We wrote a similar post about flexible working last year…but things aren’t quite the same as last year, are they?! In addition, flexible, and remote working is now part of the norm, and doesn’t just involve people with kids. This time we got some tips from our network and the team – from dogs to kids, to gin and desks, we’ve got everything covered!

From Andisheh of Andisheh Thomson Photography

Let standards fall – it’s ok to stop homeschooling. It’s ok to let them be on the iPad/TV for an amount of time that’s reasonable (more than what you’d let them be on normally, but less than making them zombies!). Let them sleep in or stay up late if it means you can find some time to yourself. (Andisheh has collated a shortlist of summer camps running in her local area for anyone wanting to offload their kids! Take a look here.)

From Mark Lilleyman of Tech Division

We printed out a daily timetable for homeschooling, dog walking, iPad time etc, and put it on the wall. Now the kids come to me and ask, “Can we stop for lunch now and have an extra break seeing as we started work 12 minutes early?”

From Lin, our in-house bookkeeper

Try to have some structure to your day rather than doing work ad hoc. I try to keep to a routine – walking the dogs at the same time each day, and then set aside a number of hours for work. I tend to work off the dining table even though I have a home office, but when I’m finished for the day, I can put everything away so my dining table is clear.

From Megan Arnold

Key with all dogs is not to let them fall in love with the neighbour’s new puppy. You’ll find them nagging to go over to their house every couple of hours because they are bored to death at home.

From me (Tamsyn) of Seed Accounting Solutions

Accept that the kids will need to fend for themselves a little more than normal. If that involves screen time, so be it. I have set working hours in the morning – after lunch, we hang out together. If absolutely necessary, I will work in the evenings, but I ensure I have my own downtime as well. By working a couple of hours less a day, the things that aren’t urgent or important are filtered out, so only meaningful tasks get time dedicated to them. DELEGATE – I have used my team as much as possible to ease some of workload.

From Rameeza Rayner of Rameeza’s Repertoire

Just let the chaos continue around you and then get them to tidy up!

From Rosie, our Client Support Manager

Routine is good! I would say don’t have your office in the living room or anywhere which is a communal space because everyone interrupting you every 5 seconds drive you nuts!

From Ruth Clougherty of Gin and Yin

Gin 100% obvs – but other than that, have you heard of Brilliant Bricks online Lego club? I have really enjoyed Jennie Maizel‘s sketchbook club for my daughter and I too…oh and did I say gin already? A music dance off while cleaning can also be fun if a tad pricey on glass cleaner!

Got some more ideas on how to best manage remote working and flexible working? Add them to our post on Instagram. (Feel free to follow us once you’re there!)