School holidays: how do you mix work with your kids?
I used to love the school holidays when I was a kid. But now that I work from home and have kids, it’s a completely different story.
During term time, my kids (ages 6 and 3) are out all day at school and my time is my own, save for school runs and the like. I can get stuff done. It’s fantastic. But during holidays - like the two weeks starting from today here in the UK, for example - trying to work with any great deal of success is like wading through a vat of treacle.
It’s all… "Dad, can I have some juice", "dad, I’m huuungry", "dad, where’s my pen?", "dad, can you find my gloves so I can go outside", "dad, what time’s dinner?", "dad, I’m huuuuuuuungry"… and on and on and on…
And that’s when they’re getting on with each other. When they’re fighting it’s ten times as bad. At least.
I know I should have planned a little better for this, but I wasn’t expecting the weather to be so bad. Normally, they’d be playing outside for the two weeks and wearing themselves out, or we’d be off doing stuff together. But with the snow we had this morning (it’s April, for crying out loud!) and my current workload, that’s not happening today - and probably not tomorrow, either.
So, with that in mind, we’re spending today thinking of stuff we can do for the next couple of weeks, should the weather stay like it is. I’m thinking lots of Play Doh, paper, pipe cleaners, glue, paints, etc, etc… the messier the better. In fact - the cleaner an activity, the less likely it is to hold their attention.
So, with all that in mind, does anyone have any other ideas on how to get any work done with two housebound - and very restless - kids crashing about the place?
How do you mix your work with your kids - especially during school holidays? Let me know in the comments…
Tagged with: kids
Bob said on April 14, 2008 @ 3:28 pm...
Barry, you are right on. I have 3 daughters and the oldest lives near us. The grandkids do not need to be out of school. My daughter will call to pick them up at school because she is on the other side of town and they need to go to soccer, dancing, scouts, etc. So there is a residual affect even after your kids are grown and gone. But I still love it.
Bob said on April 15, 2008 @ 2:27 am...
I know it’s not for everyone, but we home school our kids, so every day is a home with the kids day! Being self-employed does have its perks as well; I do have an office (ten minutes from home), but I have the flexibility to be home when it’s important (appointments, lunches, special days, etc.).
My wife spends the bulk of her time with the children, and now that they are older, they are very much self-directed. One encouragement is that if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and patiently train your children when they are older, the will turn out to be blessings in the end.
Dumbledore said on April 16, 2008 @ 1:52 am...
Whenever my daughter is off for the holidays she insists on making the trip to work with me at least once a week. I do not yet work from home, but hope to in the near future. At least I have a couple very understanding company owners who love my daughter to death and even voulnteer to babysit.
Laurie Conroy said on April 22, 2008 @ 6:50 pm...
I have been wondering the same thing lately. I have a brand new home based business and four kids. How will I get through the summer? We really do need some tips!!! LOL!
Laurie
http://earnmoneyandhavefun.blogspot.com/
Cheryl said on April 27, 2008 @ 2:30 pm...
I run several small businesses from home. My daughter is 19 months and home with all day, every day. I also babysit a little girl who is 15 months for days a week. My son, 9, is home during vacations and holidays.
Here are a few tips:
1. Have activities planned to keep them busy.
2. Train them to occupy themselves. When they try to interupt, teach them need to wait and find something to do. This might be easier for older ones if you plan certain times of day where you will stop working and spend 30 minutes with them. Make a schedule and show them. “This is family time” and “This is work/play by yourself time.”
3. Invite a friend over. What have more children in the house??? Yes! Sometimes having their best friend over for the day will keep them busy playing for far longer. You might even be able to trade kids. Make a deal with the other parent, I’ll take the kids on Monday, you take them all on Tuesday.
Good luck and stay patient.