Are you working from home with kids? My recommendations after some time coworking with our 10, 8, and 6-year old:

1. Let go of the conventional wisdom of keeping the “normal” office day structure.
2. Don’t wait for kids to wander in during calls or meetings. Find the right opportunity to invite them in, so you can describe what you’re doing and why. It’s great learning for them and sensitizes them to how their behavior might affect you.
3. Schedule extra breaks to be with kids (on both your schedule and theirs), whether it be for lunch, walks, or helping with their schoolwork.

And if you’re managing employees who are parents or caregivers, be compassionate and flexible. You’re in this together for the long haul, and you’ll get better engagement, focus, and commitment by trusting them to manage the demands on their time and attention.

Author: Nathan Christensen

About

Nathan is driving Mineral to transform the delivery of HR knowledge solutions and create unparalleled customer experiences for employers. He has been named a “Game Changer” in the HR field by Workforce magazine and was selected by the Portland Business Journal as a member of “Forty Under 40” class. Nathan’s articles on management, human resources strategy, and public policy have appeared in publications such as The Washington Post, Fast Company, and Workforce. He’s also been a featured speaker at numerous industry conferences and events. Nathan holds degrees from Stanford University and The University of Chicago Law School.