Ginger Gorman’s top tips for working from home—with kids

Posted on 14 April, 2020

Last week we published best-selling author and journalist Ginger Gorman’s top tips for working from home.

People loved the advice, but had one question: what about when you add kids to the equation?

Now Ginger has created some tips for those working at home while juggling child care responsibilities.

#WFH with kids tip 1

Lower your productivity expectations. You absolutely ARE going to get a kid wiping snot on you and/or punching their brother while you are working.

If you normally work eight hours a day, instead MAKE PEACE with getting 2-4 hours of decent work done per day.

#WFH with kids tip 2

Accept your work will have typos on it, whole paragraphs or ideas missing. On Zoom calls, you’ll be interrupted and forget what you’re saying halfway through. Don’t cry—your colleagues get it.

#WFH with kids tip 3

Have some kind of routine and write it down somewhere (I’m not talking about homeschooling).

It might just be getting out to exercise early with the kids and setting them a couple of simple tasks—like 20 minutes of reading.

#WFH with kids tip 4

You are allowed to cry and swear—and even yell. This is a high pressure environment and it’s not easy for anyone.

Please explain this last part to your kids in an accessible way (it does help and their behaviour may improve because of that).

#WFH with kids tip 5

Work in shifts with your partner (if you have one) or change care arrangements with your ex-partner to accommodate, where possible. I’m single but often work very early in the morning or late at night when I’ve got the kids.

#WFH with kids tip 6

Expanding on my earlier tip…exercise with the kids a lot, so they are calmer when at home and they can get into quieter tasks while you #wfh—like reading and craft. It’ll improve your mental health a lot too.

#WFH with kids tip 7

Relax screen time rules. This is a pandemic and your support options are limited.

This isn’t the time for perfect parenting—it’s about surviving intact (and keeping the community safe too.) You’ve got to get through somehow. I give FULL permission.

#WFH with kids tip 8

OK, I’m not great at this, but limit sugar if you can. Kids full of sugar who are stuck inside while you’re working can be really foul.

#WFH with kids tip 9

Like I said in my last set of tips, be kind to yourself and your kids too. This is a pressure cooker. And if you can, find some pockets of time to enjoy things with your kids – like being outdoors and baking.

#WFH with kids tip 10

Don’t get overwhelmed by the deluge of homeschooling and other advice and resources being thrown at you. Ignore it.

Just do the best you can and love your kids, give yourself a break AND work when you can. That’s it.

Good luck. This isn’t forever