10 tips for working at home with a toddler around

It’s been more than six months since my maternity leave ended and I started working from home, with my daughter here with me.

While I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work from home – I love that I get to spend my days with my little girl – it hasn’t been easy.

When we made the decision that I would work from home, I was completely naive about how difficult it would be. I thought, hey, we’ve made it out of the newborn phase – it’s going to get easier, right?

No. Not right. Completely wrong.

Yes, as a toddler, Pumpkin is much more independent. But, she also is much more demanding. When she wants attention, she’s adamant about getting that attention – and of course, I want to give it to her.

Plus, she’s more mobile, she wants to go out more and she’s sleeping less.

Oh how I miss four naps a day!

While I’m still learning how to juggle everything involved with working from home with a toddler around, here’s what I’ve figured out so far…

1. Make the most of nap time

As soon as those little eyes close, get to work.

Don’t dawdle on social media or make a snack or switch over the laundry. You don’t know how long the nap will last and it may be the only quiet time you get all day. Work like the wind – everything else can wait until your toddler is around to “help”.

2. Encourage independent play

I love getting down on the floor and playing with Pumpkin, but that’s not really an option when trying to get work done.

But, I suppose independent play is an important skill to learn – and Pumpkin is getting really good about playing by herself for half an hour or more at a time. She enjoys stacking and sorting games and she also loves looking at books and playing with her electronic toys.

Of course, whenever I can take a break, I make sure to get down on the floor for some play time, or take her outside for some fresh air and a run around.

3. Work after bedtime

You’ve finally got the kid to sleep, so now it’s time for a glass of wine and some Game of Thrones catch-up, right?

Well, unfortunately no. Post-bedtime can be one of the most productive times of day for me. Just don’t do it every night, or you might burn out.

And try to staying up much too late. You need a good night’s sleep to do it all again tomorrow.

4. Get out at least once a day

I’ve worked from home since before I was pregnant and I remember once realising I hadn’t been out of the house in four days. I immediately got up and took myself for a walk and the world seemed a little alien.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in everything at home – but make a point of getting outside at least once a day. You – and your child – need fresh air and a dose of vitamin D. And it’s a good way to switch off for a little while.

5. Get dressed in the morning

I know. Besides spending time with your kid, saving money on childcare and avoiding the commute, the ability to roll out of bed and work in your pyjamas is one of the main benefits to working at home.

But, every homeworker I know agrees: you’re more productive when you get dressed first thing in the morning. And it’s certainly true for me.

That doesn’t mean you have to put on a suit and wander around your house in heels and makeup. Yoga pants and t-shirt are fine. Just not the PJs.

6. Quick and easy lunches

Sure, you want to provide a healthy meal for your child, but you might not have time to prepare something elaborate in the middle of the day – or clean it up. So, I’ve figured out a few easy (and non-messy) lunches that are also nutritious. For example:

• Ham, cheese, crackers and apple slices
• Scrambled eggs with tomato wedges and toast
• Cheese on toast with carrot sticks
• Stir-fry veggies and noodles
• A trip to the supermarket cafe – let somebody else do all the work!

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7. Communicate with your partner

I’m not always good about this, but I should be – because Daddy-man is really supportive and he’s (almost) always ready to help me. I just need to ask for it.

At first, I felt bad about it. After all, I was at home all day, why wasn’t the house clean and dinner on the table when he walked in the door?

But then I realised: he may go off to work all day and bring in most of the money, but I’m taking care of a baby, the house and doing my job. Or, at least trying to. So, I’m really not being unreasonable if I want him to empty the dishwasher and fold some laundry.

I also need to be better about letting him know when I’m feeling overwhelmed. There may not be anything either of us can do about it, but at least telling him means that I can let off some steam.

8. Housework in small batches

I must admit that housework is my nemesis. I’ve never been much of a cleaner, and chores like dishes and laundry always take a back seat – especially when I have other priorities like a toddler and work.

My best results come when I try to do a little bit at a time. Little bursts of cleaning throughout the day – maybe between projects or when the kid is engrossed in something else – can mean the house isn’t a complete disaster when Daddy-man gets home.

9. Get a playpen

Sometimes, you need to put the kid somewhere for a little while.

Whether you just want to go to the bathroom alone, run into another room for a client call or prepare a meal without a toddler’s “help” – the playpen is perfect. Especially, if you pair it with a Disney movie. That’s a recipe for 90-120 minutes of uninterrupted work.

Well, sometimes.

10. Be flexible

It seems that once you figure out a routine that works, it stops working. Oh, baby has taken naps at 11am every day for the last week? Well, now that you’ve noticed the pattern, she probably won’t nap again until 3:00pm on Saturday. Sorry.

So, be flexible wherever you can. Hopefully your job allows for it.

Bonus: Don’t be hard on yourself

When I started back to work, I felt so bad – like I was being a terrible mummy for not playing with my baby every waking hour. After all, maternity leave had meant I could exactly that for nine months solid and suddenly that was taken away.

I’m not going to lie: there were a lot of tears and I felt really rubbish about… well, everything.

But, right now for us, not working is not a choice. So what I’m doing is the best thing I can do for my child. Even if it means fewer trips to the swimming pool or the park and that the house is in a constant state of complete disarray.

So, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t be a perfect employee, a perfect partner and a perfect parent. You’re doing the best you can, and at least as far as your family is concerned, that should be enough.

(I can’t guarantee that “your best” is enough for your boss though. I know it’s not for mine…)

Do you have any tips for a Work-at-home mum or dad? Please share in the comments below… I could use all the help I can get!