One of the biggest challenges of being a homeschooling, work at home mom is when do I get my work done? If I want quality time with my husband, my kids, and my job, it usually means that I don’t sleep. Except . . . I’ve come up with a trick.
When I really need to get something done, we play a pretend game. If I need to work on my computer, we play office. I work on my computer and the kids “work” on theirs. If I need to read a book, we play library. The kids are librarians and I’m a patron. If I have a meeting . . . okay, it doesn’t work if I have a phone conference. Then? I break out a movie :).
The point is that once they’re engaged in the pretend game, then I can work uninterrupted for at least ten or fifteen minutes. It doesn’t buy me a lot of time, but it buys me enough to get the “little” things done.
And, that’s what works for me.
Head on over to We Are That Family to see what works for everyone else!
Adjunctmom's Blog 
I always go straight for the movie. (Shame on me.) Thanks for these other ideas!!
Thankfully, my little one can be easily amused with books, puzzles and small toys, but when I really need a chunk of time, I stick on a video (a Raffi concert works the best for me)!
That’s a great idea. I have the same issue. Between meals, homeschooling, showers and phone calls when do I do the dishes or the dusting?? 🙂
That is a great idea and one I suggest to clients working on their time management. When kids feel involved and included they will be less likely to resent your online work.
My husband and I both work from home, and we have a very active one year old daughter. We’re also contemplating home schooling once the time arrives. Although I don’t work in the field these days, I have a bachelor’s degree in education. PS I love your ideas about playing office. If I am on my computer, I get out the little Winnie the Pooh laptop and she has fun “typing” while I do.