Working from home is easy to say, but not always easy to do - for all those who have suddenly changed their work habits - the walls of the house have been turned into an office, but also a school, if they have small children to take care of.

In this period of forced family cohabitation it is difficult to have a place where you can work quietly and in isolation, with fixed schedules and an iron discipline. Moreover, since in most families, the mental load and that of housework falls mainly on women, housework becomes exhausting.

According to a survey, one in three women is working harder than before and finds it difficult to maintain a work-life balance. Performed on 1,300 men and women working from home, the survey highlights the need to divide homework between two partners. But, after all, this is not something new.

Below are some small strategies to put them into practice if you work from home with your children 'on foot'

1. Be honest with your boss. Let us know which are the most suitable schedules for you for meetings, video conferencing or sending emails. Try to organize meetings when children usually have bedtime. If children need you more in the morning, let them know that you will start work around noon. If you are direct with your boss, you will earn points and be more productive.

2. Schedule tours with your partner. Divide the day into shifts depending on your daily work, in order to avoid discussions and quarrels. Divided work, for example two hours one and then another three hours; three hours one or two hours may be a little stressful, but in the end it will give you the opportunity to isolate yourself and focus on work, and you will not be forced to constantly care for children.

3. Try to organize the day. Try to maintain the routine you had before. In times when there are no video tutorials, especially for younger children - try to keep them busy, organizing games that do not require excessive supervision - for example with drawings or games with constructions . If you make a daily or weekly activity plan - help your children cope with less stress.

4. Manage your stay in front of the TV screen in a healthy way. Although to date we have avoided as much as possible that television made babysitter, we are living in an unprecedented situation and we are all in a survival mode. In these times, by not exaggerating and selecting programs, you can make some tolerances and give children the opportunity to watch more documentaries, movies for their age, scientific or creative programs. Without feeling guilty.

5. Take advantage of the situation to create something special. You can make the time of "prison" at home special by taking a 15-minute break and playing together, or trying to cook something new with them. By devoting time, they will make fewer whims and feel that they are the center of your attention and love.

6. Make peace with the fact that you are not perfect. When working with children at home, you can't always be 100 percent productive. You will surely lose speed and concentration. You can share this weight with your partner, but the distraction is nearby. You cannot claim to have the same efficiency as your non-child colleagues. In some cases, you may not be able to meet the deadlines in others, yes. However, it is important to carry out all the tasks assigned to you, with the necessary care.

* Eleonora Giovinazzo
Source: Repubblica
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