Balancing one’s work and home life is no easy feat. So, being able to work from home and be with their family would surely be a walk in the park, right?

Well, not really. That’s what a lot of working parents are now realizing as they get used to this new setup as the lockdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic are yet to be lifted. That said, here are some clever ideas on how to keep kids busy so parents can focus on working.

No Noise Games

Younger children can be easily bribed and parents should use this to find ways to get them occupied for a couple of minutes. For example, promising kids their favorite treats as a prize for certain games will motivate them to keep to the rules.

And the best games to play around a full house are quiet ones. Think along the lines of hide and seek and the like.

Parents can even buy themselves more time to work on their deliverables or attend a virtual meeting by suggesting difficult hiding spots to prolong the game.

Getting Kids Involved

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On workdays that aren’t as hectic as others, parents can even involve their kids in their work-related activities. Older children can help out by tidying up the home office or even organizing some files.

Meanwhile, younger kids can be asked to do some easy chores around the house. This would be like hitting two birds with one stone as the children get to feel helpful while striking off items from their mom or dad’s task list.

Keep Them Entertained

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If one has already used the tips above yet still need more time to themselves to work, they can always resort to playing a movie or a television show for their kids.

Just make sure to limit their screen time to just a few hours as being glued to the television or iPad for stretches of time isn’t good for the kids. Parents can also choose to restrict what their children watch online to only educational content by setting limits on their devices.

Fun Activities

ArturVerkhovetskiy/Deposit Photos — Spending an afternoon outside is a healthier alternative

To give kids a break from the television, working parents can keep them occupied for hours by giving them an art project to do. This can mean anything from simply getting out their coloring set to allow them to use other materials such as plastic or newspaper.

One downside to this though is that a parent would probably need to clean up after these activities. So, for something less messy, encourage kids to play outside as one stays on the sidelines to work while watching over them.