If you work from home with kids, you know it can feel like an extreme sport. Learning how to work from home effectively is one thing; figuring out how to work from home with kids is a whole new challenge (think marathon meets juggling act).
In 2025, remote work is still going strong, so if you’re wondering if working from home is still available in 2025, the answer is a resounding yes. Many companies continue to offer flexible or hybrid schedules. And to be honest, most of us with kids have gone through the process one way or another, so you are not alone!
But the real question for parents is: How can you keep your sanity and get work done with the little ones underfoot? We’ll get into it in a moment; stay put!
In the meantime, let’s first reminisce about who invented work from home. Well, no single person “invented” work from home, but the concept of telecommuting dates back to the 1970s (a NASA engineer named Jack Nilles coined “telecommuting” in 1973. Fast forward to today, working from home is a normal reality for millions, especially after COVID-19.
Now, let’s talk about the real shiz, I am going to share some tips which we (our married team members with kids and the people in our circle have shared). We will talk about some actual tips for working from home with kids that will help you stay productive without losing your sanity (or your laptop to a flying sippy cup).
Behold and read along the 10 sanity-saving tips, each packed with fun and pun-filled advice for parents working from home with kids:
1. Stick to a Routine (But Expect Detours)
Kids thrive on routine, and let’s face it, so do we adults. Try to create a family schedule that outlines when you work and when you’re on parent duty. For example, set core work hours around nap times or school times, and have consistent lunch and snack breaks for the kids. A morning routine (even if it’s as simple as “coffee for you, cartoons for them”) signals that the workday is starting.
Working from home with kids often means your day won’t always go as planned (cue the toddler tantrum at 10 AM), so build in buffer time. Think of your routine as a road map, useful for direction, but flexible enough to take an alternate route when life (or your toddler) throws a toy in your path.
2. Create a Kid-Friendly Workspace (Your Home Office Fortress)
Having a dedicated workspace helps you get into “work mode” and signals to your kids that you’re busy. If possible, set up a home office or a desk in a low-traffic area of the house. Explain to the kids that when you’re in your special chair or wearing your headset, it’s work time (a simple door sign or red-green light system can work wonders, green means “come in,” red means “on a Zoom call, do not disturb unless it’s an emergency or a cookie-related crisis”). It’s tricky, but practicing it daily can help.
Make the space kid-resistant. Keep important wires, devices, and that oh-so-tempting big red “End Call” button out of reach. You can even set up a kids’ corner nearby with coloring books or puzzles, so they feel included, but not literally on your lap during meetings. By carving out a semi-kid-free zone (hey, we can dream!), you can establish a boundary between work and play, even if it’s just a symbolic one.
3. Nap Time = Power Hour
Every parent’s favorite four-letter word: N-A-P-S.
During nap time (or the much-appreciated “quiet time” for older kids), maximize your productivity. Plan your most focus-intensive tasks for those golden quiet moments. It might be tempting to do dishes or laundry while the house is finally silent, but remember that work time is hard to come by, so use it wisely for deep work or important calls.
If your kids are past the napping stage, consider instituting a daily quiet time where everyone reads, does puzzles, or engages in a calm solo activity. (No, sneakily hiding in the bathroom for a break isn’t officially quiet time, but we’ve all been there.) You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done in an hour of kid-free quiet.
Bonus tip: If you have an important meeting, try a pre-emptive energy burn – a quick dance party or backyard play session before call time can help tire the kids out. So they’re more likely to chill while you work.
4. Communicate and Set Boundaries
Clear communication is your BFF when you work from home with kids. Let your boss and team know your schedule constraints. For instance, “I take calls after 10 AM, once I’ve dispatched the kids to school or settled them with an activity.” Most employers in 2025 understand the drill (many are juggling the same issues). If you have to step away to handle a toddler meltdown, be honest and don’t panic. Setting expectations with colleagues means fewer raised eyebrows when a child pops up on your video call.
Likewise, set boundaries at home. Explain in simple terms to your kids when they can interrupt you (pro tip: define what an “emergency” is. Hint: it’s not finding out the Wi-Fi password to watch Frozen for the 47th time).
Use visual cues. For example, a closed door or a “working hat” you wear signals that you’re in work mode. And remember the magic word: mute. The mute button lets you shush the chaos momentarily during conference calls (so your co-workers don’t hear you negotiating cookie-for-silence deals with your preschooler).
5. Let It Go (Perfection Is Overrated)
When it comes to balancing career and kiddos at home, repeat after me: “Let it go.” (Yes, you can sing it if you want. We know you know the lyrics!).
One of the biggest tips for working from home with kids is to let go of perfection. Your home might get a bit messier, your workday might have odd pauses, and screen time for the kids might increase on tough days. And that’s okay! You’re not going to have the Pinterest-perfect home office or the productivity of an uninterrupted 9-to-5 worker every day. Embrace the occasional chaos.
Prioritize what needs to get done each day, both for work and home. Allow yourself to be “good enough” with the rest. Did the kids have cereal for dinner once this week because you had a late meeting? They’ll survive. Did you send an email with a typo because you were rocking a baby with one arm while typing? It happens. Cut yourself some slack and channel your inner Elsa – let go of the guilt and unrealistic expectations.
6. The Art of Distraction: Keep Kids Busy
A distracted kid is a good kid (for us working parents, anyway!). Plan ahead to keep your little ones engaged while you work. Stock up an “office toy box” filled with special goodies that only come out during work hours. Think crayons, play-dough, puzzle books, or that one toy that actually holds their attention for more than 5 minutes. Rotate the contents to keep things novel. Encourage older kids to help out with simple chores or “jobs” if appropriate (you’d be surprised, some kids take sorting papers or stapling with serious dedication if you call them your “assistant”).
Also, don’t feel guilty about deploying some educational screen time when needed. An age-appropriate learning app or a nature documentary can be a lifesaver when you need uninterrupted time for a call.
The key is balance and variety: a bit of outdoor play in the backyard, a bit of coloring, maybe a scavenger hunt game around the house. By mixing it up, you can often buy yourself pockets of work time.
Remember, a little creative distraction goes a long way. Sometimes, the best way to get your work done is to make sure the kids have something fun to do that doesn’t require your full attention every second.
7. Smart Home Gadgets and Gizmos (Use Tech to Your Advantage)
Let technology be your co-parent (it’s the 21st century, after all). A few well-chosen home gadgets can make working from home with kids a tad easier. For instance, a smart speaker can play lullabies or white noise for the baby while you’re on a call or even act as a friendly timer to remind older kids when “quiet time” is up.
Noise-cancelling headphones are practically a work-from-home uniform item now. They can help you focus (and blissfully tune out Baby Shark playing in the next room). If you have very young kids, a video baby monitor or a webcam in the playroom lets you keep an eye on them without constant interruptions.
You can also use tech to keep kids engaged: there are interactive toys and kid-friendly tablets loaded with educational games that hold their attention just long enough for you to send that important email.
Just use gadgets wisely and sparingly. You don’t need a tech overload, just a couple of trusty helpers. Remember, the goal is to enhance your day, not make it more complicated. A little Alexa here, a dash of Netflix there, and you’ll find a modern parenting groove that works for you.
8. Put On Your Oxygen Mask First (Self-Care Matters)
When you’re juggling work and kids, it’s easy to forget about yourself. But taking care of your well-being is non-negotiable. Think of it as putting on your oxygen mask first so you can help others. Schedule a few mini-breaks in your day to recharge. This might mean waking up a bit early for a quiet cup of coffee or doing a quick 10-minute yoga stretch during lunch while the kids have a snack.
Step outside for a breath of fresh air when you can; even a short walk to the mailbox can clear the mind (bonus points if you can coax the kids outside with you for a mini “recess”).
Prioritize sleep and try to maintain a reasonable bedtime. Binge-watching one more episode at midnight isn’t worth it when you know a 6 AM toddler wake-up call is imminent.
Also, be kind to your mental health. Some days will be stressful, so find what helps you de-stress, whether it’s a warm bath, meditation, or calling a friend to vent (or laugh) about the day’s antics. Remember, you’re the engine that keeps the family machine running. A little self-care fuels you up to handle the next work deadline and the next round of “Mom/Dad, I need you!” with patience and grace.
9. Tag-Team and Ask for Help
Even superheroes call in backup sometimes. If you have a partner at home, tag-team parenting is key. Coordinate your schedules to share childcare duties. For example, one of you covers breakfast and kid playtime from 8 am -10 am while the other gets a work sprint in, then swap roles. This “divide and conquer” strategy can give each parent some guaranteed focused work blocks. (Just be sure to occasionally have some full family time, so you’re not always ships passing in the hallway handing off the baby!).
If you’re a single parent or your partner isn’t available during the day, don’t be afraid to ask for help. This could mean trading off playdate time with a neighbor (they watch your kids one afternoon, and you watch theirs another) or leaning on a grandparent/relative for a virtual storytime session over video chat to occupy the little ones.
Hiring help is also an option if feasible. A part-time nanny or even a responsible local teen as a mother’s helper for a couple of hours can be a game changer. The bottom line: You don’t have to do it all alone.
As the saying goes, it takes a village! So assemble your village, whether it’s your spouse, family, friends, or paid help. Even a little support can go a long way toward maintaining your sanity and productivity.
10. Embrace the Chaos and Cherish the Moments
Our final (and perhaps most important) tip: keep a sense of humor and perspective. Working from home with kids is chaotic – no way around it. There will be moments when your Zoom meeting is joined by a pantless toddler or when your important client call coincides with a crayon-on-the-wall incident. Instead of letting these moments derail you, try to laugh them off when you can.
(Pro tip: Colleagues appreciate a bit of real-life levity – many are in the same boat, and a well-timed joke about “bring your kid to work day happening every day now” can break the tension.)
Also, remind yourself of the upsides of this crazy arrangement. You’re there for the little moments. The impromptu hugs, the first steps, or funny things your kids say at lunch moments, you might miss if you were at the office. Yes, your work may get interrupted, and your patience will be tested, but you also get to bond with your children in a way that working parents of past generations could only dream of.
So, embrace the madness: wear that toddler dress-up crown during a conference call if you have to, build that pillow fort for an afternoon break, and don’t feel guilty for enjoying the midday giggles. At the end of the day, your kids will remember the time you spent with them, and you’ll have kept your sanity by finding the joy amid the chaos.
Final Thoughts
Working from home with kids will always have its challenges, but with a bit of planning, a dash of creativity, and a healthy sense of humor, it’s absolutely doable without losing your sanity.
Use these 10 tips as a starting point to craft your own playbook for balance. Every family is different, so find the rhythm that works for you.
In the grand scheme, the work-from-home juggle is a phase of life, and you will get through it. Someday, you might even miss the madness (well, parts of it!). Until then, keep calm, keep flexible, and keep those coffee refills coming. You’ve got this!
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