Now that working from home is more common than ever, plenty of parents are struggling to find a balance with little ones under foot. You have certain things you must accomplish for your job, yet with babies, toddlers, and children that haven’t yet started preschool, or on summer vacation, it’s hard for them to understand why they can’t have your undivided attention.
No parent wants to plop their child down in front of the TV or hand them a device for 8 hours a day. However, you need to keep them busy so you can get things done. Fortunately, these 5 tips will help you keep them entertained while you’re working from home so that everyone is happy.
1. Create proper spaces for play
Not everyone has the advantage of owning a sprawling estate, but you can create a designated play area that your kids can use while you work. By separating the space and making it special, perhaps letting them have some input on where things go, your kids will love having their own area for dumping out those blocks, trucks, dolls, games, and other things.
2. Make time for playtime
Of course, that space won’t be a magical cure-all for your kids who wants you by their side. Little ones have a short attention span, so use it to your advantage. Schedule a time to play with them and stick to it. It doesn’t need to be long, perhaps 10 to 15 minutes. Color with them, play a game, or anything else you choose. Then head back to your work duties. Your kids will be thrilled they got to play with you and it will satisfy their need for your attention.
3. Create a craft bin
Crafts are a great way to entertain the kids while you work. They’ll forget they’re cooped up in the house and make some great things that you can use to decorate your home office space. You can get cheap supplies at the dollar store and stick them in the bin. Glitter, glue, crayons, feathers, cotton balls, and even old magazines are great additions for your craft bin. For really little ones, make sure you only put safe objects in there and set them up with the craft first, like coloring a picture for you, before getting back to your desk.
4. Devise a scavenger hunt
Think of things you have around the house and build a list for a scavenger hunt. Your kids can search independently or work together to find all these things. If you really want to motivate them, have a prize waiting for them when they finish, like cookies or the chance to earn a little more playtime with you later in the day.
5. Build a couch fort
Think back to your own childhood and remember those special moments made from ordinary things. A couch fort is one of many wonderful ideas you can use to entertain your kids while you work with basic things in your home. You can even teach them how to set it up so they will always have this skill and build a couch fort on their own.
Naturally, your kids will also want to get some screen time in, which is perfectly fine in moderation. It could even be the reward for finding everything on that scavenger hunt list. By rotating through these ideas, you’ll find your workdays at home are more productive and your children are entertained and content.
