6 Tips for Working from Home While Caring for Young Children

In today’s world, remote work has become a long-term reality for many caregivers, presenting unique challenges when balancing professional responsibilities with caregiving duties. If you're juggling work and childcare from home, here are updated strategies to help you create a harmonious environment while keeping everyone on track.

1. Set Clear and Realistic Expectations

Establish family rules that align with your work needs and communicate them in advance. Make sure rules are age-appropriate, framed positively, and easy to enforce. Revisit them as your children grow and your work needs evolve. Focus on clear, actionable behaviors:

• Example: “Use quiet voices during calls.”
• Make sure rules are age-appropriate, framed positively, and easy to enforce. Revisit them as your children grow and your work needs evolve.

Keep your children occupied with engaging, safe activities that suit their age and interests. Digital resources like interactive learning apps, online classes, or kid-safe creative tools can complement traditional activities like puzzles, crafts, and reading. Save the most enticing options for high-focus work times.

3. Provide Positive Reinforcement

Children thrive on attention, so make a point to notice and acknowledge good behavior:

• A simple smile, thumbs-up, or whispered “Thank you for being quiet” during your work can go a long way.
• Offer specific praise afterward: “You did a great job staying busy and kind to your siblings while I was in my meeting.”

Positive reinforcement encourages children to repeat desirable behaviors because they associate them with your attention and approval

4. Have a Plan for Challenges

Even with preparation, challenging behavior may arise. Address it quickly and calmly using familiar strategies that have worked for your family before.

• Stay consistent with consequences or redirection techniques your children already know.
• After the situation, calmly discuss what went wrong and how to improve: “Next time, remember to use your inside voice while I’m working.”

Before an important meeting or deadline, practice the routine with your children:

• Set up a mock scenario and guide them through the expected behavior.
• Keep practice sessions brief and lighthearted to build confidence and familiarity.

Remote work often allows for flexible schedules. Plan your workday around natural ebbs and flows in your children’s energy and attention. Use nap times, independent play moments, or quiet times for high-focus tasks.

7. Create a Family Routine

Consistent routines reduce stress and uncertainty for everyone. Incorporate regular meals, breaks, and shared activities to maintain balance and predictability.

By planning ahead, staying flexible, and talking with your family, you can make home a place where work and family both go smoothly. These tips make daily life easier and help kids learn patience, working together, and doing things on their own.

If you are looking for more tips around positive parenting, Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers free Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) support on a wide variety of topics for parents of young children. For more information, email TripleP@NationwideChildrens.org or call (614) 355-8099.