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Recently I shared my top 10 tips for entertaining your kids from home without losing your mind.  If you missed this wildly popular post, be sure to check it out! 

Now, entertaining your kids from home is all fine and dandy if you can participate in the entertainment.  But what are you supposed to do if you have to actually work while your kids are home with you? This one is tricky, and has definitely frustrated me more than once in the last few days.  

But, as many working mamas have been forced to do of late, I’ve quickly picked up a few tricks.  Here are seven ways to work from home with your kiddos: 

1) Wake Up Earlier.

In some ways, as we’re settling into this new normal, being at home can sort of feel like a vacation.  There doesn’t seem to be any reason to go to bed “on time” because, well, you don’t have to be anywhere the next day.  Even I, who normally wakes up at 4:15 am, was at first rolling out of bed whenever I happened to wake up naturally or was rudely awakened by one of my kids.  But I quickly remembered that those wee hours of the morning are the quietest and most productive of my day. I meditate, pray and then get to work on anything that requires absolute focus and peace.  

So, as irksome as it may seem, get back to setting an alarm.  No matter which industry we’re in, most of us have some job tasks (like de-cluttering your email inbox or doing paperwork) that can be completed during non-business hours.  You’ll be shocked at how much you can get done when you’re not hearing, “Mom? Mom? Mom!” every five seconds.  

2) Create a Schedule.

Humans, especially kids, crave routine.  Routine fosters stability and a way to manage expectations.  Get dressed in the morning and make sure your kids do the same.  Everyone (including you) will take you more seriously if you’re not wearing pajamas all day.

If you’re homeschooling right now, set up a schedule for your kids.  Using my Weekly Designer, mine looks something like this:

Depending on your kids’ ages, they’re probably required to read on their own for 20 minutes at a time.  My second grader is also required to complete math and language arts lessons online through district programs called iReady and Success Maker.  I use those quick bursts of quiet to check emails and respond to anything urgent.  

(Tip: If you need help designing your days, check out the YIML Time Optimizing System. Yeah, I got your back, girlfriend).

3) Tune Into an Online Yoga or Fitness Class for Kids.

If your kids are too young to read on their own, try getting their attention with an at-home phys ed class.  Cosmic Kids Yoga and Move to Learn have great classes for various age groups on YouTube. The yoga classes are longer than the fitness ones, so keep that in mind when you’re selecting one.  For younger kiddos, the yoga classes may be your best bet. They have themes ranging from Old McDonald to Frozen to Trolls. If you play your cards right, you should be able to get 15 to 25 minutes out of this trick.

4) Give Them Free Play, Art Edition.

This one is risky because of the high potential that paint, play doh or slime will permanently end up where it does not belong.  I’ve found, however, that covering my countertop in copious amounts of plastic wrap significantly mitigates that risk. If you can give them something structured, like a figurine or a rock to paint, their concentration will likely last longer than it would if you just left them unattended to slap paint, markers or crayons onto paper.  I can usually buy myself 20 to 30 uninterrupted minutes with this trick.  

Warning: Do NOT leave them alone with glitter.  Don’t do it. Glitter is like the herpes of the craft world.  You cannot get rid of it. You will find it lurking in remote corners of your home for years to come.   

5) Make the Most of Nap Time.

If your kids still nap, this time might be the only time you can squeeze in some work—maybe even a conference call.  If you can couple this time with waking up earlier, you should be able to make a meaningful dent in your workload.

6) Allow Them to Watch a Movie.

Sometimes mama’s gotta rely on Disney.  Thankfully, there are a ton of great options on the Disney Plus app.  Choose something you and your kiddos all find acceptable and give them some popcorn.  If you can, set up your work station close enough so you can intervene if they start trying to kill each other.  Depending on how old your kids are and how entertaining the movie is, this option should give you at least 45 minutes.

7) Let Them Get on a Device.

It’s not ideal, but when you’ve gotta get something done, it’s your best bet.  There are some great educational apps that kids actually enjoy (like PBS Kids, which is always free, and ABC Mouse, which is currently offering free home access with code SCHOOL1686).  There are also some awesome educational websites your kids are sure to love, like Seussville or Fun Brain. Or you could let them watch National Geographic Kids or Brain Pop, Jr. on YouTube, or FaceTime with a cousin or a friend.  Whatever you decide, just know it’s ok. On some days, in some moments, it’s just about survival. An hour on the iPad when you need to be on call or focus on getting something submitted is truly not the worst thing in the world.  

And the MOST important thing for you to remember right now?   

You.

Keep taking care of yourself.  Exercise. Eat well. Rest. Give yourself a ton of grace.  Most employers are, out of necessity, relaxing expectations and requirements.  Everyone knows that schools are closed. No mom can be sitting in front of her computer for hours at a stretch while her kids are awake.  

Remember that you are already amazing and you’re doing the best you can.  Don’t be hard on yourself in this climate. You’re an awesome mom. You don’t have to be perfect, girlfriend.