How to Manage Remote Work with Part-Time Childcare:
A Survival Guide for Parents
If you’re a remote working parent, you’ve probably faced this scenario: your childcare falls through but you still have work to do. Whether it’s a daycare shutdown, a sick child, or school holidays, you’re left juggling work responsibilities with caregiving. While the ideal setup is having full childcare during work hours, life often doesn’t go as planned. How do you stay productive – and just as importantly, appear productive – when you’re trying to manage remote work with part-time or no childcare?
The key lies in being strategic, setting clear priorities, and showing yourself some grace. Here’s a roadmap for navigating these tough situations.
1. Know What Truly Matters: Prioritize with Precision
When your childcare options are limited, your time is even more precious. To manage it effectively, focus on the tasks that have the greatest impact on your role and team. Ask yourself:
- What work is most important to my company, my boss, and my team?
- What tasks can wait until my situation stabilizes?
If you haven’t already, now is the time to conduct a time audit. This will help you identify which activities drive the most value and which can be deprioritized. (If you need help with this, I have a free time audit tool you can use!)
Knowing your priorities ensures that when you do work, you’re focusing on what truly moves the needle. This clarity also helps communicate to your boss that you’re in control, even in challenging circumstances.
2. Use What Childcare You Have Strategically
When your childcare is piecemeal – whether it’s a partner trading shifts, a neighbor taking your toddler for a couple of hours, or a grandparent stepping in – maximize that time. Here’s how:
- Schedule Deep Focus Work: Use these blocks for tasks that require undivided attention, like strategic planning or creative problem-