There may be affiliate links or adverts within this post. This means that by purchasing a product through this link, I will earn a very small commission. This is of no extra cost to you, and you are under no obligation to buy. All opinions about any products are my own and I only recommend products I am passionate about. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. For more information please visit our 'Disclaimer' page.
Are you staying productive? How is it going with getting those jobs done around the house? Or working from home that you need to do? I know, it’s hard when the kids are constantly asking for things or needing to be kept occupied, but all is not lost.
This is how to stay productive, even when the kids are home and are running circles around you (sometimes literally in my house).
Whether it’s a rainy day, lockdown or a long summer, these ideas are bound to get you to be the most productive you have ever been with the kids around. Some of them will even get the kids helping and occupied meaning that your jobs get done quicker and you have more time to have fun (or relax).
How to Stay Productive when the Kids are Home
Draw up a Chores List
This one is great, especially if you have older kids as they can do more to help. This not only allows you to get through your to-do list quicker, but it also helps your children to stay occupied and learn how to help out around the house.
Put a Film on
A guaranteed hour to yourself. This works for me every time I know I need a decent amount of time to sit down and do some work. Make it even more fun for the kids by providing microwave popcorn and closing the curtains so it’s like going to the cinema. Adding in little things like this makes it a new and different experience for kids so they are more likely to want to sit through the whole movie.
Related: 2 Easy and Fun Baskets for Toddlers to Make.
Get Crafty
Set up a craft for them to be getting on with while you tackle your to-do list. This could be a seasonal craft or making cards or gifts for occasions that are coming up. You can grab a bunch of crafts to do at home right here.
8 Incredible productivity hacks you can use to get stuff done at home when the kids are there. #productivity Click To Tweet
Time Blocking
I’ll be honest, this has gotten me a long way with productivity. You can do this really simply on your phone calendar, you don’t need any special app or anything! You can plan out your whole day doing this. Block out a few hours throughout the day for your chores, work or odd jobs. This could be tied into nap time if you are still lucky enough to have that!
Make sure to block a couple of hours for dedicated playtime. You will find that the more time your kids have your undivided attention, the more they will leave you alone to get done what you need to get done!
Related: Indoor Activities for Kids
Set up a Game/Challenge
Take some time before you sit down to work, have a cup of tea or tackle your to-do list to set up a game. This could include a hunt for household items, different letters or specific things you have hidden. Tell them what you have hidden and that they have to find it, then set them loose! This should give you a bit of time to yourself while they are hunting high and low for the objects.
Grab those Leftovers out the Freezer
Cooking dinner can be a major time sap. If you are short on time on a particular day, then grab some leftovers out the freezer to defrost. Then all you need to do is instruct whoever is hungry how to heat it up in the microwave. You are then left some extra time to get done whatever you need to do. Need help meal planning? You need to read this!
Work in the Garden
If the weather is lovely and the kids are itching to get outside, then let them run free while you work in the garden. That way you can keep an eye on them as well as grabbing yourself a healthy dose of vitamin D and some fresh air.
Invest in Yourself
If you really struggle with staying productive, then do not be ashamed of taking professional advice. This is what I had to do because I have the attention span of fish when I’m not seriously ‘in’ to something.
Sound familiar?
Kristine helped me MASSIVELY. She has this amazing online course called “Get Chaos Organized for Mom Bloggers” this will still apply if you are NOT a blogger, but work at home or even just how to get things done with your kids around that isn’t work-related.
The beauty of the course is that you take it at your own speed. Have lifetime access to it and you can also reach out to Kristine for help with the course.
If you need some serious help with your productivity, then ‘Get Chaos Organized” is for YOU. Kristine goes through time blocking, how to work with your kids and not against them, and what I think is the most important, knowing when you need to ask for help because nobody is superhuman.
I’ve gone from struggling to work for more than two hours a day (max!) to at least 4 hours and still finding time to spend with my kids and get done most of what I need to in a day. Yes, it costs money, but the course will buy you even more free time and more results.
Can’t recommend it enough guys. Let me know what you think of it when you’ve started I’d love to hear your opinion.
There are some seriously simple ways of how to stay productive with the kids at home for you there. What ones work for you, or which ones don’t? Tell me about it in the comments.
pin for later