All of us are suddenly adapting to sharing office space with an unexpected co-worker: our significant other. It may sound fun at first, thinking you’ll spend more time together or share lunch dates or movie evenings with the kids. However, after weeks of constant togetherness, irritations are starting to grow. These tips will help you work at home peacefully with your spouse and divide the kid responsibilities among yourselves.
Arrange Separate Work Spaces
Some people are lucky enough to each have their own home office, but if you’re not one of them, try dividing the kitchen or the office you do have. You may have to work in shifts in one of you has a video conference or phone call and one needs to type up a report. The key is to keep a peaceful, productive work environment.
Realize Your Work Styles May Be Different
It may be challenging at first, but understand that your work styles may be different. You may like things totally quiet so that you can concentrate while your spouse prefers to play music to get his creative juices flowing.
Discuss Your Schedules Every Morning
Discuss your schedules each morning so you know what kinds of work each of you have planned, as well as the kids’ homework assignments. Analyze what has worked so far and what has not so you can improve on it.
Learn Which Activities Can Be Combined
Often, you’ll become overwhelmed throughout the day. Learn which items you can multi-task, such as folding the laundry while conducting a conference call. Alternatively, you can do a video chat with colleagues while taking a family walk. If the weather is nice, most workplaces have relaxed expectations.
Spend Quality Time Together
At the end of the day, stop working and sign out of all your social media programs and put down your phone. This is the time to spend time with your spouse and your family. It’s the ideal time to cook dinner together as a family and teach your kids a new recipe. Tired after a long day? Order take-out instead. Many places are offering contact-less delivery and then you can just relax and watch a family-friendly movie together or challenge each other at game night.
Let’s take care of each other. It’s important to support each other through this crisis. If you need more assistance, please contact us at (510) 949-8668.
