11 Ways You and Your Kids Will Rock Working from Home

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Friend, I have had the topic of working from home in my drafts for the past couple of months. I kept telling myself I needed to get to it. But seriously, WHO KNEW that this topic would be more appropriate now more than ever?

Wow!

Yes, we are in the midst of the Coronavirus self-quarantine stage. Each day is new, different, and to be honest, I just don’t know what to expect when I wake up.

I just heard today, that all the bars and restaurants in the state of Illinois and California are closing to the public as of Monday, 3/16/2020.

As things progress, we are all facing spending some time in our homes.

However, that doesn’t mean that work or school or life ceases… it just means we need to figure out another system.

There’s always another way.

I learned a long time ago that there is NOTHING sustained thought cannot overcome.

One of the biggest issues in life is that we do not allow ourselves enough time or enough “quiet” to actually… think.

I’ve been a stay at home mom for 16 years and have been running businesses out of my home for all of those years.

Along with raising 4 kids, I also homeschooled 2 of the kids while caring for a new baby for a couple of years.

I’m not saying I’m an expert on this topic but I have gone through a lot of trial and error which may help!

So here are 11 ways you and your kids can win by working at home

YOU: WORKING FROM HOME

TIP #1 ~ Set Alarm and Get Up!

There is so much temptation when it comes to working from home. You are in the comfort of your own home.

Comfort… that’s the problem for most of us. We are comfortable. When we are comfortable we don’t want to do anything.

Annnd there lies the problem.

For 16 years, I have had to have the mindset as I was going to bed that I was going to work the next morning. I would set my alarm, and not hit snooze.

I also developed the habit of getting up much earlier than I need to because of the silence of the house and a hot cup of coffee and totally worth it!

Try it sometime.

TIP#2 ~ Get Dressed as if you were Leaving for Work

Even on the days that my schedule was full of being home and watching my babies and toddlers… I still showered and dressed as if I were leaving.

Why?

Because there is just something about not being in your jammies with morning breath to help kick start your day!

There are days when all 4 kids are at school and my husband is out for the day… I still get up at 5:30 am, follow my morning routine, shower and get ready, and literally sit in an empty house all day as I’m working.

This is where discipline comes in. I set goals for myself so I don’t get lazy and distracted.

TIP #3 ~ Designate a Space

Whether it’s a desk, kitchen counter or dining room table, claim a spot and make it yours.

Set it up to be what you need it to be.

A computer or laptop? Set it up.

Have you seen these awesome Chromebooks? My kids have used them at school for years and now each has saved their money to purchase their own. They are great and super affordable.

Touchscreen, convertible, it has everything they need. Heck, I’m typing on one of my son’s Chromebooks right now!

Here’s what they use:

Of course, we all want corner offices with windows to overlook beautiful scenery but for most of us, that’s not the case.

Put a little plant up, real or fake, no judgment here. ( I cannot keep plants alive for anything!)

Put pictures up, inspirational quotes, whatever you want.

It’s your space, make it yours.

TIP #4 ~ Everything Prepared the Night Before

To be most effective and productive, plan out everything the night before.

I cover this in my Time Management post here.

For real, I put tons of tips that have helped me over all these years in that post. That information is something I wish I had early on!

TIP #5 ~ Take Scheduled Breaks

Just as you would if you were at work. Your brain needs a break in order to get the best out of it.

Get up, walk around, get some fresh air, and just breathe.

TIP #6 ~ Turn off All Distractions

A story from Forbes. com start with:

“In early July 1992, Bill Gates Sr. invited some guests over for dinner. The diners that evening included his son Bill Gates Jr, the founder of Microsoft, and Warren Buffett. These were two of the most successful men in the world, who, for many years, had taken it in turns to top the Forbes World’s Billionaires list. The host asked his dinner guests,

What factor do you feel has been the most important in getting to where you’ve gotten in life?

Buffett immediately replied, “Focus.”

Bill Gates Jr. agreed.

Forbes.com

If two of the wealthiest and most successful people in the world immediately replied and agreed that FOCUS is the most important factor in their success… we should probably pay a little more attention to it.

In today’s world, everything is vying for our attention… especially that little device that is constantly in our hands or very close by.

The constant disruption and distraction it provides and the social scroll we feel we must do… all day.

It is no wonder we can’t get anything done.

For a much more in-depth look at Social Media addiction read this post.

It covers everything I’ve learned about being effective and productive with the greatest gift we’ve been given… time.

KIDS: WORKING FROM HOME

TIP #1 ~ Get them up at the normal wake time

Alarms are still set for normal school time. The mindset for homeschooling is to keep your day planned and scheduled as if they were going to school.

Whatever their normal routine is on a school day, is the normal routine for homeschooling.

TIP #2 ~ Stay on schedule with their classes

Whether your kids are doing live online classes with their or school on their own, they need a schedule. This is incredibly important.

I put together a simple weekly planner where you can download, print, fill out and hang up.

Be sure to grab the FREE Downloadable Class Scheduler at the end of this post!

TIP #3 ~ Eat lunch together

This will be one of the most precious parts of working from home together.

Plan your lunches ahead of time.

Use a meal planning sheet, let them help you pick out the menu for the week.

Then cook and prepare it together. Make it fun!

TIP #4 ~ Get outside!

If possible.

I know it’s March and in the north, it’s not exactly balmy yet. So if you can get outside to get some fresh air – DO IT!

There were many times, even on a cold day, that my boys would be getting major cabin fever during our school day.

I would stop the lesson and get them bundled up. We would head outside and I would tell them to run around, back and forth, until I said stop. This would go on for several minutes.

They would run and laugh and tackle each other… all things boys want to do, anyway.

We would head back inside and refocus on our work.

Taking a break and breather is good for EVERYONE!

Plus, exercise and fresh air always make bedtime a bit easier. 😉

TIP #5 ~ Get to bed at normal school night bedtime.

Do your normal bedtime routine. Keep things as normal as possible. They are still doing school, you are still doing work, just in a different location for the time being.

TIP: Like you… have an established spot that is setup for them. Have them make it their own, just like you. Make it distraction free and somewhere they can focus and work.

Each night before bed, have them organize and write out their schedule, pull out their necessary books and items needed for the first subject.

I also like to plan out what’s for breakfast the night before as well. If it’s cereal, we pull out the bowls, spoons, and their preferred brand. This helps cut down on the time of deciding and basic morning confusion. We know exactly what to expect to eat and what work to do as soon as we wake up in the morning.

Talk about positive things before they fall asleep.

The topic of fear and being fearful do not belong in our home. We only speak positive and victory in our house and over our children.

They crave that, it brings them so much peace.

You want to keep these next several weeks as normal and predictable as possible during this very unpredictable time.

Your kids are counting on you for stability and assurance that everything is going to be fine.

And you know what, dear friend? Everything IS going to be fine.

I believe that.

So tell me, friend, what are you doing as you transition either yourself and/or your kids for working from home? I’d love to hear!

Praying for you and your family.

xoxo,

Mo

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