Coronavirus Pandemic: Tips for Working From Home With Family

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Working from home may be one level of new normal. But now doing that with family during this Pandemic Quarantine can present some unique challenges. Consider some of the following tips for those with dependents needing active attention.

Whether it’s kids, an aging relative, or similar responsibilities needing your time, here is some advice for making it work.

1. Take Shifts. If you have another parent or adult family member at home with you that is also working, try taking 2 to 4 hour shifts managing the dependent. With kids, perhaps take them outside for 30 minute increments at least once during that period.
   
2. Flex Hours. For some, working an 8-hour, Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM type schedule with dependents at home is just not realistic. Perhaps consider flex hours. Establish your work hours outside the traditional Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM structure. For some that may be working after putting the kids or others to bed. For some that may mean working earlier to knock out items in the morning. For others, that may mean using a weekend instead of a week day.
   
3. Try to Occupy kids or dependents with activities while you work. Keep kids occupied with simple chores, books and activities. For adults dependents and children, check on them at regular intervals.
   
4. Tell them when snack and lunch time will take place. Your schedule may vary day by day. Be sure to tell fellow household members when lunch time and snack time will take place. This may reduce interruptions and allow people to more patiently wait.
   
5. Emergency Instructions. While you want to limit distracts and interruptions, you want to make sure family and housemates know what to do if you really are needed for an emergency. Defining what an emergency is and telling them what to do beforehand can help avoid household disaster. This may also be a good time to discuss home fire instructions and the “safe spot” everyone should go to in the event a fire occurs in the home.
   
6. Reward Kids and Dependents For Following Instructions. It may seem insignificant, but everyone likes to get acknowledged for doing good. Tell them you appreciate how they followed instructions. You may also try giving stickers or a stars next to their name on a board or maybe even prizes to kids. Consider a reward to family with a favorite meal, or dessert or playing their favorite song on a stereo or smart phone. Perhaps even watching their favorite movie or TV show can be a sweet reward. All of this can be especially helpful early on to set the tone.