how to work from home with kids

I wrote a comical post about this last year, but really, I get asked this question a lot: How do you work from home with kids?

It definitely seems that companies are finding the value in giving employees a work-from-home option. I assume they figured out that work-from-home employees are constantly plugged in. Our hours are not 9 to 5 but from the time we wake to the time we go to sleep.

There are certain limitations for each person, when it comes to working from home, but there are LOTS of limitations of working from home with kids. I have been working from home since 2012, about 2 months before my oldest was born, and I have some tips for those of you looking to make it work.

My work from home credentials:  I have two small children ages 3 and almost 2. I work on average 40 hours a week. Some weeks are a little less, some weeks are a lot more. I have a small accounting business of my own and I am the lead accountant for another company about 2 hours away. My kids have never been to day care, and I only pay for babysitters when it is date night. There is a "Kids Corner" at the local rec center that I can utilize, but I have to remain onsite, and I have only used this once for work purposes. I navigated working from with newborns, babies, toddlers, 2 under 2, and every milestone in between.

Schedule time to work.

The most difficult part of working from home with kids, is finding the time to get your job done. First you have to set a schedule.  Not some loose guideline to follow if you feel like it. I mean REALLY SET A SCHEDULE. Figure out the best times to work and stick to it. This allows your boss, or clients, to know when you are available for phone conversations and important email follow ups.

Regular daytime hours are a must for conducting business, even if it's only 1-2 hours per day.

My business hours are from 1:30 - 3:30 mountain time, every single day. Occasionally I have an afternoon off on a Saturday or Sunday if we go out of town, otherwise I adhere to these hours daily, including weekends. What do I do with my kids? The 1 year old takes a nap, the 3 year old has quiet time. NO EXCEPTIONS. I have a special alarm clock that glows when the 3 year old can come out of the room. She knows I am working and is content to play in her room with some toddler tunes and a box of toys. (More info on Quiet Time Boxes here.)

I know you are shaking your heads... my kids won't stay in the room while I work. True, if they aren't used to having to stay put they will probably cry and complain, but having a fresh box of toys from the rotation, a snack, and some fun stories to listen to will help keep them content. It will probably take some time for them to get used to it, but they will. Have something special planned each day to reconnect with them after the time is over. Read a book together, go on a walk, color, whatever they enjoy doing. If they know they get your attention after, they will be a lot more compliant.

Obviously 2 hours per day is certainly not enough to get everything accomplished. You will need to schedule work into your nights or mornings (sometimes both). I work from the time my kids go to bed (7pm) until I go to bed (10pm usually). This is every night, including weekends. Occasionally we get a babysitter and I take a night off, but I am probably doing double time the next day.

When you have extra projects it's important to have extra time worked into your schedule. Maybe this is a partner, or family member, relieving you so you can get some extra work done, or maybe it's some extra TV time. This will depend on your kids age, attention span, and your personal parenting style.

The beginning of the month is extremely busy for me, so there is extra TV time, maybe some educational apps on the ipad, and Dad might care for them after quiet time for an hour or two. Whatever you can do, do it.

Schedule time with your Kids.
So you have figured out when you can work.  Now you have to carve out some special time every day to be interactive with the kids. This will help you balance work with home.

Each weekend I try and figure out a theme for week. I look through pinterest and instagram and find some crafts or printables for us to tackle. If I can't come up with anything we have a whole box filled with "school" stuff: Logic games, workbooks, mazes, dry-erase books, puzzles, etc.

My maniacal smile after 2 straight hours
of laminating on Sunday afternoon.
No... this is not fun for me.

This may seem like too much, and sometimes it is, but you will find that if you have something planned it really makes the day go by so much easier. Even when the activity planned goes to hell, at least you tried. It really keeps the parent guilt at bay.

It is fun for them and helps keep us focused.
Free Easter printables from www.overthebigmoon.com.

Schedule time away from the House.
This is SUPER important. At some point the house WILL become your enemy. You have to book some time away to talk to other people. I recommend putting your kids in some fun classes. We have a rec center here that has all kinds of amazing classes for all ages. My youngest is in tumbling, my oldest is in a cooking class, gymnastics, and ballet.

Since Kenzie is 3, she has classes that I don't have to participate in. This is awesome for several reasons:

1. She learns instruction from someone else. It's one thing to not pay attention to me, but getting in trouble from a teacher is a big lesson in learning.
2. I get to hang out one-on-one with the youngest. It's so much easier running errands with one kid and errands = play to a one year old. It's a win-win.
3. If needed I can get a few extra hours of work in per week. I can let Ketcher play while I work, or put him in Kids Corner and tackle a phone call or webinar.

Running errands while big
sister is in class.

The "Do Not" List:
There are important items NOT to do while working from home with kids.

• Don't take on too much work or you will feel like you are failing on all levels.
• Don't try and work while your kids are running around. This isn't fair to you, your kids, or your business.
• Don't try to check your phone/email/etc. constantly. If I am in the kitchen prepping food for snacks or meals I will check through my emails and if necessary, take care of the ones that really need attention. 98% can wait until my designated working hours.
• Do not stress if you are new at this and your boss doesn't seem to be cool with it. Eventually you both will get to a level of comfort and it will all work out.

Put your schedule together and stick to it.
Having a schedule is good for you and definitely good for your kids. Figure out what works for your family and know your limits.

Here is a look at my schedule:

7am-8am Breakfast
8am-9am Get dressed
9am-12pm Crafts, activities, or classes (kid focused time)
12pm-1:30pm Clean-up & lunch with daddy
1:30pm-3:30pm Kids nap/quiet time  //  Work
3:30-4:30pm Run Errands or Outdoor time - walks, bikes, stroller rides (weather permitting)
4:30-5pm kid dinner
5-6pm TV time // Mom cooks adult dinner
6-7pm bath/bedtime
7-10pm Work

Working from home can make you feel lonely like a stay-at-home, guilty like a work-outside-of-home, and immensely stressed. Cut yourself lots of slack and make sure you are taking care of yourself. If all else fails, just be glad you don't also have a blog to keep up with.

Have more tips? Please let me know! If this was helpful to you, or someone you might know, please share. As always, thank you for reading!

#workfromhome #workingfromhome #parenting #WFH

A Mom's Guide to Losing the Baby Weight

Need to lose the rest of that baby weight?  Me too. So let's do it together, before the holidays and the new years resolutions, that by March, have been long forgotten.

Here's my 10 steps to get back in shape after baby.

Step 1: Go to target and buy some new workout gear.
What better way to get back in shape than to buy new gear? I know you still have the workout gear from the last time you "started" to work out... but this time... this time you will follow through. Buy black so you already feel skinnier as soon as you put it on.

These hot pink skorts will NOT be flattering. Steer clear!

 Step 2: When you get up in the morning put on new workout gear.
Let's face it, if you don't have time for a workout, then taking time out to change your clothes doesn't fit in your schedule either. Put on workout shoes as well. Tie hair back in the exact same ponytail you wear every day. 

Step 3: Use a workout that works for you.
Not every workout is created equally for every body. You need to know what works for you. Some people thrive off cardio, some love yoga and pilates. Do what you love to do and do it often. I love weights... anything that makes me feel like I have been beaten up for 2 days, after I work, out is a win in my book. 

Step 4: Do your workout first thing in the morning... or at least at your first morning break.
There are a slim few of us that can tolerate anything after work, most of all a workout. So get up early and do it. You don't need a gym to work out. A fitness magazine and some free weights do the trick or use daily burn, sparkpeople, or a zillion other resources found for free online. Do it before the kids are up, or do it with the kids... whatever, just get it done.

Step 5: Have your healthy menu for the week already planned out.
80% of how your body looks is what you eat, so no more leftover mac and cheese, grilled cheese, cheese sticks... or the other cheesey variations of food you feed your toddler.  Stick to high veggie, high protein diets with whole grains and low dairy. Have to have something sweet after your meals? Stick to fruit. No more soda. Eek! I love cherry coke. <Sigh> Eat small meals often and never let yourself get hungry... ever!

 Step 6: Eat by the clock.
Eat just like your baby does... every 3 hours.  7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, & 7pm.  If you eat that much I guarantee your metabolism will be running on high all day and you won't end up at the pantry scrounging for that one mystery food that will fill your bottomless hunger.

Yup there it is... in between the Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the Ramon Noodles

Step 7: Water. Drink it.
This is just a simple step that is easy to overlook. Already drink water? Drink more of it. Non-water drinks have calories and they add up... fast! So put down that glass of wine and guzzle some water. Once you reach your proper weight you can add that nightly drink back to the menu.

Step 8: Pack your lunch just like your kids.
This is no joke. If you eat out, you are eating crap. Even the salad that you get at lunch has extra cheese, croutons, and dressing. What's that? Oh you get it without cheese and dressing on the side? Well guess what? That dressing has extra fat and calories compared to the kind you buy and measure out at home. Extra points for making your own dressing! Yes this will require a little more planning and work on your part, but it is a new project and for once that project is you.

This photo makes it look so easy right?

Step 9:  Don't get stale.
Don't get complacent. It is super easy to master that workout dvd and then keep doing it without pain. So once you can get through your workouts without breaks or pain, step it up, mix it up, and keep challenging yourself.  Just think if you make it that far you get to make ANOTHER trip to target for a new dvd, bigger weights, more workout clothes, and probably a new water bottle that you definitely don't need but surely deserve.

Step 10: Blog about it.
Put yourself in a position so that when all your friends ask you about your weight loss efforts you don't have to shrug and go stuff your mouth full of mexican burrito to suppress your guilt. You can stand proud and show off your guns.

I bet you looked down at your keyboard just a minute ago, didn't you? 

 My goal right now is simply to get back to where I started before my two babies. I have much loftier goals after I achieve this, so let the journey (i.e. pain) begin!!!

... and for those of you thinking yeah, yeah, get off your high and mighty workout horse: I have been sitting in my new workout gear since 7am and it is now 2:03pm and I haven't worked out and I am about to eat some ramon noodles. So yes, I wrote this post in the hopes that I will get my ass in gear.

Ugh... I hate myself right now.

**Update since that last paragraph, I did actually do my workout finally at 4:50pm. Day 1 finished!

Have ideas, tips, or some inspiration? Are you eating ramon noodles right now too? Please share your comments and ideas with me. I need as much motivation as I can get! Let me know by commenting below or on facebook.