The 5 C’s of Working From Home With Kids During COVID19

As a business owner and writer, I have long been accustomed to working from home. My plan, however, never included having my husband and 4 small children underfoot 24/7. 

We’ve been in quarantine for a couple of months now to help slow the spread of COVID19. I’ve had to adjust my plan to the reality of our new circumstances; countless families have had to do the same. And for the families who have never worked from home before, this is truly a whole new world. 

Working from home is a challenge in itself but now many of us are also expected to manage our career, homeschool our children, be a full-time nanny/chef/housekeeper, etc. 

The best-laid plans can go you-know-where in a hand-basket but “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail…” so let’s get started!

THE 5 C’S OF WORKING FROM HOME WITH KIDS DURING COVID19

1. COMMUNICATE.

   We all know communication is important but I can’t emphasize enough the importance of keeping your boss and co-workers in the loop of what you’re working on. This will make all the difference in mitigating unreasonable expectations and in putting everyone’s mind at ease.
   
   Make sure that when you are on conference calls and phone calls that the people on the other end know you’re working from home. This simple step will alleviate the stress in case your kiddos run in unexpectedly during your call (Have you seen the BBC interview that circulated a few years ago?).
   
   Remember to communicate with the people who live under your roof! If it’s important that you’re not interrupted, make sure they know! Even something as simple as a daily schedule or posting a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door can do the trick. 

2. CREATE.

   Straight talk: It’s up to us to create the environment that we want in our homes. Things may not always play out how we planned but we need to create the framework. What does that mean?  In short: be intentional. 
   
   – Write out your “perfect day” so you know what you are aiming for. This doesn’t mean we are aiming for perfection. It just means that we have put thought into creating a functional flow under our roof. 
   – Have a list of activities for your kids that they can turn to (even if one of these activities is “free play”)
   – Create spaces that work for this new reality. It’s ok to have a makeshift space for a week or so. But when there’s an extended need for a designated workspace, don’t neglect to create it as best you can with what you have. It’s a game-changer.

   

3. CALENDAR.

   Prioritize the things that you must get done for yourself and plan to have the kids doing whatever is most engaging for them at this time. For me, it may mean putting on a movie because they are least likely to break out into a brawl or make a huge mess.

   Make sure your kids know when they will have access to you. It is important that there are blocks of time dedicated to them, whether that is for schoolwork or play. 

4. COVERAGE.

   If you’re married, your spouse is likely home with you during this time… and if you’re like me, “quiet space to work” is a hot commodity that isn’t easy to come by.
   
   A friend of mine and her husband, who are both attorneys, have come up with “shift work” where they take turns working in blocks of time while the other watches the kids.
   
   If you’re a single parent or a parent whose spouse can’t help because they are working outside the home, it goes back to our first “C”- clearly communicate expectations to both your kids, your employer and/or your clients.  In reality, this cannot be accomplished without some flexibility from everyone involved.
   

5. COMPENSATE.

   Sommmme people might call this bribery… but it’s helpful to have a reward system in place. Children have this in school, in some form or another, and there’s a good reason for it. Decide what’s important to your family. Communicate it (a visible chart or list can make this easier, especially for younger kids), and follow-through with your positive reinforcement. 

Don’t take the weight of the world onto your shoulders, especially during this time.  You can raise your babies and raise your business, even when unexpected circumstances arise. I hope these tips are helpful as you navigate your new normal.