How do you balance working from home with kids being home from school?

The most important thing is to establish a clear routine from day one. Your kids need to know when you're actually available and when you're not - maybe you're in calls from 9 to 12 and can't be disturbed, then there's a lunch break where you're all theirs. Also communicate with your boss or colleagues that you might have interruptions during certain hours; people are way more understanding than you think, especially if you're upfront about it from the start.

Set up activities that can run on their own, like school projects, drawing, building with Lego, reading. They don't need to be boring but they also shouldn't require constant supervision. If they have homework, maybe do it before your work day or during your break. And honestly, you don't have to be perfect - sometimes you'll take a call with your kid screaming in the background, it happens, that's fine.

In the evening dedicate time to them without your laptop on, even just an hour. I think it's more important that the day feels balanced rather than trying to maintain a total separation that doesn't exist anyway. And if you can, get their other parent or relatives involved to take turns on the heavier days - you don't have to manage it all alone.

What really saved me is involving my kids in activities while I work - like giving them creative tasks or projects that require concentration, so they don't keep interrupting constantly and I can actually be mentally present during important meetings.