More people are choosing to work from home. One of the biggest perks is that you get to spend more time with your family. This is a desirable option if you want to expand your family as you build your career. Working remotely can become an issue if you’re not prepared for this type of lifestyle.
Here are great remote worker best practices to keep in mind when working remotely whether you had your first child or you have a full house.
Determine your expectations
First, you should figure out your expectations for working from home. Do you want to spend more time with your baby? Are you tired of the office environment? If this is your first time working remotely, you won’t be able to work seven to eight hour shifts.
You may only be able to work two or four hours at a time especially with a new baby around. Be realistic when setting your expectations.
Talk to your kids about your expectations
It’s important to discuss your expectations with your family. Let them know how important your work is to you. Children need structure as much as adults do. But, you can’t provide that if your work life is a mess. Tell your family that they need to be quiet during these work hours. Reward your children whenever they finish their chores or are quiet when you work.
Give them a break in the middle of the day or by the end of the day. You may want to treat them to lunch or take them to the park. Take your new baby out for a walk.
Hire a nanny or babysitter
If your hands are full with a newborn, hire a caregiver to watch your baby. Having someone looking after your baby during working hours is important if you want to achieve success when working from home. That could mean hiring an in-house nanny or a part-time babysitter depending on your needs.
A trusted friend, neighbor, or relative also works if you don’t want to leave your child in the hands of a stranger. Without a caregiver, your productivity is likely to suffer. You’ll find yourself having a hard time getting things done. This could jeopardize your financial success as a remote worker.
Create a dedicated work space
To effectively work from home, you need to have your own office. You don’t want to work in the living room, dining room, or kitchen table. This can create distractions especially with children around.
Set up an office area in your den or bedroom. Make sure your workspace has a door that you can close. You also want to have equipment such as a computer or laptop, wireless router, and printer/scanner/copier. You should also keep office supplies and noise canceling headsets nearby. The less you have to leave your office, the more work you’ll be able to get done.
Get out of the house with your kid
Being cooped up in the house with a new job and baby will drive you crazy at times. Your baby needs some fresh air as well. Play with them at the park. Sign the rest of your kids up for lessons or classes they can attend. Set up play dates with their friends to ensure you’ll have a quiet house for a few hours.
Set aside time for family
Don’t become a workaholic. While working remotely is beneficial, it has its share of disadvantages. You may find yourself becoming addicted to working.
Having a home office can make it impossible for you to enjoy time with your family.
Stay away from the office for a few hours each day or throughout the weekend. Use this time to take your family to a restaurant or to the movies. Spend some quality time with your family as soon as your workday ends. This assures your kids that you can create a healthy work-life balance.
Create a schedule and stick to it
Working from home means you can work anytime you want. You’ll find yourself taking longer lunches than usual. It’s easy to forget that you have work to do. Schedule a time when you’ll start work each day and when you’ll end. Set aside time for breaks and lunches.
Working odd hours may also benefit your lifestyle. Set aside time to work late at night when your baby is asleep, or early in the morning before everyone wakes up. Working these odd hours can help you get some critical work done.
