WFH with young kids

[Alzi]

My eldest goes to Nursery but this has been closed (attached to a school) meaning I've got to do my job in the spare room with a 3 year old on the rampage and my partner trying to look after a new born baby.

Has anyone got any tips to survive? My daughter is currently screaming through the door she needs a poo so I better be off!

 

[the_holgate_roof]

I suppose the first thing to do is let your boss know the score, and work out how they can support the balance between work and home issues.

 

[Alzi]

I suppose the first thing to do is let your boss know the score, and work out how they can support the balance between work and home issues.

I technically am the boss!

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

I feel for the families with young ones whilst working from home, not easy at all.

 

[Tommy_Dickfingers]

It's a nightmare, I had this for the first 7-8 weeks of the initial lockdown.

Only tip I can give is help the missus as much as possible, take a break and the kids off her hands for half hour.

 

[Statto1]

What time do they go to bed? Can you work on an evening/ night?
Probably best to not even bother trying to work, when they're running wild, if your work is flexible enough to do that?
Hopefully your company will appreciate the situation and things may not be the most productive.

 

[Alzi]

It's a nightmare, I had this for the first 7-8 weeks of the initial lockdown.

Only tip I can give is help the missus as much as possible, take a break and the kids off her hands for half hour.

I agree, it's much harder on my partner trying to control a new born and a toddler 8.30 - 6pm every day with no respite or outlet.

 

[BaronSmoggie]

My eldest goes to Nursery but this has been closed (attached to a school) meaning I've got to do my job in the spare room with a 3 year old on the rampage and my partner trying to look after a new born baby.

Has anyone got any tips to survive? My daughter is currently screaming through the door she needs a poo so I better be off!

You work in the bathroom?

Its very hard to do. We have an autistic child so its taken a while to teach her that when the door is closed, Daddy is working. We've also put up a colour chart on the door. Red means I'm busy, no knocking etc. Green means you can knock and come in and interrupt me. It works pretty well in general.

 

[Alzi]

What time do they go to bed? Can you work on an evening/ night?
Probably best to not even bother trying to work, when they're running wild, if your work is flexible enough to do that?
Hopefully your company will appreciate the situation and things may not be the most productive.

I coordinate front line key workers and have to respond to situations during the day so not possible unfortunately.

I'm not able to be in the office as my partner is in the high risk group and shielding.

 

[buffaloboro]

It's really not easy. I'm in the same boat. Really feel like the kids education has massively fallen behind and I've got the ability and resources ( except lots of time) to help them . God only knows what's happening to those without the same flexibility , resources etc

 

[Sybil_Fawlty]

Cut yourself some slack is my first piece of advice - it really is an absolute ball ache!

Secondly, sack any idea of educating if you haven't got the time! You need safe, fun resources to keep your young one entertained. Don't feel guilty about sticking her in front of an iPad or the tv, when you genuinely do not have time to supervise.

Some daft but fun ideas some of my friends tried with very young ones:

Painting a window, getting a paintbrush with water and painting a fence or a path, watering the garden, drawing a picture, making a Lego model, stick her in the bath with some toys for an hour a day, blow and catch bubbles.

There really is no easy answer and I don't envy you with kids that young while trying to WFH, but hope that maybe even 1 or 2 of these ideas might be useful!

 

[Archiestephens_elbow]

Work from home or.... Live at work?

 

[wilkos_perm]

I'd say you need some clear boundaries. Don't be half helping and half working as you'll fulfill neither role properly. Lock yourself away and leave the Mrs with the kids, don't try to dabble with getting involved as you'll blur the boundaries for the 3 year old as much as anything. I know it's tough going for your partner but lots of people have a baby and toddler at home anyway outside of lockdown. Just make sure you take over when you finish work. As for the distraction with the noise, there's no good answer to that..

 

[Maccarone]

I really sympathise for those parents with young children, my brother struggles with a 5 and 2 year old.
Do the best you can in a difficult situation and I hope your employer is of the understanding type.
I feel for you all, good luck and beat wishes.

 

[Muttley]

Sorry all I can offer is sympathy!

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

Work 2 hours, an hour with the big one while your wife has a break, then do it again twice. If you're doing 6 hours uninterrupted graft you're doing more than you would in the office.

 

[Otto42]

Sounds a nightmare. Is your Mrs also working from home? As others have said try and set boundaries as to work hours and childcare hours for each of you and don't beat yourself about anything, you can only do so much.

 

[Alzi]

Sounds a nightmare. Is your Mrs also working from home? As others have said try and set boundaries as to work hours and childcare hours for each of you and don't beat yourself about anything, you can only do so much.

She's also a key worker but on maternity leave at the minute so unfortunately we can't use our key worker status to get our 3 year old back into nursery.

Thanks everyone. I am quite fortunate that the organisation I work for is quite understanding and flexible so there are many probably in a worse place than me! It's just something a lot of people are going to have to juggle for the next couple of months.

 

[atypical_boro]

My eldest goes to Nursery but this has been closed (attached to a school) meaning I've got to do my job in the spare room with a 3 year old on the rampage and my partner trying to look after a new born baby.

Has anyone got any tips to survive? My daughter is currently screaming through the door she needs a poo so I better be off!

Aren't they obliged to offer an alternative arrangement?

It was tough in March-June for us, wife was 1st trimester pregnant too. Relieved to not be in that position now (he's still going in) but feel your pain.

The only advice I can give us get a lock on the door of the room you work in.

 

[mario_moreno]

No relatives around to help out a bit with the childcare? You're allowed informal/unpaid childcare even during this lockdown. Even if someone could take the eldest for a bit now and then it'd make a big difference.