Working From Home Parents
Facts, Links, Books, and Videos to help support families with parents who work from home.
Kate Newell, Colleen Morisette, Sarah White, Grace Ludwig
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic,
parents' work and home lives have become intertwined. Pew Research states that "roughly six-in-ten U.S. workers who say their jobs can mainly be done from home (59%) are working from home all or most of the time" (Parker et al., 2022). As a result, parents’ work environments have become reshaped. Working from home parents have to juggle work and family responsibilities such as ensuring their kids are occupied, safe, and taken care of while also satisfying their work demands.
Some tips to help manage these responsibilities are to:
-not multitask to increase productivity and reduce feelings of burnout (Cooks-Campbell, 2022)
-create toy bags or play stations for children to be occupied
-create a schedule where you can check in on your child, feed them, and take care of whatever needs are necessary
-let your boss aware of your situation
-establish work and play areas so children and other family members are aware of boundaries
-establish a routine to assist you and your child (Capital One, 2023)
Check out the link to the Parents at Work podcast below! It is an excellent resource for parents who are looking for ways to balance their professional development and parental responsibilities. They cover a wide array of topics ranging from mental health to working in government relations and public affairs. Each month, they bring in a new expert to share their insights into “what it takes to successfully support your work and personal wellbeing” (Parents at Work, 2023).
Benefits of Working from Home
80% of employees would be more loyal to employers if provided flexible work options as of 2022.
84% of employees are happier when they work from home as of 2022.
Telecommuting productivity statistics reveal that working remotely saves nearly 500 dollars monthly.
Tips & Resources for Working From Home
How companies can assist parents working from home
Offer flex time or offer parents to make their own schedule
Provide backup childcare
Assist with family costs other than child care such as remote learning stations, Disney+ memberships, and books
Additional paid leave: specific number of family days, daycare emergencies, mental health days
Resources
Capital One. (2023). How to Work From Home With Kids. https://www.capitalonecareers.com/how-to-work-from-home-with-kids-101-cul
Child Care Financial Assistance Options. Child Care Financial Assistance Options | Childcare.gov. (n.d.). https://childcare.gov/consumer-education/get-help-paying-for-child-care#:~:text=Head%20Start%20and%20Early%20Head%20Start%20are%20available%20at%20no,in%20your%20state%20or%20territory.
Cooks-Campbell, A. (2022). How to Work From Home With Kids: 12 Tips For Remote and Hybrid Work. Better Up. https://www.betterup.com/blog/working-from-home-with-kids
Dimovski, A. (2023, March 31). 25 Fascinating Work From Home Statistics. GoRemotely. https://goremotely.net/blog/work-from-home-statistics/
Hastwell, C. (2020, April 14). 4 Ways Your Company Can Support Working Parents During COVID-19. Great Place To Work®. https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/4-ways-your-company-can-support-working-parents-during-covid-19
Malone, AKM. (Host). (2020-2023). [Audio podcast episode]. In Yes, I Work From Home. Careers. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yes-i-work-from-home/id1532836431
North, A. (2023, July 31). The unexpected pitfalls of work-from-home parenthood. Vox. https://www.vox.com/even-better/2023/7/31/23807375/remote-hybrid-wfh-work-parents-moms-parenting
Parker, K., Horowitz, J., & Minkin, R. (2022). COVID-19 Pandemic Continues To Reshape Work in America. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/02/16/covid-19-pandemic-continues-to-reshape-work-in-america/
Parents At Work. (2023). Parents at Work Podcasts. https://parentsandcarersatwork.com/parents-at-work-podcasts/
Phan, L. L. (2020, December 23). 15 Thoughtful Ways Companies Can Support Parents Working From Home . Compt. https://www.compt.io/hr-articles/ways-to-support-parents-working-from-home
YouTube. (2021, November 8). What working parents really need from workplaces | The way we work, a TED series. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x672EKnKLtA