Best Survival Tips for Remote Work with Babies at Home

Updated: Apr 29, 2022

Working parents already experience unique challenges, and remote work has added another layer of complexity to the equation. Addressing a full workload while entertaining and caring for a baby or toddler can feel like an adventure every single day. But there are some ways you can make things easier.

Forget Business Casual

Unless you’re directly in front of your remote team in a Zoom conference every day, being flexible with your wardrobe is ideal – especially if you regularly bottle-feeding an infant or toddler. Comfortable clothing items are a must, including comfortable joggers, a henley, a hoodie, and even a chambray or flannel shirt.

Just make sure you schedule meetings that require real pants far in advance. And on that same note, aim to keep your little ones from wandering through the shot by separating your work area from the rest of the house. Adjusting your camera (preferably at a standing desk) can also cut your mischievous toddler out of the frame.

Implement a Routine

No baby or toddler follows a strict schedule, but a routine – or a pattern for doing things – can help keep your day organized. Taking your little one’s lead is probably the best bet, as their natural nap times and snack times can help shape your day.

As Today’s Parent explains, babies have varying sleep needs through each stage of development. For the first few weeks, your newborn will eat and sleep, and not much else. But toddlers usually drop their naps down to around three hours. Observe your baby’s habits and then work your professional responsibilities around that model.

You can also use your routine to pick the best times for work projects or conference calls. For example, if your toddler often has snack time after their nap, that may be the perfect time to catch up on emails. Maybe you permit your toddler an episode or two of an educational show, which earns you at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted working time. Or, you might set aside working hours for when they’re fast asleep – just in case.

Schedule Time to Let off Steam

Work can be frustrating, to begin with, but try juggling your little one’s needs with your coworker’s demands, and things can go downhill fast. Plan for downtime so you can let off steam between conference calls or during nap time.

One excellent way to release stress and refocus is to exercise. Exercise burns off frustration, and it also creates endorphins, studies suggest, so it could boost your mood by quite a bit. Of course, heading out for a hike or just a walk around the neighborhood can be great for you and your little one. So whether you’re grabbing a run while your toddler sleeps, planning for a noon-day trek together, or sneaking in some strength training, make fitness a regular priority.

Look for Clean Home Hacks

When you’ve got a big project looming, a teething toddler, stacks of books and magazines about to topple over, toys underfoot, and clothing everywhere, it’s highly likely you’ll be seething with negative energy and close to having your own temper tantrum. All of this is understandable, and millions are facing it.

Don’t give in to the negativity! Be proactive, and take steps on the weekend to reorganize and declutter your home. Put away anything that doesn’t serve you, find storage solutions for toys, and scrub your house from top to bottom. With a clean, organized home, you’ll have an easier time navigating the terrible twos during end-of-month reporting.

Conclusion

Getting your work done with a baby on your hip and a toddler underfoot isn’t always easy. But with these ideas in mind, you can pull it off – without pulling your hair out. By keeping things casual, finding an outlet for pent-up energy and frustrations, and implementing a regular routine, you may even find that you’re ahead of schedule in your professional pursuits.

For more insight into family and fatherhood, be sure to bookmark The Papa Perspective

Author: Janice Russell

Janice Russell created parentingdisasters.com so that parents would have a go-to resource whenever they needed a laugh and show parents they aren’t alone.