How to work from home with an infant
Approximately 12 percent of parents are cutting back on child care costs, according to The Wall Street Journal. Telecommuting is one way these parents are continuing to work but taking care of their children too. Working from home with children, especially infants, can be very difficult but not impossible. Consistency and structure are the keys to success.
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Instructions
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Keeping an activity log can help uncover the natural routine. Find a structured routine. According to Paula Spencer, Parenting Magazine contributor, a routine is important for baby's sense of security. This does not mean a set schedule with a specific time of day that things like naps occur. Babies just don't live their lives by the clock like adults do. Ann Douglas, author of "The Mother of All Baby Books," recommends creating a "rough blueprint for the day that's flexible enough to allow you to respond to your baby's needs as well as your own." Follow the plan so the same things happen in the same order every day. According to pediatrician Will Wilkoff, M.D., "By four months, a regular routine will probably have evolved." When forming the routine, take into consideration the baby's age, temperament, your own personality, and the daily calendar.
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Toys don't have to be expensive. Try hanging a plastic spatula overhead for baby to bat. Use plenty of age-appropriate toys. According to KidsGrowth, a parenting website, "a normal attention span is three to 5=five minutes per year of a child's age." Changing an activity can be as simple as moving the bouncy seat a bit to create a new view. Or it could be going from the bouncy seat to the activity center and then on to the swing. If there are plenty of options, the baby won't get bored and will still be able to learn and explore the world around her. Don't expect to get hours of uninterrupted time unless the baby is asleep, but this should allow some focus time. Try to take 15 to 20 minutes to play with the baby every hour so he will be happy to play independently the rest of the time.
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Just being near baby is sometimes enough to get a few focused minutes. Be flexible. It is unlikely you'll be able to sit down at a desk and work from 9 until 5 uninterrupted when there is an infant in the room. Be willing to work after bedtime or before the baby wakes up. Take the laptop down to the floor and work next to the baby while she is playing on her back. Read your work to the baby--he won't understand the words, but the inflection in your voice will help his language development.
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Use the special toy only during blanket time to keep him interested. Teach babies how to play quietly. Starting this exercise early can help you work, but it also teaches children self-discipline and independent play. Mega-mom Michelle Duggar, mother of 19 and star of the TLC television show "19 Kids and Counting" outlines her method in the book "The Duggars: 20 and Counting." Start by laying out a blanket in a specific place on the floor. Enthusiastically tell the baby it is blanket time and that she is to play quietly on the floor while mommy works. Start with just five minutes and tell her what a good girl she is for staying on her blanket. If she tries to get off the blanket, instantly correct her. Gradually increase the duration and add a special toy.
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Tips & Warnings
Be patient with yourself and your baby. Remember that she is observing everything and can sense your mood. Try not to let the work stress show.
Many telecommuting contracts state that the worker must have childcare in order to work from home. Do not try to hide the fact that your children are home while you are working or you may jeopardize your job.
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Resources
- Photo Credit works kid image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com terminplanung image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com young baby with toy image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com work after working image by Igor Nikolayev from Fotolia.com the amazed boy to sit on white blanket image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com
