I've been remote for about two years now and it's generally fine, but lately my partner's been working in-office more often, so I'm home alone with the kids during the day. They're 5 and 7, and they constantly need snacks, help with something, or just want attention. I can barely get through a video call without interruptions. Does anyone have strategies that actually work?
The snack and activity prep before your workday starts makes a huge difference. Set up a snack station the night before or early morning with stuff they can grab themselves - crackers, fruit, yogurt, whatever doesn't need your hands. Same with activities: have a rotation of things that actually hold their attention for chunks of time. For my kids at similar ages, it was a mix of building sets, coloring with new markers (novelty helps), educational apps, and outdoor time if the weather's decent. You're not being neglectful by buying them an hour of focused play time instead of constant interaction.
For calls specifically, be upfront with your team about it. Most people get it now and won't mind background noise from kids occasionally. Schedule your most important calls during their quietest time if possible - that's usually right after they eat or during an established quiet hour. Noise-canceling headphones help too, and you can mute yourself during listening parts. The other thing that worked for us was setting a visual boundary they understand, like a specific door being closed means "don't interrupt unless it's an emergency," and keeping emergencies actually defined (blood, fire, actual pain - not boredom).
The hardest part is accepting it won't be perfect. Some days will be chaos and you'll have to reschedule things, and that's just the reality of this setup. But having clear structures - predictable snack times, activities prepped, and realistic expectations from your employer - cuts down the constant reactive firefighting. You'll find your rhythm.
Visual timers and a "do not disturb" signal made the real difference for me - a closed door with a specific sign or even a colored cup on your desk that means "mom/dad is in a meeting, ask only if it's an emergency." Kids that age can actually grasp this boundary way better than you'd think, especially if you practice it a few times when you're *not* working. The prep stuff helps, sure, but it doesn't solve the attention-seeking part, which is often the bigger problem than hunger anyway. I'd also push back on trying to keep them entertained all morning with activities - that's exhausting to set up and they burn through it fast. Instead, rotate in one or two "special work-time only" activities (a specific show, a craft box, building blocks) that only come out during your calls, so there's actual novelty and they're more willing to stick with it.
The biggest game-changer for me was giving them a specific "job" during my calls - nothing elaborate, just something that keeps their hands busy and feels important. My kids got designated as my "office managers" responsible for keeping a checklist of tasks (draw a picture, build something with blocks, organize their toy box) and they actually stayed engaged instead of demanding my attention. It sounds silly but there's something about having a role that makes them feel included rather than excluded, and honestly it cuts interruptions in half!
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