It’s really not easy to work from home, particularly if you are a mother. Douglas suggests that it is oftentimes possible to get distracted between meeting a deadline, and handling household chores. However, with a few workable measures you can come up with a workable formula that can enable one to devote time for work as well as spend time with the family. Here’s how as a mom one can avoid distractions while working from home.
How to Cut Down Work-from-Home Distractions as a Mom?
1. Set Clear Boundaries
Develop a clear work and family separation of time. Inform your partner and children about your working schedule so that they know which hours you’ll be unavailable. Such a mild statement, for instance, as “Mommy will be working up to 3 PM” will set the pace for the day. Shutting off your notifications is a good option.
To give yourself a sign that you are at work, ensure to work in a certain section, and close the door if you are in a private workstation. When on a call or thinking hard, try and use a sign or a light to signal to other members of the household that you are occupied.
2. Create a Dedicated Workspace
That is why most freelancers have their own desk as it really aids in avoiding distractions. It doesn’t matter if there isn’t a spare room to do this – get a corner with a desk and chair. It’s better to organize your environment and maintain your proper desk and tools to minimize interruptions during work.
Keep it closed during working days especially when children below the age of standard recommended development might easily access it. Kaizen suggested that parents should tell them to go and play or do something in other parts of the house.
3. Plan Your Day Strategically
Begin a day with a list of activities that must be done with a clear distinction as to which task has to be accomplished first. While children are napping or playing, it helps to find high-focusing periods to work through complicated projects.
Divide your working day into parts, switching with working and spending time with children. For instance, write 45 minutes of uninterrupted work and then 15 minutes to ask, ‘How are the kids?’ Using a time tracking app like Controlio is a good option.
4. Use Technology Wisely
This is the time that technology can come in handy to help you keep your kids amused while you get on with your business. Having educational apps on a tablet or a smartphone or playing a story during work or games can be a lifesaver at meetings or during a very limited time.
Limit the device’s use and spend time turning the screen off with other occupations, such as fitting or puzzles, coloring, or craftworks.
5. Engage Your Support System
Never feel embarrassed to seek anyone’s assistance. When you are out of work, or simply have no energy to cook, having someone around to take care of the children for a few hours is a blessing no matter whether it is your partner, a family member or a neighbor.
Otherwise you should look for a babysitter who will help you with the child every now and then or a daycare where you can take your child for a few days during the week.
6. Adopt Flexible Working Schedule
Another advantage that has been realized with working from home is flexibility. If your employer permits it, you should try to work according to the time your family allows for work. For example, work early mornings or evenings when you realise most disturbances are unfit for the environment.
Share your schedule with your team so that everybody has a clue with regards to your expectations and the timeline.
7. Practice Self-Care
Self-care is highly important so that a person can concentrate and not feel stressed out. Plan or make arrangements to take some exercise, yoga or some activity that restores the life in you.
When a mom is well rested and well energized, she will be able to balance both work and family in a better way.
It therefore becomes the goal of this paper to show that it is possible to achieve work-life balance while working from home and being a mother at the same time. Hence, through placing limitations, designing a particular environment to work in, and employing such things as technologies, a reliable support system anyone can reduce the levels of interferences.
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