{"id":31482,"date":"2020-12-09T19:30:42","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T19:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=31482"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:32:22","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:32:22","slug":"work-from-here-oneikathetraveller-top-wfh-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/work-from-here-oneikathetraveller-top-wfh-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips and tricks for working from anywhere in the U.S. with kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was written by guest author, Oneika Raymond.<\/em><\/p>\n

The events of 2020 have massively changed the world: with many countries locking down and governments encouraging people to stay indoors, working from home has become <\/span>de rigueur<\/span><\/i>. And while this might have helped many of us stay safe and healthy, it is a c<\/span>hallenging arrangement for people who have children at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trust me, I write this from experience. As the mother of a very active 11-month-old,\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019ve<\/span> been juggling working from home with caring for my daughter, so I know that it\u2019s no easy feat. However,<\/span>\u00a0while working from home with your little one in tow might be difficult,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0not completely impossible. And you know what? It can even be fun, especially if you have an opportunity to take a \u2018work from here\u2019 trip with Expedia as part of their \u201cWork from H<\/span>ere\u201d program! I\u2019ve partnered with Expedia to share my tips and tricks for staying focused, productive, and, most importantly, sane when you\u2019re on a \u2018work from here\u2019 trip with kids, so you can make the most of your getaway.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>So<\/span>\u00a0without any further ado, here<\/span>\u00a0they are!<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Accept that your priorities might shift\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

The first step to successfully taking a \u2018work from here\u2019 trip with kids is to make peace with the fact that your level of productivity might not be the same. Your energy and attention will be split\u00a0<\/span>between your job, your little person, and enjoying a new location, and\u00a0<\/span>that’s<\/span>\u00a0okay!\u00a0 Instead of beating yourself up over this reality, accept it for what it is and look at the bright side:\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0getting to spend more time with your child than ever before.<\/span> Embrace this unique moment in time, be thankful for it, and above all, cherish it\u2014you can make new memories by changing up your scenery, and you\u2019ll likely miss having your kids around so much when things go back to normal (whenever that may be).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>2. Only <\/span><\/b>plan to get a handful of work tasks done a day<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Once\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019ve<\/span> accepted that you won\u2019t be as productive, I recommend not loading up your work to-do list with more than several action items per day. After all, caring for a child is a full-time job all on its<\/span> own: feeding, bathing, playing with, and keeping an eye on your little one all while on the clock will leave you exhausted and with very little time to race though those 576 work tasks you thought<\/em> you\u2019d be able to complete. Instead, avoid feelings of o<\/span>verwhelm and inadequacy by assessing which three to four are the most important, then scheduling pockets throughout the day to complete them. If <\/span>you’re<\/span> tech-savvy, use an online project management program to create a schedule for the week; if not, a quick<\/span>\u00a0checklist on a spreadsheet will do the trick.\u00a0<\/span>You\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0be surprised how scheduling less will actually help you to do more: feeling accomplished and in control can do wonders for your motivation and productivity!<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Find \u2018work from here\u2019 destinations that ar<\/span><\/b>e kid-friendly<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

A key element to getting the most out of your \u2018work from here\u2019 trip when you have children is to <\/span>select destinations that your little ones can enjoy. After all, if the kids are happy, active, and engaged in your new locale, <\/span>you\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0be happy,<\/span> productive, and better able to deal with the demands of both working and discovering your destination.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is why<\/span>\u00a0I recommend heading to places that have enough wide-open spaces for the kids to run around and burn off excess energy. The state of Utah<\/a>,<\/span> for example, has so much nature and national parks to explore (like Bryce Canyon National Park<\/a>) that your family might have difficulty figuring out which attractions to tackle first!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If your children love the water, a year-round, warm-weather destinat<\/span>ion like Key West<\/a> is a great option. Not only are the beaches there pristine, the incredible parks and nature conservatories will keep both children and adults occupied.<\/span><\/p>\n

More interested in the West Coast? Southern California has a wonderful mix of the g<\/span>reat outdoors and stunning coastlines: Base yourself in San Diego<\/a> or Los Angeles<\/a> for the beaches and big city vibe, then pop over to Palm Springs<\/a> for some desert exploration on the weekends.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Do childcare “shifts” with your partner if you have one<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

As t<\/span>he old saying goes, there\u2019s strength in numbers, so make use of your partner if you have one! Assigning designated times, or childcare \u201cshifts,\u201d when each parent is responsible for the care of the little one has kept my husband and I sane.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why? Well, th<\/span>is ultimately means that\u00a0<\/span>we\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0both able to get work done while ensuring that our daughter is always actively being looked after. Since he usually has a series of conference calls before noon,\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0take the morning \u201cshift\u201d; he’ll then relieve me in the aft<\/span>ernoons. In the evenings,\u00a0<\/span>we\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0spend quality time as a family before it\u2019s time for her to go to bed.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Of course, if you want to make the most of your \u2018work from here\u2019 trip, this would be the perfect opportunity to bring Grandma or Grandpa along on the trip if they are willing and available so they can assist with babysitting!\u00a0<\/span>Team work<\/span>\u00a0makes the dream work<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. When you pack, remember <\/span><\/b>you\u2019re <\/span><\/b>going to be visiting a place that likely has all the items you need<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Since many of us are taking \u2018work from here\u2019 trips that are longer than a week,\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0stress about over packing! It is highly likely that no matter\u00a0<\/span>where you go in the\u00a0<\/span>U.S.<\/span>\u00a0you\u2019ll be able to easily find any miscellaneous items you may have left behind at home. My top tip?\u00a0<\/span>Don\u2019t<\/span> pack more than a week\u2019s worth of clothes if you\u2019ll be away for less than a month. You can find laundering facilities almost\u00a0<\/span>anywhere!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Schedule activities that keep your little ones busy<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

\u2018Work from here\u2019 trips give families the perfect opportunity to get active and explore their new surroundings: you can elevate your weekends during your trip by booking activities on Expedi<\/span>a.com. Even during a pandemic, there are plenty of outdoor, socially distanced activities to consider, like a boat tour or visiting the city zoo.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Schedule work obligations during nap\/quiet times<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Does your child sleep during the day? If so, do like I<\/span>\u00a0do and make use of this sacred down time to get things done for work! Since my daughter typically naps for about an hour in the morning and 90 minutes in the afternoon, I\u2019ve taken to scheduling conference calls and Zoom meetings when she\u2019s in the Land of\u00a0<\/span>Nod; if I don\u2019t have any calls that day, I\u2019ll use the time to catch up on emails. Long walks and visits to the park are also a golden opportunity to conference or Zoom; my daughter is often so busy looking out of her stroller or playing in the sand at the <\/span>playground that I\u2019m free to do my thing!<\/span><\/p>\n

And of course, please follow recommended local health guidelines when traveling and in your destination\u2014<\/span>it’s<\/span>\u00a0important to be mindful of your health and the health of others during this strange time!<\/span><\/p>\n

What tips do you have for working from anywhere with kids?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Oneika<\/p>\n

About Oneika Raymond<\/em><\/p>\n

Oneika Raymond is an award-winning travel and lifestyle expert, journalist, and television host whose adventures have taken her to over 115 countries on 6 continents.<\/em><\/p>\n

As an NBC New York correspondent and host of two series on the Travel Channel, she’s dedicated to inspiring women and people of color to live their best lives both at home and abroad. Profiled by outlets such as Forbes, The Washington Post, and New York Magazine, Oneika is also an accomplished writer whose work has appeared in publications including Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveler, Ebony Magazine, and Lonely Planet. Additionally, she\u2019s the voice behind the respected travel blog Oneika The Traveller, which was named Best Travel Blog by the Society of American Travel Writers in 2018.<\/em><\/p>\n

Follow Oneika’s exploits on Instagram at @oneikatraveller<\/a> or at www.oneikathetraveller.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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