5 Tips for Working from Home With Kids

working from home with kids

Being a working parent is really hard. Working from home with kids is — you guessed it —extremely hard. In fact, 87% of parents we surveyed in November 2020 said that working from home without childcare is “difficult” or “very difficult.” Though many parents have had a “one off working-from-home day” when a kid is sick, the reality of working remotely every single day alongside your kids has been a steep learning curve for a lot of people during COVID. Here are some expert tips for working from home with kids.

1. Get Creative With Your Schedule

If you have another adult home with you, consider a split schedule. Parents can discuss their work schedules as a team the night before to determine who is more available at different times of the day.

Of course, it may not be possible to get all your work done during regular business hours if you’re also on duty with the kids, so staggering your work times with your partner, or working in the evening when the kids are in bed might be the right option for you. However you choose to split your schedule, you will have to retrain your mind to focus during your new “business” hours.

2.  Communicate with your employer & coworkers

It is probable that with toddlers or kids at home who are participating in virtual schooling at home, you will need to make schedule adjustments. It will also be necessary to communicate your needs and your schedule adjustments with your employer.

However, communicating with coworkers is also essential, because even with the best-laid plans, your children will interrupt your work. They’ll scream just as you unmute during a conference call. They’ll bomb your video meetings. Or you may just need to take them outside for 30 minutes so they can burn off energy. Your coworkers will be more understanding about all the interruptions if you warn them ahead of time.

It’s also important to remember, you are not alone. You are not the only one that is seeking flexibility in their work schedule, and you are not the only parent balancing work with distance learning. It’s likely that your employer and some of your coworkers are experiencing the struggles as you are, and if not, they are at least now more understanding than ever.

3. Claim a dedicated workspace

One of the most important suggestions is to be able to close a door and work in isolation. Find a room with a door you can shut, if possible. Even a table in a bedroom is preferable to working at a kitchen table where there can be abundant distractions.

If space is an issue, visual cues become extra important. Putting on headphones, using masking tape on the floor to mark the “walls” of your office, or even putting up a stop sign where you are working can be a signal for your children that they need to be quiet. Conversely, take the headphones off, come out of your “office” or put the stop sign down when you are ok to be interrupted.

4. Take breaks

Working for a few hours in the early morning or evening gives you the opportunity to take breaks during the day. During your “off” time, play with the kids, preside over schoolwork, or get outside. Consider drawing, board games, dance parties, and even scavenger hunts. That one- on-one time is something your kids will appreciate when they can’t have your undivided attention later.

And of course, just as important as it is to spend that time with your kids, it’s just as important for you and your partner to take some of those breaks for yourself. Patience and energy levels are running at all time lows for most people these days, so go for a walk or maybe read that article you have been wanting to read, your mental health will thank you.

5. Hire a caregiver/tutor

Let’s be honest. Working from home with kids present is unbelievably hard, and there is no shame in admitting you need help. Hiring a caregiver, or a tutor to help your kids with their virtual classes, might be exactly what you need to be more productive.

Talk with your employer about childcare benefit options. Having your employer provide access and subsidies through services such as UrbanSitter will allow you to easily find trusted and reliable childcare and tutors, occasionally or for part-time, full-time, virtual, or backup care.

2020 continues to be an unprecedented year, and we do not yet know what 2021 will bring. What we do know is that working from home with kids is becoming more mainstream, and we need to continue to make the adjustments accordingly. Bend the rules, whether it’s allowing some extra screen time or giving your kids a snack they wouldn’t normally have. Parents need to cut themselves some slack, and most importantly give themselves a little grace right now.

Learn more about UrbanSitter’s childcare benefit options for employers.

5 Steps to Find a Good Babysitter

There comes a point in every parent’s life when they have to find a good babysitter but you don’t just want to find a good babysitter, you want to find a great babysitter! Finding the right babysitter for your family will give you the peace of mind you need to leave your child at home knowing they’ll be safe and secure.

STEP 1: GET RECOMMENDATIONS

Get personal recommendations from people you trust. This is hands-down the absolute best way to find a good babysitter. Ask friends, family, church members, coworkers, moms at preschool, or moms’ group pals if they have any recommendations of sitters they use and like – don’t be shy about it. Your friends know you and your parenting style, so they’ll be able to refer you to sitters that would be good for your family. It saves you a lot of time in your babysitter search.

You can use UrbanSitter to make this easy. Connect with friends on our babysitting app.

If you don’t have friends who use babysitters, or you’re new to the area, you can ask neighbors (UrbanSitter also allows you to connect with neighborhood sitters near you). It’s a great way to meet new people. If that’s not really your thing, you can search online sites or post on a nearby college job board.

STEP 2: CONDUCT A “WEED-OUT” INTERVIEW

You can tell a lot about a sitter by asking a few simple questions. This can be over the phone, chat, or email.  The tone of their voice or answers to a few key questions can tell you a lot about whether you would feel comfortable with them.  You’re looking for a sitter who’s a good fit for your family. Someone with similar values and a compatible personality. Use the weed-out interview to weed out any sitters that you don’t “click” with. Take a look at our Questions to Ask a Babysitter post for what to ask them.

STEP 3: INTERVIEW THEM IN YOUR HOME

Arrange a time for the babysitter to come to your home and meet your child. See how they interact with your child. If you’re comfortable, leave the sitter with the child while you take a walk around the block or go out for a short period of time, even just 20 minutes. For a complete list of questions, check out the Questions to Ask a Babysitter post.

Beyond listening to the answers to their questions, here are some finer points to look for:

  • Did the babysitter arrive on time? If they show up to the interview on time, it’s a good indication that they’ll show up to your jobs on time.
  • How did they greet the child? Did they get down to the child’s height and introduce themselves warmly? Did they seem comfortable with the child?
  • How did they greet you? Were they professional and respectful?
  • When you left the room, how did the sitter handle that initial handoff?
  • When you returned, how did the sitter act? It’s possible the child may cry while you’re gone, especially if you haven’t left your child before. This is normal. Your sitter could be the most loving, wonderful babysitter in the world, but the child may still cry. It takes time for sitters and children to develop a relationship. The thing to look for is how the sitter handled it when your child cried. Did they look frazzled, overwhelmed, or impatient when you returned? If they did, then it’s probably not the right babysitter for your child. You’re looking for someone who can maintain a calm, patient demeanor when faced with a crying child.
  • If you have animals, observe how the babysitter interacted with them as well. They’re part of the family too. Did they feel comfortable with your animals?

STEP 4: CHECK BABYSITTER’S REFERENCES

If the babysitter wasn’t referred by a friend and you can’t read reviews on their online profile, ask for 2-3 references and call them.

STEP 5: TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

You know best. If you don’t feel comfortable with the babysitter for any reason, don’t leave your child with them.

Once you find that great babysitter, learn how to keep them.

How to find a sitter for your pandemic pod

pod sitter

With many schools going online-only or adopting staggered schedules with distance learning days, some families are banding together to form at-home “pandemic pods” to provide child care, structure, socialization and educational help for their pod of children.

Here are a few tips to finding a pod sitter or nanny to teach, tutor, or supervise for your pandemic pod, or visit our Guide to Pandemic Pods for a full step-by-step guide to forming and running your pod.

Determine your needs and budget

What you are looking for in a pod sitter and how much you’re willing to pay? If your pod is academically focused a.k.a. a “learning pod,” you may want a sitter with a teacher or tutor background and credentials, which will come with a higher pay rate. You can also expect to pay more per child if your children are very young (i.e. a “play pod” for infants and toddlers) or if there are fewer children in your pod. The average rate for a pod sitter on UrbanSitter ranges from $10-15 per hour per child.

Write a detailed job description

Your job description should outline responsibilities and expectations, including the number of children and families, length of commitment, hours, location and rate. Be sure to share the ages and grade levels of the children and disclose any learning disabilities or special circumstances.

Some schools provide a distance learning curriculum, while others do not, so you should note if the sitter is expected to create their own curriculum. Additionally, indicate what type of interaction, if any, the children will have with their  school (video classes, assignments from teachers, online tools, etc.).

Your job description should also describe the learning space (is it your backyard or does the venue rotate from house-to-house) and the learning supplies that will be provided. It will also be important to note if parents or other adults will be in the home during pod hours. Most importantly, disclose COVID-19 requirements and commitments to safety.

Sample job description for a pod sitter:

Our group of three families is looking for a tutor to help our three first graders 5 days a week in a “pod”. All three kids are well-behaved and get along. Note: One child has mild dyslexia, so experience with that is a plus! The kids are distance learning with their curriculum from Washington Elementary School.

All of our families live in the same neighborhood and we’ll set up a learning space in my backyard. You’ll be provided with all supplies and a picnic table. Each child will have a tablet with wifi. My husband and I will be home but we will stay inside of our office while you’re here. Parents will drop off their kids at 9 am and pick them up at 3 pm.

COVID testing & safety: We’ll ask you to follow CDC guidelines and check your temperature every morning before coming. We’ll also pay for your regular testing and add you to our UrbanSitter family plan for test & symptom monitoring.

 

Interview qualified candidates

Next, use a child care site like UrbanSitter to find pod sitter candidates to interview. UrbanSitter makes it easy to find background-checked, qualified candidates with advanced search filters for type of teaching experience, COVID-19 related screening questions, and COVID-19 test monitoring & symptom checking in partnership with Collective Go™. Pod jobs on UrbanSitter receive an average of 20 applicants or more in most areas.

In preparation for your interview, pod families may want to meet ahead of time to discuss the interview questions that will be asked or to decide if one parent will lead the interview process, screening a longer list of candidates to narrow the list down to top picks for the rest of the families to meet. Video call interviews conveniently allow all families to join in at the same time.

pod sitter statistics

Hire and check in regularly

Once you’ve selected your pod sitter, hire them using a booking app such as UrbanSitter, which conveniently allows you to schedule weekly dates and times and set up payments by credit card.

To encourage communication between you and your pod sitter, schedule regular check-ins to talk about how things are going, what needs to be adjusted, and to give and receive feedback. Be sure to coordinate in advance with the other pod families about how and when feedback will be shared to ensure the pod sitter isn’t receiving conflicting feedback from the different families. Also, check regularly that you are complying with your state and county’s COVID-19 and child care licensing policies.

Ready to find your pod sitter? See our Guide to Pandemic Pods for more best practices or visit UrbanSitter now.

Tips for hiring a babysitter during the pandemic

sitter reading to child

Considering hiring a babysitter or nanny during the coronavirus pandemic, but not sure how to do so safely? Here we share some best practices to evaluate the viability of an in-person childcare relationship and how to manage that relationship moving forward.

Best Practices for Hiring Childcare during COVID-19

  • Verify that in-home childcare is allowed in your area. Consult your local city and county government websites.
  • Ask COVID-19 related screening questions when hiring a caregiver such as:
  1. Are you following CDC guidelines on social distancing?
  2. To minimize the potential for exposure to COVID-19, would you be willing to work with just our family?  If so, what minimum hours would you require?
  3. Would you be willing to have your temperature taken upon arrival at our home?
  4. To the best of your knowledge, have you been exposed to the COVID-19 virus?
  5. Are you currently, or have you recently, experienced symptoms that could be related to COVID-19?
  6. How many families do you currently work for?
  7. How will you be getting to and from the job?
  • Set clear expectations with your caregiver. When hiring, be sure to describe your unique in-home childcare situation, your needs and any rules. For instance, “I will be at home, but I’ll be upstairs. I will make sure my child knows I’m working during that time. It’s okay to take them to the park, but they may not go on the playground and need to stay 6 feet away from other people.”
  • Follow CDC guidelines for keeping homes safe. Families and childcare providers should mutually agree to follow safe hygiene practices.
    Create an arrival routine for your care provider that includes things such as removing their shoes and coat by the door, washing hands upon arrival, and having a conversation with you about any changes to their health status.
  • Check-in regularly. Set up a time each week for you and your caregiver to discuss how things are going. It is a stressful time for everyone and situations change constantly, so make an extra effort to check-in with each other and modify your childcare plans as necessary.
  • If a child, a family member or caregiver is sick or has a fever, disclose the information with symptoms and relevant doctor information, to the other party so that families and caregivers can make informed decisions about whether to cancel a job. Specific to the COVID-19, the CDC recommends that people should self-quarantine for 14 days if you have been in contact in the last 14-days with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

More Creative Childcare Solutions for COVID-19

  • Shelter-in-place together. Families that have a spare room may offer to have the childcare provider “shelter in place” with them.
  • Be exclusive. Caregivers may ask for a minimum number of hours per week to work exclusively with one family or to limit the number of families they work with.
  • Offer transportation. Caregivers may ask for rides to and from the family’s home to avoid public transportation.
  • Combine groceries. Families may offer to do the caregiver’s grocery shopping with their own to help limit the caregiver’s exposure.
  • Try virtual sitting. Families with older children may request “virtual sitting” with a caregiver using video chat (while the parent still remains at home), to keep kids entertained and assist with homeschooling while the parent works.

UrbanSitter is open for business during the pandemic. Read more about our COVID-19 precautions and resources or visit us to book virtual sitting or in-home childcare.

Meet super talented virtual babysitters

virtual_sittingVirtual babysitting opens up a world of exciting possibilities for kids to take yoga lessons, drawing classes, and even get homeschool help—all from the safety of home, while their parents get tasks done or work from home.

And, since virtual babysitting takes place over video chat, parents can hire sitters who live anywhere in the country, so they can book the best of the best. To book a virtual babysitter, hire one of the sitters below or post a job on UrbanSitter (Hint: Set your address to any major city for the biggest selection of sitters!). And, be sure to book jobs in your sitter’s local timezone.

Here are a few super talented babysitters ready to engage and entertain kids with a virtual babysitting session!

Singing & Music

Mirella
Singing, reading, homeschooling, teaching Spanish
110 Reviews | 102 Repeat families

Mae
Singing, reading, acting out stories, finger play
32 Reviews | 23 Repeat families

Shernaleria
Singing, reading stories, learning the alphabet and counting
42 Reviews | 45 Repeat families

Danelle
Singing, reading, telling jokes, teaching knitting
28 Reviews | 26 Repeat families

Gerri
Singing, storytelling/reading, science experiments, crafts, cooking, tutoring
16 Reviews | 1 Repeat family

Sheena
Singing, reading
36 Reviews | 24 Repeat families

Ashlyn
Singing, teaching piano
11 Reviews | 9 Repeat families

Marizza
Singing, story time, helping with schoolwork
11 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Monique
Singing, reading, helping with homework
6 Reviews | 2 Repeat families

Tamara
Singing, doing flash cards
7 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Yoga & Dance

Caroline
Yoga, teaching violin
18 Reviews | 17 Repeat families

Leigh
Dance parties, yoga, reading, help with homework
7 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Kelly
Ballet, choreography, coloring, drawing, origami
62 Reviews | 60 Repeat families

Sarah
Yoga, children’s games
18 Reviews | 16 Repeat families

Zara
Dancing, yoga, reading, home schooling
21 Reviews | 15 Repeat families

Blanca
Exercising, Spanish language, meditation
19 Reviews | 9 Repeat families

Leslie
Yoga, teaching art, reading, homeschooling
18 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Daphne
Dance, yoga, story time, singing
18 Reviews | 8 Repeat families

Deserae
Yoga, homeschooling
6 Reviews | 2 Repeat families

Amy
Yoga, cooking, music
7 Reviews | 4 Repeat families

Homeschool & Tutoring

Fiorella
Homeschooling (elementary), tutoring, reading, stretching exercises
45 Reviews | 35 Repeat families

Rasa
Homeschooling, tutoring, teaching Dutch
50 Reviews | 51 Repeat families

Sarah
Homeschooling (preschool, elementary), reading stories
23 Reviews | 14 Repeat families

Emily
Homeschooling, reading stories, playing games
17 Reviews | 15 Repeat families

Laura
Homeschooling (elementary)
6 Reviews | 3 Repeat families

Ingrisds
Tutoring in phonics, elementary math, elementary science, middle and high school writing, biology, algebra, geometry, trigonometry
7 Reviews

Paige
Homeschooling, reading stories
6 Reviews | 3 Repeat families

Sarah
Tutoring in math
13 Reviews | 6 Repeat families

Reading & Storytime

Brunna
Reading stories, playing games, creating stories together
37 Reviews | 21 Repeat families

Laura
Reading, art, science projects
30 Reviews | 20 Repeat families

Feiben
Reading, storytime
9 Reviews | 5 Repeat families

Haley
Reading
9 Reviews | 6 Repeat families

Leah
Reading stories, dance parties, I spy
9 Reviews | 7 Repeat families

Sil
Telling stories, puzzles, teaching meditation, drawing together
8 Reviews | 9 Repeat families

Sandra
Reading stories, practicing ABC’s, math, science, art
6 Reviews | 6 Repeat families

Catalina
Reading stories, Spanish language
6 Reviews | 5 Repeat families

Tykisha
Teaching
18 Reviews | 17 Repeat families

Barbara
Homework help (K-4th grade)
13 Reviews | 26 Repeat families

For the latest updates on UrbanSitter COVID-19 childcare, please visit our FAQ: Coronavirus Precautions and Resources.

What is a virtual babysitter? Does it actually work?

virtual babysitter doing yoga with child

Wondering if a virtual babysitter is right for you? As families continue to social distance, we know we’ll see less traditional babysitting. But, that doesn’t mean parents don’t need help right now! Many dual working families are struggling to keep up with work and homeschooling, and even an hour of time to themselves could be what keeps them sane.

What do virtual sitters do?

Many babysitters and nannies are now offering virtual babysitter services via video calls. During a virtual sitting, a babysitter or nanny keeps a child happy and engaged with activities suitable for video chat, such as storytime for younger kids and homework help for older kids. Parents are always at home, but likely in a separate room either working or taking care of chores.

Tips for success

To prevent screen time fatigue, these types of virtual jobs should be kept to 1-2 hours long only. Some parents book several virtual jobs to cover their work day with necessary breaks for the kids in-between. Virtual sitting is also more successful with older children, who are more familiar with engaging over video.

Additionally, several families can share a virtual sitter by using video conference software. This saves families money, make sitters more money, and create more fun for the kids! Wondering how much to pay a virtual babysitter? View average babysitting rates in your city.

Examples of virtual babysitting activities:

Younger children:

  • Storytime
  • Singing songs
  • Pretend play
  • Charades 
  • Dance party or competition
  • Letter/color of the day
  • Counting practice 
  • Practice reading aloud
  • Telling jokes
  • Play “I spy…”
  • Tour of each other’s homes
  • Child introduces all of their stuffed animals or toys
  • Simple crafts with household items

Older children:

  • Virtual learning & homework help
  • Music lessons
  • Drawing lesson or draw each other’s face 
  • Pictionary 
  • Exercise together 
  • Yoga & meditation
  • Origami
  • Riddles
  • Play “20 questions”
  • Magic tricks 
  • Virtual board games or bingo
  • Compete to see who can build the tallest tower of playing cards or plastic cups

UrbanSitter babysitters: If you have a virtual babysitting specialty, consider adding it to your profile.  For example, if you teach yoga, let parents know you’d be up for teaching a virtual yoga lesson.

See here for UrbanSitter’s most recent COVID-19 health and safety information.

Interested in booking a virtual babysitter? Post a job on UrbanSitter today!

2020 Babysitting Rates & Childcare Costs Study

Wondering how much to pay your babysitter in 2020? According to UrbanSitter and their 9th annual child care study of more than 25,000 families across the U.S., the average hourly babysitting rate is $17.73 for one child and $20.30 for two children. Read on for the average babysitting rates in your city, plus more fun facts. 2020-Rates-Infographic

How to Find the Best Babysitter for You and Your Kids

babysitter

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Leaving your children in the care of a stranger is understandably nerve-racking. In addition to being concerned about your children’s welfare, you may feel stressed about how well the personalities of your children and your babysitter will pair. As you prepare to find a babysitter to rely on regularly, utilize these strategic tips.

Identify Your Service Needs

Before you schedule interviews for a new babysitter, you need to prepare a job description that perfectly outlines your expectations. If this will be a recurring job, you should specify work hours. You also need to outline how many children will be cared for, how many meals and snacks need to be prepared if children need to be taken to school or extracurricular activities and more. Some people look for a nanny who will also complete light household chores. Understand that the rate that you offer should increase as you add more requirements or expectations to the job description.

Use a Screening Service

You could post an online classified ad to spread the word about your job description, but this creates a profound need to carefully screen each candidate. To do so, you will need to conduct a thorough background check, review references, and complete other essential steps. If you are looking for an easier way to identify trustworthy, qualified individuals, it makes sense to use a service provider that will connect you with several vetted professionals.

Conduct In-Home Interviews

When you have a few vetted professionals in mind, you can conduct in-person interviews. While some professionals may look great on paper, they may not seem as impressive in person for various reasons. These interviews may be conducted in your home so that your children can meet each person. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to view the interaction between the babysitter and your children. Part of your interview process may include observation of them playing and communicating.

Schedule a Few Short Sessions

You understandably want to commit to a specific individual, but you should not commit prematurely. Personality conflicts and other issues may arise when you leave your children in the person’s care for a lengthy period of time. Head out of the house for an hour or two for the first few sessions. After each session, speak with the babysitter and your children individually to get feedback. Some issues that you become aware of may easily be addressed, but others may be deal-breakers.

As you prepare to find a babysitter, you should have an open mind as well as a firm set of standards. Utilize babysitter or nanny services to streamline the process.