Comments on: Working from Home With Children

By: Experimentalmum

Experimentalmum — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:10:40 +0000

Really like the Timer Idea, might help keep me more focussed too!

By: Family Friendly Working Blog » Blog Archive » Advice on Working From Home

Tue, 19 May 2009 09:40:01 +0000

[...] Modern Media Mum has written a great article about working from home when you have kids around. I’ve been doing this for seven years now, and it is easier at [...]

By: Laurie/MobileMommy

Laurie/MobileMommy — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:02:32 +0000

I have been working from home with 3 kids (oldest is in school full-time) since last fall. In the startup phase of my biz it has worked out okay, lots of time to take breaks BUT I'm getting busier and busier and realize I'm going to need some form of childcare help by fall. Middle child going to kindy then so hopefully can find some help 2-3 mornings/days per week for littlest!

By: Tina McAllister

Tina McAllister — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:50:38 +0000

I have my mom watch my son two days a week (this will be unnecessary this Fall when he enters Kindergarten). They both love to spend the time together. So that gives me two days in which I have hours to myself – no kid interruptions.
When he is home, I try to juggle spending time with him (playing, doing a craft – we like painting on canvas, watching a movie) and working. Some times I set up "base camp" on my bed. I work with my laptop in bed and he has a bunch of toys, paper and crayons, etc. So we hang out together while I'm working. Other times he may play in the other room and I will call him in the room from time to time to help out on "spy missions" and "business work" because he loves to feel like he's helping out.
His dad also works from home and there, he has a huge u-shaped desk area set up with an extra laptop. Our son will watch kid-friendly youtube videos and listen to music on the additional laptop while hanging out with daddy and "helping him with work."
Obviously, this won't work with the really young ones, but it works when they are 3 and up…

By: karpo

karpo — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:59:23 +0000

Having those few hours a week set aside – when there are no interruptions can really help keep you productive!

By: Hope Blackman

Hope Blackman — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:16:45 +0000

This is great!! I work from home and have a 5-month old. I have been thinking about asking my cousin to keep my daughter for a few hours one morning so I can make phone calls, thankfully my boss schedules calls for times when the kids are napping. Thanks for this post!!

By: karpo

karpo — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:22:53 +0000

I love that my kids can play near me while I work too. I have a Little Tykes table set up near my desk and they sometimes play office. It's so funny watching my three old because I get a sense of how he sees me when I work!!

By: karpo

karpo — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:20:57 +0000

I sometimes find myself scrambling for those moments too.

By: Laryssa Herbert

Laryssa Herbert — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:18:37 +0000

Thank you for these great reminders! I needed to hear this the most: "And most importantly, don’t forget to stop and play." Thanks!

As an artist I'm able to do most of my work why my kids play in the room with me. I also work while they are asleep or napping. Since I sell my work online, I can be home with them instead of traveling around to galleries or stores. It's great!

By: Jo-Lynne

Jo-Lynne — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:08:57 +0000

It's a challenge, for sure! I just try to grab time when and where I can get it.