I’ve been working from home for a little over 5 years now. Three of those years I also worked outside of the home in the evenings and overnights. For the last two years I have been working at home with twins.
My adorably rambunctious and destructively amazing twins that have made me readjust and find balance in my work at home life. I’ve had days where I wanted to pull my hair out and hide under the covers and cry.
The crying did and still does happen on occasion. But I’ve also had a lot of days where I am in awe of these two little munchkins that are growing way to fast right before my eyes.
In the past 48+ months I have struggled, faced challenges, and learned to manage a work at home life with twins. No matter what work at home job you have, these 3 Secrets to Working at Home with Twins can help you.
3 Secrets to Working at Home with Twins
#1 Create a Safety “Net”work of people who can help you. Working from home means there are times when work needs your undivided attention.
For me it’s business calls, hosting Twitter Parties, and meeting post deadlines that don’t mix well with toddler tantrums and diaper explosions. Those are the times I reach out for help, especially if it’s something I know is on the schedule. Having someone from the Safety “Net”work come play with the twins for an hour, allows you to focus, and them to be supervised.
#2 Create a Schedule that Works, not just a schedule for schedule’s sake. It honestly took me a good year to figure out the best schedule for us and I just revamped it last month when the twins turned two.
Nap time changed so the schedule had to change, and this new schedule is working out really well so far. For me, it was easier to make my work fit into their schedule.
During morning cartoon time I can check my emails, then follow that up with story time to balance things out. I do the work that takes longer and more focus during nap time, because I need at least 90 minutes. You have to find a schedule that works for you, or it will work against you in the long run.
#3 Get Out Of The House and I’m not talking the grocery store and Walgreens. Plan day time outings with other friends who have kids, check out the local daytime events in the area that are targeted at little kids or plan a lunch date at grandma’s house.
Getting out of the house when you work from home, especially during the Winter, can help you stay motivated and keep the blahs at bay. At least it does for me. Make sure some of that getting out of the house also involves Me Time because you also need to recharge after a day or working and motherhood at the same time.
What are your secrets to working at home with kids?
Ellen Christian says
I cannot imagine working at home with twins. I had a hard enough time with mine 4 years apart!
Lucy Abram says
I have 3 year old twin daughters who started nursery (kindergarten) in January.. To most sensible # normal mums this would be an opportunity to have a coffee/nap/housework however I decided to climb over my mums 7ft fence in heels and break into her garage, she was out so I wasn’t breaking the law, then managed to climb over the aladins cave of items stored in her garage to find my massage bed.. This allowed me to the set up my at home beauty room called Rhiwbina Beauty. In just a month I’ve set up a great business where I’m fully booked most days and everyone is loving my high quality bit very low cost treatments which fits perfectly around my little pair of mini tornados! Am meeting lovely people who are so happy with their pampering and haven’t looked back for one second. Life is busy, a juggling act and have to make sure my appointments don’t coincide with the twins being home otherwise they will burst into the beauty room asking for their turn to have their nails Done! Think it’s very important for all mums, not only twin mums to know that you can have your own business that fits perfectly around your family life. Thanks so much for your inspirational blog post and wish you lots of luck in the future xxxxx
Lisa Collins says
Thank you for sharing Lucy! I love what you are doing with your time while the girls are in school and I agree with you on being able to have business that fits in with family life! Thanks for stopping and chatting!
Nikki says
I have an only child and it was challenging when he was younger. I can’t imagine doing it with twins! He’s 9 now. Actually, it’s STILL challenging. I think he’s more demanding now than when he was a toddler. These are really great tips for anyone working at home with kids.
Lisa Collins says
They do seem to get more demanding as they get older!
Kathleen Bailey says
Great tips thank you! I don’t have twins but I do have 4 kids and occasionally 5 when my step-son is visiting.