How to Switch from “Work” Mode to “Parent” Mode While Working From Home

For your own sanity, do your best to maintain a boundary between job expectations and family expectations.

Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

Like most parents, I become profoundly irritated when my kids interrupt me 9,000 times while trying to work. It seems like the dream to be able to work from home while the children play in their rooms.

In reality, the kids are rarely playing in their rooms and are instead flocking to my computer screen like moths to a flame. If I don’t bribe them with their own screen time, they are trying to steal mine.

Don’t get me wrong, I love working from home. I am an introvert and prefer silence to chaos, my quiet couch to a busy desk.

But when the kids are home from school, my work becomes an exercise in futility unless I lock myself in my bedroom to free myself from their persistent noise.

Now, I do my very best to keep “work” mom and “mom” mom separate. I work while the kids are at school and spend time with them when they are home as much as possible.

It’s a balance that doesn’t always work, but I have learned (the hard way) how to switch between working and playing without sacrificing my career or my kids.

If you find yourself stressed when the kids encroach upon your work time or you have a difficult time switching from one mode to the other, try these tips to re-organize your mind and time.

Set a consistent schedule…and stick to it.

I have a part-time editing gig and also do some freelance writing. My kids are only at school for 29 hours a week, so I have a limited amount of time to ensure I work my committed hours.

Now I schedule my work hours into my calendar, and I do my very best to stick to the schedule. The hours are scheduled a week ahead of time to allow me flexibility in organizing work hours around school events and afterschool activities.

Knowing when you will close the computer and walk away will help keep you honest about you are spending your time. It also helps your kids keep the hours straight as they know when to expect you will be in…