Winter Break Survival Guide for Parents Working from Home"
Let's be honest – winter break can feel like an Olympic sport for parents working from home. One minute you're in a Zoom meeting discussing Q4 projections, and the next, you're breaking up a sibling battle over the last hot chocolate packet. Been there, done that!
Remember how teachers prep their lessons? Take a page from their book. Each evening, set up activities for the next day.
I learned this hack the hard way after one too many "I'm bored" interruptions during client calls.
Create activity stations around your house – think art supplies in one corner, board games in another, and maybe a cozy reading nook somewhere else.
Time-Blocking: Your New Best Friend
Here's what works for my family:
8:00-10:00 AM: Deep work while kids have breakfast and morning activities
10:00-12:00 PM: Work meetings while kids have structured activities: I set them up with Art ( big art projects) or Legos
12:00-1:00 PM: Family lunch
1:00-2:00 PM: Outdoor Time: We work with laptops so I set it up to watch them play right in the backyard
2:00-3:00 PM: Quiet time (younger kids rest/older kids read). We also use this time for the kids to use educational toys that aren’t screens! But they do this in separate areas of the house.
3:00-5:00 PM: Work wrap-up while kids have screen time
Let's drop the guilt about screen time during break. The key is quality over quantity. I schedule screen time during my most important meetings or deadlines.
Image Credit: @thestandingdesk
Pro tip: PBS Kids, educational apps, and virtual museum tours count as enrichment activities in my book!
Creating a "Do Not Disturb" System
My 4-year-old used to think every closed door was an invitation to knock. We developed a simple traffic light system to make it fun!
Red paper on door = Emergency only
Yellow = Quick questions okay
Green = Come on in!
Another option:
Open door= Come on In! (Office always means no loud talking/yelling & headphones if electronic use.)
Closed door= In a Meeting (No interruptions, other parent or caregiver to watch)
The Importance of "Flexible Flexibility"…
Some days, everything will go according to plan. Other days, you'll be typing one-handed while making grilled cheese with the other. That's okay! The goal isn't perfection; it's finding a rhythm that works most of the time.
Schedule meetings with 15-minute gaps when possible. These buffers are lifesavers for handling unexpected kid situations, like spontaneous art projects gone wrong (RIP living room wall) or impromptu snack emergencies.
Set up workstations where your kids can "work" alongside you. My daughter loves her mini desk next to mine, complete with her own "laptop" (an old keyboard) and important "papers" to shuffle through. Sometimes she'll even join my video calls with her own stuffed animal meetings!
Keep an emergency activity box for those moments when you absolutely need 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. Fill it with special toys, craft supplies, or activities that only come out during crucial work moments. The novelty factor buys you precious minutes of peace.
Remember, winter break is temporary. Your kids won't remember that you had to take that urgent call, but they will remember the hot chocolate breaks, the impromptu dance parties between meetings, and the extra hugs squeezed in between emails.
Working from home with kids during winter break is a delicate dance of productivity and presence. Some days you'll nail it, others you'll feel like you're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Both are normal, and both are okay.
What strategies have worked for you during school breaks? Share your tips in the comments below!
