Balancing remote work with childcare is tough. I’ve been working from home since the pandemic when my oldest was born. Sure I’ve had some help from family, but there’s nothing like hearing “Mom” a billion times a day when you’re trying to get something done. After lots of adjustments (both with my expectations and our systems), I’ve learned you can carve out productive time while keeping your little ones safe, occupied and happy.
Turn Chores into a Game
Create a chore-to-screen-time exchange: your child earns screen time by completing small tasks—pick up toys, read a book, finish a puzzle, etc. I’ve been using a light game that I created to track tasks and provide a visual of when her reward (TV time) is near. Not only does this limit screen time, but it also encourages independence, routine and allows her to practice time management.
Meal Prep for Parent and Child
Nothing worse than scrambling for food when you’re trying to get ready for a meeting and your child keeps asking for a snack. Prep everyone’s food in the morning (or night before) for the entire day by dedicating a snack box with their go-to treats. I like to prepare overnight oats with some protein powder that I can grab at a moment’s notice and fill myself up for a few hours.
- Sandwiches cut into bite-size pieces
- Pre-portioned snacks (apple slices, cheese, crackers)
This empowers your child to grab what they need—saving you from constant interruptions during critical work moments.
Use Timers Strategically
A visual kitchen timer can be your secret weapon:
- Set limits for screen time or TV
- Use it for “wait time” so your child learns to wait until you’re done. When she’s getting frustrated that I can’t play at the moment, the visual timer helps to give her an endpoint she can look forward to.
Timers build structure, and research shows they help children understand time better while reducing daily conflicts. This one has been very helpful.
Create Safe Play Stations
Set up multiple kid-safe stations around your workspace and home—each stocked with toys, books, puzzles, or art supplies. Rotate the items to maintain novelty, giving your child engaging activities that don’t require your constant attention.
I work from a laptop and my cell phone. It’s nice to have a home base in the office where my daughter’s can play, but I also need to be mobile around the house to accommodate their needs.
Bonus Tips
Avoid starting the day with screens so kids stay creative and calm. I’ll setup her light game to include things like getting dressed, making her bed and other morning chores before she gets any TV time.
Bundling screen time into focused windows (e.g., snack + screen after lunch) can help reduce constant requests, as well as creating a consistent routine/rhythm to the day.
Final Thought
By gamifying chores, pre-prepping snacks, using timers, and giving your child safe play zones, you can gain some uninterrupted work time, while your child gains independence and routine. Now I can’t promise that you’ll get that project completed, or have an uninterrupted Zoom meeting, but it’s definitely a start!
Not everyone is blessed to work from home, so I make sure to stop and look around at the positives that come with this, even though it can be so frustrating and challenging at times. If anything, I remember to be grateful that I have such an understanding employer and get to be around for my children’s milestones while I’m working.
