I have been asked several times before, how I get my projects done with children at home. Well you are in luck, because today I am going to answer that! Yah!

Projects and kids. Sometimes these two do not mix well.  I love them both so much!….Obviously, I love my kids infinitely more than projects, hopefully that goes without saying, but just to be clear 🙂 I have 3 young kids at home with me and I can’t always wait for my husband to get home to help me with the kiddos or send them to grandma’s every time I want to work on my project list. So, today I want to share some suggestions to encourage you that you CAN get projects done with children at home AND even ENJOY the process!

5 tips to get home projects done with children at home

1. Lower your expectations.

Don’t expect to be able to work as quickly or efficiently. I have to remind myself this CONSTANTLY! What I could probably do in an hour may take several with my little loves in toe.

2. Expect interruptions.

If you expect to be interrupted multiple times you are less likely to be irritated when it DOES happen. My kids are still in a pretty needy stage of life so I often need to pause to change a diaper, help tie a shoe, address behavior problems, refill sippy cups, or just pause and give some attention.

Little hands “sneak” into my project photos often 🙂

3. Plan out some special yummy snacks.

My kids are less needy and generally happier with full bellies. I try to pull out a “special” snack when I want to work on a project for a bit. A special snack may be all the usual snacks but served in a muffin tin tray. Boom! Now its special!

4. Special activity or toy.

Pull out a “special” toy or activity to play with while you work. I set up the activity in the same area I am working in, usually the garage. If I am in the garage painting or building these are a couple of my kids favorite activities. My kids are 5, 2 and 2 so if your kids are different ages these may not work for you. Be creative. Pinterest has about a million ideas of activities for kids of different ages. Just try to pick something you don’t normally do so it’s “special” Most of these ideas are for when we are working in the garage.

• Water table filled with water/sand/colored rice/water beads/etc
•  Sidewalk chalk
• Cardboard boxes with markers
• Make “roads” with scrap wood for their bikes
• Give them shovels to scoop dirt or sawdust

(Can you tell my husband works on a farm? Lots of dirt in this garage. )

5. Include them.

This is by far the most important tip and where I need the most growth. My kids LOVE being a part of whatever I am doing. Instead of pushing them away, try to embrace it and let them join. I give my kids sandpaper to “help” me sand or paintbrushes (no paint for the littlest ones). My oldest can help drill and hammer. They can stack up all the scrap wood, sweep sawdust, hold things while I glue them. Kids are incredibly capable little people if we give them opportunity. Projects and kids can go together and can be fun.

My oldest son was in the garage with me this week and asked to make his own project. He picked out some scrap wood, screws, paint and got to work. Get it bud!

Another suggestion, would be to work out with a close friend, trading days watching each other’s kids. When she has your children you can pound out some project time and then you can serve your friend when you have her kids. Great!

Okay hopefully these are encouraging to you! I would love to hear YOUR tips for getting projects done with children at home with you!

Have a great day!

Emily