We all got into this with the image in your head of us sitting
on a computer, or talking on the phone, while our little ones
are happily and quietly play with their toys under our desks.
That may happen every once in a blue moon, but usually, when you
really need to get something done, your kids all of a sudden
demand your undivided attention. Here are a few ideas on what to
do with your kids when you really need to get something done.
1) Trade play-dates with other moms in your area. One afternoon
the kids play at your house, the next at hers. You get the idea.
Not only does this help you out on the days that they are at
someone else’s house, but also on days that they are at yours.
You’ll be amazed at how much more you get done, when they are
keeping each other company.
2) Check with the churches and daycare centers in your area.
Some of them provide a mother day off program once a week. You
can leave your child in a safe place for a few hours, while you
run some errands, work on a deadline or make your important
calls without interruption.
3) Create a stash of toys and movies that you only bring out in
work emergency. Since these are new to your child, it should buy
you at least a little uninterrupted work-time.
4) Create a play area within sight of your work area. You’ll get
a lot more done if you don’t have to jump up and run all the
time to make sure your kids are fine.
5) Kids love to help and imitate you. Create a little work area
for them. A small table and chair next to yours can be their
desk. You may want to keep some paper and crayons handy. If they
have a leap-pad or one of the toy laptops, keep it at their desk
and they can come to work with mommy.
6) If your child is old enough have them help you by stuffing
envelopes, filing papers, reorganizing your desk drawer.
Encourage them to write an article for you, or teach them some
basic html and have them create a personal or family website.
Draw on your experience in your wah job or business and get them
involved.
7) Trade Time OFF with your spouse. If he takes the kids to the
park, while you get some work done, you’ll keep them busy later,
so he can wash the car, change the oil, watch a ballgame or
whatever else your significant other likes or needs to do
without the kids.
8) Just ask your kids to give you some time to work. Offer to
take them to the park, the Mall, Chuckey-Cheese, or wherever
else they like to go once you get your stuff done. Then make
sure you follow through, or this won’t work the next time.
9) If everything else fails, ask Grandma, or friend or neighbor
you trust to watch your kids for a few hours. If you use this
only once in a while they’ll be glad to spend some time with the
kids.
Try to plan ahead as much as you can and get work done while
your kids are in school, taking a nap or at night after they
have gone to bed. Days that you have to fall back on these tips
should be the exception, not the rule. If you find yourself
falling back on them almost every day, you may want to consider
rearranging your schedule, cutting back on the amount of work
you are doing, or, if you can afford it, get a in-house nanny
for a few hours a day. A more cost effective solution would be
to hire a teenager to keep your kids busy for a few hours after
school in your house. Look at your options and decide what works
best for you and your family.
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