Parenting and Working from Home During the Festive Holidays:

The festive season can be an exciting (and busy!) time for many. But for all the joy this season can bring, it can also be particularly stressful for working parents. As a professional in a remote or hybrid role, there are already several challenges that can come with juggling a career with family life in the same space. Now with children being home for the holidays, other family members visiting, and arranging festivities, things can get overwhelming. Below, we offer six practical tips for how you can still enjoy the coming weeks while working from home and remaining productive.

1. Arrange Quiet Time Activities

Even if your partner, another family member, or a childminder is watching your child at home while your work, the festive excitement often means a noisier home filled with distractions! Consider organising some quieter activities that your child can enjoy and engage with so that you can maintain a productive work environment – at least for as many hours as it’ll take to get through your more consuming bits of work.

Colouring is one suggestion, depending on your child’s age. Offer some festive-theme colouring books, or even print some colouring pages. Also consider some board games, or arts and crafts. Your child can even make decorations such as paper snowflakes or greeting cards. Another fun suggestion is for them to create some custom gift wrap using a large roll of paper.

2. Utilise Flexible Working

With festive food shopping, arranging celebrations, and wrapping presents on your mind, you might find it beneficial to take advantage of flexible working hours. If your employer allows, consider adjusting your work schedule during this time.

This could involve starting work earlier or logging back in for an hour or two in the evenings once your child/children have gone to sleep. While this approach might not suit everyone’s work style, it might help you to complete tasks that are difficult to manage during your usual working hours, plus squeeze some extra time in with the family.

3. Involve Your Child with Festive Tasks

This one is more so for teenagers or older children, but you might want to consider involving them in tasks that need to be completed during this busy season while you work. For instance, they could run errands such as picking up a few food items or last-minute gifts. They could also assist with decluttering decorations before you all get together to decorate or make telephone bookings for a family meal or activity, for example.

Doing so can not only help you manage your workload but also teach your tween or teen responsibility and the value of contributing to family tasks. Plus, they might even find this to be a fun way to enjoy their time off school!

4. Consider Relaxing Screen Time Rules

Every parent has different rules regarding screen time, and this is a personal decision that only you can make. However, during the festive holidays, you may consider relaxing these rules a little. This could mean allowing an extra hour or so of screen time, with your child having no, or little homework to worry about. So, with the potential for boredom setting in, your child might benefit from this flexibility.

There are many educational and seasonal games and activities available online that your children can enjoy. Additionally, you can set appropriate restrictions to ensure their screen time remains safe.

5. Accept Childcare Support

Many people choose to take some time off during this period. Therefore, this might mean having the helping hand of an additional trusted family member who is already at home looking after your child. If family members offer to help out, don’t feel bad about accepting. Having them take your child out for the day can give you more time to concentrate at work and provide your child with a fun festive experience, such as visiting a display, going out for a meal, or playing in the snow (weather permitting!).

Remember, the responsibility doesn’t have to fall entirely on you, especially since you are still working. This way, you can maintain your productivity while ensuring your child enjoys the holiday season and extra time to bond with family.

6. Go Easy on Yourself

Working from home as a parent is challenging at any time of the year, and even more so during the holidays. Try not to feel guilty if you can’t spend as much time with your family as you would like because of work commitments. Balancing work and family life is an ongoing juggle, and it’s okay to acknowledge that you are doing your best – and that your best is good enough. Remember, the holidays are about quality time, not just quantity. Even if you can’t be present for every moment, the time you do spend with your family can still be meaningful and special.