

Everyone at Junk King Greater Philadelphia wants to support your efforts to be production during the shelter-in-place times. We have also adjusted our own policies so that we can continue to provide exception hauling services. When you’re ready to get rid of junk, Junk King will be ready for you.
Being productive at home takes communication with your employer and family. We’re all in this together.