Previously I stated NOT to attempt to care for children while working from home – at least young children anyway, however with COVID-19 causing school closures many people have no choice. As such here are some tips to try to help:

Timetable – everyone needs structure, especially in these confusing times. Kids like knowing that fun things are coming, and the timetable should include work time and children time. Make it super clear and fun to look at for kids, to keep them engaged. Give each child their own copy or get them to draw/enhance it themselves.

Plan – similar to above, but get a jump on the day by having your timetable and events ready. Don’t worry about repeating activities that are easy and work well. Do them every other day – kids love to get better at something.

Outside– try to do some outside activities. You’ll find when kids come back in they are quieter and calmer – a chance to get some work done.

Focus – don’t kill yourself cooking complex meals and fitting in household chores as well. Focus on what is important and hopefully you can catch-up later, maybe with some help from your spouse. Of course you can make meal preparation and cleaning up an activity for kids to help with too – although my experience says that can be hard to achieve!

Simple Activities – don’t try too much that will be complex, messy and hard. Keep things simple with coloring, drawing, crafting, lego, board games and the like. Throw in a few short TV shows (i.e. work opportunities), some cooking (simple), story time, and before you know it your timetable is done. Rearrange it for tomorrow with a few different things and that is another day ready. Repeat, reuse, recycle.

Simple Work – similarly try to keep what you plan to accomplish at work sensible too. If you think you’ll have 15-20 minute bursts of quiet then chunk complex tasks into that. If you’re always on-hand then do shorter ad-hoc tasks like email. Match you tasks to the kids needs, so they do not conflict.

Be Positive – remember you’re doing much more than anyone is normally capable of. Your boss should give you a break at this exceptional time, and try to look at what you ARE doing and not what you are not. Be honest, open, and just be proud of yourself. Kids are much better behaved when everything feels happy!