Entertaining Children While Working From Home

Working is hard. Parenting is hard. Parenting and working at the same time? Sometimes it’s pure madness. Before my baby was born, I managed my workload effortlessly. My three-year old spent the majority of her day at preschool, and the house was silent. Things seemed pretty simple. Though I still occasionally felt like there just wasn’t enough time in the day, it seemed consistent with the motherhood I’ve grown to know.

Once the new baby came along, things were different by still manageable. I worked my schedule around my baby, and my oldest attended preschool and daycare. Life moved on, and I found my groove. But when I became a small business owner, life changed overnight. I no longer had the luxury of clocking out, or being “unavailable” at certain times.

I now work at home—with both my children. How do I manage?

Lots of flexibility, patience, and multi-tasking.

I wake up around 4:45 a.m. to work out. I either walk a few miles, or I head up the street to Power Hour at Title Boxing. When I start the day with exercise, I am able to have a clear mind, and I feel refreshed by the time the girls wake up.

Lately we’ve been hanging out in the garage. I plug in my laptop and accomplish some work while my five-year old plays in the driveway. She rides her bike and scooter, plays with pennies, and draws with chalk—all before noon. The baby sleeps well outside, too, for much longer periods than she does indoors.

Taking the time to multi-task and keep them entertained in the morning allows me to be more flexible with the remainder of the day. If I’m lucky, I’ve completed most of my work by noon. I then fit in bits and pieces that aren’t as urgent throughout the day until my husband comes home from work. I cook. I clean. I sit down and eat dinner with my family. And oftentimes I work until the wee hours of the morning, only to wake up bright and early to do it all over again.

It’s exhausting.

It’s stressful.

I love it.

I get to grow my very own business, while spending as much time as possible watching my little ones grow. I wouldn’t change a thing! How do you entertain your kids when you need to get things done?