Remote work options have gained popularity in recent years, offering a much needed solution for military spouses.  Juggling frequent relocations, fitting work around school schedules, and securing affordable childcare are just a few of the challenges we face.

Even with a sick child, school closures, or a personal preference for keeping kids at home, work demands don’t cease. Here are some tips from a mother of two for balancing work and kids while working from home:

Create a Schedule:  

With kids around, sticking to a routine can be tough. However, maintaining structure in your day will allow you to accomplish more.

Involve your kids in creating a schedule by letting them choose their activities, even if you’ve pre-approved the options. Divide the day into manageable segments and use transition periods to move around and boost blood flow to your brain.

This will improve your cognitive function. Click here If you need more tips establishing a schedule as a remote worker. 

Have a Hand Signal:

Establish a hand signal or closed door signal to indicate to your kids that a phone call is in progress and you need it to be quiet. Consider headphones or a headset for added privacy. This may take time for younger kids to understand, but with patience they will eventually adapt.

Take Your Lunch Break:

Dedicate focused time to your kids instead of multitasking during lunch. Set aside a specific period, in my house we call it “special time”, where you can give each child individual and undivided attention. Use this time as a break from work, and a motivator for your kids as something to look forward to. Make sure to set boundaries though, or you’ll end up playing nerf gun wars every day.

Be Flexible:

Embrace flexibility in your workday. Military life often involves unexpected events and the same goes for working from home with kids.

If a nap time gets disrupted, use that time for administrative tasks and save the more demanding tasks for later when the baby is sleeping.

Maintaining a flexible schedule will allow you to adapt and make the most of every moment.

Working from home with kids present is not easy, but with proper planning it is doable.

*Written by Janine Spurrier

Janine is a Transition Specialist with the Serving Spouses Team at Hire Heroes USA.She has been a military spouse for over 10 years and knows firsthand the struggles of searching for employment and the barriers that come along with each PCS.

She has most recently taken a few years off to live overseas, travel, and raise her family while creating a dynamic home environment for their two boys. Janine has experience as a Recruiter and an HR Assistant which have helped her guide her clients in the process of networking and standing out to recruiters and potential employers. She has a passion for learning and serving others, and truly values an organization that empowers the military community.

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