Practical Tips for Working From Home With a Baby or Toddler

This is a guest post by Janice Russell from Parenting Disasters.

Figuring out how to work from home full-time is challenging enough. Add a baby or toddler to the mix, and it can get super stressful. We get what it’s like to juggle family and work and how tough that becomes when it’s all under one roof. Here’s a guide for how to stay sane while you get your footing:

Facilitate Guilt-Free Screen Time 

Screen usage with little ones is a topic of much debate, but most pediatricians will recommend no screen time until your child is 18 months old. However, there’s an exception to this rule: video chat. If the person on your little one's screen can see her and interact with her, then you’re providing a legitimately stimulating, enriching experience. 

So how can you use this to manage while working from home? Coordinate with grandparents and friends or hire a pro to set up virtual babysitting sessions. Put your child in a highchair or baby swing with a video chat session up in front of them. Although you’ll still need to be in the room to supervise, the friend or family member on the other line can hold your little one’s attention long enough for you to finish up a report or answer an email.

The catch to this plan: you might have to look into getting better WiFi. You need a decent connection to get work done while running any type of streaming video. If you live in a rural area, traditional internet hookups might just not cut it. LTE internet, which uses data, might be a good solution for you. 

Use Portable Safe Zones

The nature of working with a little one around is that you just can’t be as hands-on with them. This can trigger a lot of guilt, but it’s okay – you’ll still get plenty of time snuggling, cuddling, and playing with your baby during your time off and between tasks. It’s perfectly fine to find ways to keep them happy and occupied independently while you do some work. 

For new babies, you can look into portable mini cribs. This allows you to set your little one down to nap right next to you while you knock out your workday. This is particularly useful for children who need company to fall asleep or who are experiencing sleep regression. The comfort your presence brings is often enough to lull them into a peaceful slumber. 

Once they’re a little older, consider setting up a playard in your office. This is a simple little structure that gives your child room to wiggle, giggle, and play in a safe, controlled environment. You’ll know they can’t get into anything dangerous, and they’ll have the freedom to explore, discover their toys, and look out at the world beyond the playard. 

Foster Independent Play 

Working parents feel a lot of guilt for not being able to interact with their children 100% of the time, but you don’t need to. Not only is it perfectly okay for your child to have time to himself, it’s actually really good for him. Studies have shown that children who learn to play independently have better outcomes in nearly all measures of success as they age. They’re more confident, better at assessing risks, and often have an easier time learning. 

The reason for this is simple – practice! So in that spirit, help your little one build up their independent play skills. Early on, they may not be able to handle playing solo for more than a few minutes at a time. Let them set the pace by giving them opportunities to play alone, but joining in if they show signs of needing you. Gradually, you’ll find they can go longer and longer without your intervention. 

Working from home with young children can be a challenge, but it’s easier with the right tools and plenty of practice. Give yourself time to adjust, and go easy on yourself early on. If you can negotiate a lighter workload or a flexible schedule, take it. Figure out the methods that let your family thrive! 

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Photo Credit: Pexels

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