Kids making it difficult for you to work from home? Here's 7 things you can do to maintain your credibility at work and home.
Now that the #pandemic is becoming more manageable and despite it's challenges you've decided you want to continue to #work #from #home. Unfortunately, the past year of constant interuptions, meltdowns and background chaos from your kids has compromised your #credibility and made for a pretty difficult petition to have with your boss.
If you're a #mom, you know all too well that kids don't want anything until you're on the phone, and the minute they realize you preoccupied they begin to show their (as my mother would say) fare @sses. Your #colleagues and #boss may initially find it funny but I promise you the humor is short lived after the 2nd or 3rd interruption. After all, how can you convince your colleagues, your boss and/or clients to take you seriously if your kids won’t? How can you take the lead on this #project if you’re having trouble leading your own household? These real time questions have real time consequences. Here's 7 things you can do to ensure your boss and colleageues don't lose confidence in you.
Finding a quiet dedicated #workspace is absolutely essential if you plan to maintain or in hindsight for some of you, salvage your #respect. If you live in an apartment consider scheduling a #meeting room. It's obviously not as convenient but it will allow you to be more #productive. For those of you lucky enough to have a home office but don't feel so lucky, you'll have to work harder to establish #boundaries. Here's a few things I suggest:
Lesson #1: Communicate
Just as you would expect your boss and co-workers to engage in clear, concise #communication it is equally as important for you to do the same with your children. Explain to them what you're doing, what you're asking them to do, why their cooperation is important to you and why it's important for them to comply as well as any #rewards and/or #consequences for their choices.
Lesson #2: Delegate
Every plane has a pilot and a co-pilot and it’s time to identify yours. Consider having an older child act in your stead and/or hire a teenager to #supervise your children’s activities especially during those very important meetings. In addition, maintain a back-up #sitter in the event your primary sitter is unavailable.
Lesson #3: Prepare
Make sure the kids have the basics: food/snacks, water/juice, toilet paper, and more importantly clear #instructions. Kids do better with a #schedule and so will you when it's time to hit the clock. Everything from virtual learning to chores and even snacks or naps should be addressed. Everyone has a job and everyone needs to do their job.
Lesson #4: Secure
Make sure they're safe; make sure your children understand the rules and/or boundaries that could put them in danger (e.g. operating a stove, leaving the house unattended, etc.), and while you're at it don't just stop there. If you've already told them, remind them again. Trust me, it's definitely worth a repeat. In addition, don't forget to remove sharp objects like scissors and knives, fire lighter sticks, household cleaners and prescription medications. More importantly, if your #home has a weapon - double check it daily that it's placed beyond reach and securely locked. Kids left unattended leave credence to the adage: an idle mind is a devils workshop. Kids are always watching us so you have to make sure you're watching them.
Lesson #5: Define
Emergency situations occur. Don’t assume they know what a real emergency is because mostly likely they don't. Not finding their favorite toy, misplacing their game controller or a cookie and ice cream request is what children deem to be important. Make sure you define an emergency (an injury, a fire, etc.) and let them know what you want them to do in those situations. Again, clear concise information is key and while they'll forget you said they couldn't have ice cream, they won't forget what matters most in a crisis.
Lesson #6: Remove & Replace
Remove and Replace, not be confused with Repeal and Replace, is exactly what it sounds like: eliminate the Noise Makers. You've probably spent a third of your #retirement investing in #educational #toys with the loudest quirky sounds, but if you want to continue making a 401k contribution you'd better spend a good portion of your daily morning routine removing them. Little Jimmie pushing his choo-choo train by your office door isn't technically violating the No Knock, No Entry Rule, but who can get anything done with that in the background? Not to mention those cute but annoying educational songs that get stuck in your head. Something's gotta be done.
REMOVE: Make it your #daily #job to collect all those expensive noise makers securing them in a place your kids will not have access to during business hours; and just in case you're wondering, their toy box is not a secure place. Oh, and while I'm on it don't forget to remove what I call the silent killer - the markers and non washable crayolas. Sure they have writing paper, but who wants to scrub down a wall after a hard day at the office.
REPLACE: Offering kids a more silent option that's equally as fun and entertaining is a game changer. My personal favorite? Books, puzzles, legos, cards - no mess, no stress. I would've suggested paper dolls, jacks or marbles but 2 out of 3 of these aren't safe for little ones so stick with the books.
Lesson #7 Close Door Meetings
Lastly, close and lock the door to your office. This idea may terrify some of you and for others it may seem like a simple fix, but it's not as scary as it sounds and it is quite frankly frequently overlooked. While it should go without saying that this lesson is contingent upon age appropriateness, it won't so here it goes: like all lessons in school or life it must be age appropriate and this my dears are no different. It is okay to close and lock the door to your office, but make sure your kids know the door will be closed and locked prior to you doing so and explain the appropriate way to reach you should they need your immediate attention.
No Kick -No Knock - No Entry Rule: Extplain to your little ones that it's not okay to kick or knock on the door, but rather it is okay to slide a note under the door, or perhaps if they're old enough to text or call and leave a message and that you'll return their call or text as soon as you possibly can.
Break It Up: Take occasional #breaks and schedule #lunch dates with your micro-minnies. Food is an excellent way to stay connected because it breaks up that extended time of exclusivity for them. Access and independence is very important for kids regardless of age, and if you don't believe me ask my mother about my 50+ year old adult sister who calls her at least 10 or more times a day (no exaggeration), but hey I digress.
Ultimately, no one knows your micro-minnies better than you so if Little Jimmy likes to play in the toilet or eat soap then modify the above accordingly. If you can't turn your back on Curious George at the kitchen sink then perhaps Lesson #7 is too soon right now. When it comes to your kids and your career err on the side of caution and as my mother would say "follow your first mind, it'll never lead you wrong". Maintaining your #credibility is equally as important as maintaining your sanity especially without feeling defeated and unproductive. And if all else fails, remember you can do all things through #Christ that strengthens you. You got this!
