O.k, so I know most of the kids have now gone back to school and so we should have more time to spend on work now. However, having a week of a more relaxed working environment (shall we say!), got me thinking, I can’t be alone in having to meet some deadlines when Baby is at home. Sometimes work has to get done, posts need to be written, we need to keep our blogs ticking over for so many reasons. So what tips do I have to help you get content out there, when you have ‘other’ responsibilities too!
- Don’t plan too many projects. Just because you have a fabulous idea, doesn’t mean you have to write and publish it now. I think we all suffer from a degree of ‘I-must-write-that-now-itis’, but we can wait. Write down your idea, even set up a draft post, but you don’t have to start working on it. Save it for when you have more time to commit to it.
- Employ productivity tactics, especially batching. If you have time get all the urgent content done in one hit. Then, in the next free section of time do all your scheduling. If you need help with productivity I am offering a free 5 day productivity challenge starting tomorrow! You can sign up on my blogging courses page.
- Republish an old post. If you really feel as if you NEED to post something, but you are struggling for writing time. Why not find an old post that is evergreen, give it a spring clean (maybe add a content upgrade) and republish it.
- Accept a guest post. This is another idea if you want content on your blog. Why not ask a friend to write you a post for your blog, even rejig an archived post from their post. They will probably oblige; remember everybody loves a back link!
- Give them a bath. Most kids love the bath. I know Baby would stay in there for hours given half a chance. So let them have a bath, filled with toys, while you work in the same room, sitting on the loo if you have to!
- Freelancing mum play-date. This depends on your immediate circle of friends, but maybe you could meet for a playdate with another mum with a similar working life and take it in turns to mind the kids and work.
- Early bird/Night owl. Depending how your kids sleep you could get up early to work before they wake up (not possible for me, as Baby wakes between 5-6am most days). So, I choose to work (mainly) at the other end of the day, often into the early hours of the next morning.
- TV break. T.V gets a bad rap really, considering that so much of kid’s TV is really educational. As long as balance is exercised, I don’t think there is an issue with screen time and it can be a really effective way to allow you to meet a deadline.
- Have a treat stash. I often buy little bits and bobs that I find in sales. Then, if I need a few minutes of focused time, I can pull out a little something that will entertain her for a while.
- Soft play. If your kids are old enough to play without supervision, the local soft play centre can be a great place to go to get some work time. Take your laptop and most even have free wifi too.
- Craft or Art project. Set up a fun craft or art project that your kid can do alone, or with you chipping in here and there. Take the laptop to the table and do both.
How do you get stuff done with kids at home? What else could you add to this list?
Comments 3
I tend to get the bulk of my work done when they’re having lunch or watching a movie in the afternoon. Other than that, if T’s at home and I have to work we go to soft play x
I mostly do my work when they are at school or sleeping but during the school holidays I do most of what you have suggested above. This Summer I worked really hard in the weeks leading up to Summer and scheduled posts for three weeks ahead. I begin by scheduling posts every other day and then if I have time I fill in the non-post days with our holiday activities. This then takes the pressure off to get work done in the evenings when they are sleeping
Great tips. I give my daughter a ‘play bath’ if I really need to get something done when she’s around. She gets to have her barbies and is allowed to make a potion of shampoo, conditioner and other bits and bobs that we have. It’s gives me enough time to get some urgent work done and she makes me frothy bubble bath coffees to keep me going!!