We've all been there! Your childcare center has to close for one reason or another, and you have to use your personal time off to stay home to watch your child or -- worse -- try to work all day with your little one hanging all over you! We all know that working from home (or a coffee shop) with kids can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can find a balance that allows you to be productive and present for your children.
Consider heading to The POP Center, which is a short drive from home that could save you hours in productivity! The owners of StoryHeights Montessori created an alternative to traditional childcare that could help you out the next time you find yourself in a childcare pinch. The POP Center is a coworking studio with built-in childcare at a fraction of the cost of traditional childcare. You can spend your day working in their cozy offices with all the amenities of home while your little one has a blast in their nearly 6500 sq feet of themed play spaces. They'll get the same experience as their traditional childcare with routines built-in for circle time, arts and crafts, snack time, and even nap time while you work with minimal interruptions. The POP Center has daily drop-in reservations available with no contracts required. You can even book their adorable space for your next birthday party.
Regardless of whether you work from home or from The POP Center, here are some tips for success:
- Set a schedule: Establish a routine that includes dedicated work hours and breaks for family time. This helps create structure for both you and your children. At The POP Center, we have a structured daily schedule for all families. Children rotate between different playrooms every 15-20 minutes to keep their attention spans fresh. The POP Center has both a morning block of work from 9-12:30 pm and an afternoon block from 1-4:30 pm with 30 minutes set aside for lunchtime so parents can enjoy some quality time with their children and staff can enjoy a break.
- Create a designated workspace: Find a quiet area where you can focus and set boundaries with your children about when you can be interrupted. At The POP Center, parents have the option to work in a quiet, kid-free zone in the adjoining office space to the playrooms. If you want to be near your child, you may opt to work inside the playrooms on our comfortable couches or convenient work tables with plenty of outlet sources and WIFI.
- Communicate with your employer: Keep your employer informed about your situation and negotiate flexible hours if needed. Your employer may even consider purchasing your POP Center membership as a benefit for your employment since your productivity is set to soar while utilizing the built-in childcare!
- Use technology to your advantage: Utilize tools like video conferencing and project management software to stay connected with colleagues and manage tasks efficiently. At The POP Center, your membership comes with access to our private phone pods and conference rooms, and you can even rent our Owl 360 Camera for all your video conferencing needs.
- Plan activities for your kids: Prepare activities or set up a designated play area to keep your kids entertained while you work. At The POP Center, we do this for you! Your kids will stay busy and entertained WITHOUT the use of electronics while you work. Whether it's working on fine motor skills, creative play, or gross motor free play, your child will stay healthy and stimulated!
- Take breaks: Schedule regular breaks to spend time with your children, which can help you recharge and improve productivity. At The POP Center, you're in charge of your schedule and your child. You can plan your breaks around your child's needs for diapering and feeding. Our staff will only interrupt your work if there's an urgent need.
- Be realistic: Accept that there will be interruptions and be flexible with your expectations. The POP Center allows you to set eager expectations. Come discover how much more productive you can be when you work from The POP Center!
- Ask for help: Don't hesitate to ask for support from your partner, family, or friends when you need it. The great thing about The POP Center is spouses can share a membership seat, switching off days and times of who gets to work from home while the other partner heads to The POP Center office with the children.
By following these tips, you can navigate the challenges of working from home with kids and find a balance that works for you and your family. Book your 2-hour trial now to see how The POP Center can make working from home the most desired method of working to bring you the most home-life balance!
