Tips for Working at Home When You're a Parent of a Toddler

I am really looking forward to preschool. The thought of having a few hours before 9 p.m. to work uninterrupted sounds very appealing, especially right now as I try to type with my daughter clamoring for the keyboard. But alas, we are at least two years away from that. In the meantime, I am learning to work at home with a toddler which, I am discovering, is a feat in and of itself.

Working at home with a toddler requires excellent time management. The most important thing for moms (or dads) to do is to establish is a schedule of some sorts. Having a schedule will allow you to take advantage of pockets of time here and there for your work. Of course, having a toddler also means there is a lot of unpredictability in your household. So any schedule you set up should be flexible. Having a set routine does two things for you and your toddler; you can plan your day and your child knows what to expect. Even at this young age, children respond better when they have a sense of pattern and routine to their day. Using a schedule can help prevent tantrums too. Tantrums are often the result of your child feeling that they have lost control. So if they know what to expect and what is coming next in their day, they are more likely to approach the activities with less resistance.

Once you have your routine in place, take advantage of naptimes! I used to clean house during naptimes but that has quickly gone by the wayside. I think that it is better to focus on your business during those quiet times in the day. You may not get as much housework done when your child is up as you would during naptime, but you are setting an example for them and teaching them housework duties. As they grow, they can help with sorting laundry or putting away dishes.

When you devote the naptime hours to your work, remember to use those hours wisely. Many an afternoon of mine has been frittered away on e-mails and message boards. Unless it is absolutely necessary, only check e-mail once a day. Prioritize your work tasks and do the most important tasks firsts, right after your little one goes to sleep. That way if he or she does wake up early, you will not be interrupted while doing your most important task.

If you need to work while your toddler is up, try setting up a little "work" area for them next to your desk. My daughter loves the keyboard and will type on it as long as we let her do it. When I start typing, she wants up in my lap so she can do it too. We solved this problem by finding an old computer keyboard at an office supply warehouse. She now has her own place to type, and it frees me to update my blog, respond to e-mails and do my banking. It won't distract her forever, but it does allow me a few minutes here and there to do some work tasks. Keep a small basket of special toys by your desk or crayons and paper if your child is old enough. Your little one can stay close and be entertained while you are able to concentrate on a necessary work task.

This may seem like odd advice but it is important to have special times each day when you ignore the phone, forget about the computer and focus on your child 100%. Working at home means that your time is often split, but it is important to establish some focused time on your child each day. Put work on the back burner and clear all business related thoughts from your mind. I am a natural multi-tasker and although my daughter is my priority, I must admit that establishing this habit was hard for me. In my pre-mom life, I always tried to do two or three things at once. I still do that to an extent by talking with my daughter and having her with me while I do housework and other little tasks. But it is so important to slow down and focus on her exclusively at times throughout the day. When you work at home, it can sometimes be hard to put your work aside but scheduling some down time for yourself with your child will do a lot of good for you both.

When you work at home with a toddler, there is always something to do. Since you are never short on work, the key is prioritizing your work and trying to make the most of your schedule. Additionally, you must maintain a balance between your child and your job. It's not easy to do, and it may take daily adjustments. But the benefits of being able to earn an income and raise your child at the same time are endless. With a little planning and practice, working at home with a toddler is achievable.