Summer is here, bringing sunshine, longer days, and a whole new set of challenges for work-from-home parents. Balancing Zooms with pool time, meeting deadlines while organizing playdates, and finding moments of quiet concentration amidst the chaos—it’s a juggling act that requires a balance of creativity, flexibility, and patience.
If you’re already dreading the upcoming summer break, don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Our summer survival guide is packed with practical tips and sanity-saving advice to help you navigate (and endure?) these sunny months. From setting up a kid-friendly workspace to organizing your daily schedule, we’re here to help you thrive every step of the way.
Setting Up a Summer-Friendly Workspace
Finding the perfect spot in your home to set up your summer workspace can make a huge difference in your focus and productivity. Ideally, you’ll want a space away from the hustle and bustle of family life. (If you’ve been working at your kitchen island or on the playroom sectional, it’s time to decamp.) In our pandemic-informed experience, a dedicated space in a quiet corner of a spare room or bedroom with a door you can close is a must. A closed door helps your kiddos and other caregivers know when you’re working and, barring an emergency, shouldn’t be disturbed.
Once you’ve picked your spot, it’s time to make it a productive (or productive adjacent—let’s keep it real) space. Start by decluttering your area. Research shows that clutter leads to anxiety, stress, and a lack of focus. Noise-canceling headphones can be a lifesaver if your kids are playing nearby. Setting up a visual boundary, like a closed door or even a simple “do not disturb” sign, can help signal to your little ones when you need uninterrupted work time. And don’t forget to schedule regular breaks to check in with your kids and allow everyone to regroup.
If your kiddos are still little and require more supervision, try setting up fun activities and toys nearby. Encourage fort building. Create a mini workstation for them with arts and crafts supplies, puzzles, books, and their favorite treasures. If your kids are old enough, a tablet with educational apps and games can be a lifesaver (and listen, sometimes Roblox is childcare). Creating a cozy reading nook or a small play area close to your workspace can keep them entertained and within sight so you can work without losing your mind.
Creating Kid-Friendly Routines
Humans—even the tiniest ones—thrive on routine and consistent schedules. But here’s the trick: Flexibility is critical. A schedule that is too rigid can lead to frustration and make adapting to an unexpected meeting or toddler meltdown nearly impossible. Aim for a routine that provides structure but allows for spontaneity (or, more likely, tantrums). This balance will help you stay productive while ensuring your children feel secure and cared for.
Balancing Work Hours and Family Time
Finding harmony between work and family time is essential for your sanity and your kids’ happiness. Start by setting clear boundaries: Designate specific work hours and clearly communicate these to your family. Use visual aids like a color-coded calendar to show when you’re available and when you’re in “work mode.” During family time, be fully present. Put away your phone, close the laptop, and start a booty-shaking Bluey dance party. (It’s easy to forget that a little bit of fun goes a long way with kiddos—it doesn’t take much to fill their cups.)
- Pro parent tip: If you’re lucky enough to have children that sleep in, super-charge your productivity by squeezing in a few hours of work before they wake up. Uninterrupted time to focus equals mega efficiency and can take the pressure off the rest of your workday.
Break Time is Playtime
Breaks aren’t just for coffee—they’re opportunities to connect with your kiddos (while sipping a latte). Schedule regular intervals where you step away from your desk and engage with your kids. Sneak in a quick game of hide-and-seek, read a book together, or have a picnic snack in the backyard. Being playful is a great way to recharge and refocus, and can be the perfect antidote to a stressful Zoom or looming deadline.
Sample Daily Schedules
Boy, do those summer days feel long, and figuring out how to fill the hours can be daunting. But creating a sample schedule tailored to your kiddos’s age and stage can make your days smoother. Here are a few examples:
For Toddlers (Ages 1-3):
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast and morning cuddle time
- 8:00 AM: Independent play (toys, books) while you check emails
- 9:30 AM: Outdoor play or a short walk
- 10:00 AM: Snack break together
- 10:30 AM: Nap time (focus work session for you)
- Noon: Lunch and storytime
- 1:00 PM: Arts and crafts or sensory play
- 2:30 PM: Quiet time (puzzles, drawing) or nap time and your work catch-up
- 4:00 PM: Afternoon snack and outdoor play
- 5:00 PM: Family time and dinner prep
For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5):
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast and planning the day’s activities together
- 8:00 AM: Educational activities (learning apps, puzzles) while you work
- 9:30 AM: Interactive play (building blocks, dress-up)
- 10:30 AM: Snack and storytime
- 11:00 AM: Creative time (painting, playdough) while you handle tasks
- 12:30 PM: Lunch and outdoor play
- 2:00 PM: Quiet time/nap (you work on focused tasks)
- 3:30 PM: Snack and indoor games
- 4:30 PM: Family activity or TV time while you wrap up work
- 5:30 PM: Dinner and evening routine
For School-Age Kids (Ages 6-10):
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast and discuss the day’s plan
- 8:00 AM: Schoolwork or educational games
- 10:00 AM: Break and physical activity (bike ride, jumping rope)
- 10:30 AM: Independent play or reading while you work
- Noon: Lunch and chat about their morning
- 1:00 PM: Quiet activities (Legos, drawing) and your work block
- 3:00 PM: Snack and shared activity (board game, baking)
- 4:00 PM: Outdoor play or sports
- 5:30 PM: Family dinner and unwind
These schedules are just starting points. Customize them to fit your family’s needs and tweak them as necessary. The goal is to create a rhythm that keeps everyone happy and productive, allowing everyone to enjoy the summer without sacrificing your work commitments.
Keep your expectations realistic—kids aren’t going to keep themselves entertained for hours. Your little ones will need time to adjust and plenty of reminders about what’s okay and not while you’re working. Patience and practice are key.
Encouraging Independent Play and Responsibility
Encouraging independent play is a win-win for parents and children. It helps kids develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-reliance. Feeling stumped? Here are some tried-and-true Albee Baby parent suggestions to kickstart a brainstorm:
- Arts and Crafts: Set up a dedicated arts and crafts station with supplies like colored paper, crayons, glue, stickers, kiddie scissors, and glitter. Encourage your little artists to let their imaginations run wild, scribbling Crayola masterpieces, drawing their own comic strip, or creating a treasure map.
- Sensory Bins: Create a sensory bin filled with rice, pasta, or beans and add small toys, scoops, and containers. These bins are practically magic and can keep preschoolers engaged for a long time as they explore different textures and practice scooping and pouring. If you’re building a bin for your baby, you will need to build your bin with safety in mind. Babies will explore with their mouths, so be careful not to include choking hazards, and consider using an edible filler, like cereal.
- Pretend Play and Dress Up: Create a dress-up corner with costumes and props. Preschoolers love pretend play, whether they’re acting out scenes as superheroes, doctors, or chefs. PS We couldn’t recommend investing in a play kitchen more—your kiddo will play with it for years.
- Physical Play: It’s always a good idea to supply an outlet for your kiddo’s pent-up energy. Let them build forts with the couch cushions or create an obstacle course. Encourage older siblings to lead a workout class or play the Hokey Pokey with the littlest kiddos in your crew. And if the kids can’t agree on what to do, turn to the working parent’s BFF, YouTube (we love Jack Hartmann, Ms. Rachel, and Cosmic Kids Yoga for indoor exercise, storytime, and learning).
- Building Blocks: Building blocks (like LEGO or wooden blocks) are fantastic for sparking creativity, strengthening hand-eye coordination, and developing fine motor skills. Encourage your child to build towers, houses, a zoo, or anything they can imagine—the sky is the limit.
- Reading: Grab the kids and set up a cozy reading nook together. Your mini library should be age-appropriate—picture books for toddlers, simple sentence and word books for preschoolers, and I-Can-Read books for early elementary schoolers. Most little kids won’t occupy themselves reading independently for too long, so have older siblings lead storytime.
- Puzzles and Board Games: Age-appropriate puzzles and board games are great for independent play. They help develop problem-solving skills, foster cooperative learning, and can be very absorbing, giving you some quiet time to focus on your work.
- Play Dough: Homemade or store-bought play dough is a versatile activity that helps build hand strength and fine motor skills. Best of all, your kitchen has all the supplies you need: Cookie cutters, rolling pins, and plastic utensils all inspire creative play. They can make shapes, animals, or whatever they can imagine.
Set up a childproofed play area full of stimulating toys and materials to make it easy on yourself. Rotating toys can keep things fresh and exciting. Compliment their efforts and show interest in what they’re doing—it reinforces their confidence and encourages more independent play. And when all else fails, remember that it’s okay for kids to get bored.
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Lean on the Older Kids for Household Management
Delegating household tasks doesn’t just lighten your load but also teaches your kids responsibility, accountability, and self-sufficiency. Create a chore chart and assign age-appropriate tasks to each kiddo. Older children can help with laundry, meal prep, and tidying up, while the littles can handle simple tasks like setting the table or sorting toys. Turn chores into a family activity by playing music or making them a game. Sincerely praise their efforts and celebrate the teamwork! Congrats, you’re raising good humans.
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Use Support Systems and Community Resources
As much as we’d like to be super parents, it’s okay to acknowledge that we all need a little help sometimes. If your budget permits, exploring childcare options can provide that much-needed support. If you have family nearby, accept their help—grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even older cousins can be lifesavers.
Have neighbors who are also juggling work and kids at home? Team up and trade childcare duties. You can take turns watching the kids while the other parent gets some focused work time. If you’re not quite on that level with your neighbors, think about reaching out to local friends or family in the same boat. Create a rotating schedule where multiple families pitch in.
Another great option is a nanny-share: Split the nanny’s time between your house and a friend’s or neighbor’s place. A nanny co-op allows your kids to socialize and makes it easier to find a nanny, as they often prefer full-time hours.
Pay attention to the wealth of resources available right in your community. Local libraries, community centers, and parks often offer summer programs and activities for families juggling work and school holidays. Storytime sessions, craft workshops, and sports leagues can keep your kids engaged and provide a nice change of scenery.
Coordinate and Communicate with Your Co-parent
Teamwork makes the dream work, especially when it comes to parenting. Sit down with your partner or co-parent and create a shared schedule that balances work, household duties, and family time. Discuss your peak productivity hours and plan around them. Maybe one of you is a morning person while the other thrives in the evening—use these preferences to your advantage. Regular check-ins to adjust and tweak the schedule will keep things running smoothly. Remember, you’re in this together; open communication is the key to effectively sharing responsibilities.
From setting up a summer-friendly workspace and establishing a flexible routine to engaging your kids with self-directed activities and mastering time management strategies—you’re now equipped with a toolkit to navigate the summer as a work-from-home parent.
There will be days when everything falls into place and days when it feels like constant chaos. Embrace the messiness and remember that it’s okay to adjust and pivot as needed. Patience—with your kids, your partner, and most importantly, yourself—will make the summer, if not enjoyable, tolerable. You’ve got this.
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents and hope you feel empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or [email protected].