ENTERTAINING THE KIDS WHILE WFH

The work-from-home (WFH) model of working is both a blessing and a curse, especially now that our kids are on school holiday…

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We’ve been saying ‘WFH’ for a few years now in the same way we used to say ‘hello’ to co-workers. Remote and hybrid working models have become the norm, and while many of us find the flexibility wonderful, parents often battle to set boundaries and alleviate the guilt of having to cut playtime short because of meetings and work responsibilities.

As journalist Amy Westervelt said of mothers in her book Forget Having It All, “We expect women to work like they don’t have children and raise children as if they don’t work.” If you’re struggling to think of ways to keep your kids entertained without you needing to leave your desk too often, we’ve got some good advice.

ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENT PLAY
We often tell our kids what to do and how to do it. They don’t get much time to be by themselves and simply mess around. Independent play allows them to play without interruption, being as creative as they’d like, and figure things out on their own.

Designate a space in your home where they can play alone, choosing an area with items that you’re sure will be safe to play with and won’t require you to keep watch over them constantly. If you’re home alone, put their space close to where you’re working so you can still check up on them without getting involved.

A well-designed play area, with their toys and other engaging activities, stimulates imaginative play and encourages them to be active. If your child wants to explore around the house, let them, but ensure that the space is safe enough.

If you have a safe backyard or garden, which you can see from your desk, consider creating a cool kiddies playground – or set up a DIY tent or shelter (made from sheets) for them to play under.

KEEP A CRAFT BIN
Activities like scrapbooking seem a little outdated to us, but kids don’t think so. They love cutting out pictures, pasting things on paper and using glitter and stickers. What they also love is getting dirty and splish-splashing all over.

Keep a bin of craft and art supplies and other creative materials (paint, paper, stamp moulds, crayons, colouring books etc). When you go on your next outdoor outing, pick up seashells, pine cones and smooth stones for them to bring home and decorate.

WE OFTEN TELL OUR KIDS WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT. THEY DON’T GET MUCH TIME TO SIMPLY MESS AROUND.

USE VISUAL DEVICES
Yes, digital devices should be kept to a minimum, but if all else fails, giving your kids a little extra screentime during the holidays – when you’re trying to meet a deadline – won’t hurt. If you don’t want them to watch another episode of Barbie or Boss Baby or worse, download a few picture books or educational games that will keep them stimulated.

Speaking of books, create a mini library in your home of visually engaging actual books that they will want to read. You can source great kids’ books for a steal at flea markets and charity or second-hand shops (and make sure to add a book or two to Santa’s list).

COMMUNICATE
As much as you’d like to stop what you’re doing to spend time with your kids, you also have work responsibilities. Discuss with your partner about taking turns supervising the children, especially when either one of you is swamped.

If you’re working alone at home, calmly explain the situation to your child, and that you need to be left alone for a bit before you can spend time with them. Just like they need to concentrate on school homework in term time, you need to do the same with your work.

Words by: Saadiqah Schroeder

Photography: Gella/Getty Images , Freepik