Working With a Toddler on Your Lap

on January 6, 2009 at 5:07 PM

Inevitably, sometime this winter, I will be writing this blog with a snuffly-nosed toddler on my lap. Conducting business and being mommy at the exact same moment in time is a common and often impossible problem for many working moms, both those who work in and out of the house.

The nanny or babysitter can't make it. Schools are closed due to inclement weather. She's too sick for day care, but you absolutely cannot miss that conference call. The possibilities are endless, but the fact is work must go on.

As I see it, other than taking a day off, there are two solutions.

First, try to find someone who can help you in a pinch -- check out these alternatives for cheap child care.

But here's another idea that falls into the "how to distract them as long as possible" category -- set up a workstation near yours. Stock it with workbooks, coloring books, pens, paints, stickers, play-dough, gak — whatever you like, just make sure they’re all projects or activities your child can do with little or no supervision, and try to include items that they only get to use while you’re working.

An old computer keyboard makes it especially appealing for little kids, and consider giving her some old cell phones, a play laptop, assorted pens, stamps, rulers, and scraps of paper. I don't expect I'd get a full day out of it, but even a half-hour here and there would really help.

I'm curious how other working moms earn a paycheck with their youngins under foot all day? Any more survival tips?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: child care, play, sick days

Comments (7)

three-for-now

on Jan 6, 2009 at 5:51 PM

sorry can't help you

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JPsMommy605

on Jan 6, 2009 at 7:16 PM

I've had to do this numerous times - either I work from home or my son comes into the office with me. At the office, he's a bit easier to manage (read "pawn off on my co-workers"), but at home, it's a lot trickier because he wants to play more. He's old enough now (3 1/2) and I've worked from home enough for him to understand that sometimes I need to pay attention to the computer or talk on the phone. He'll either watch some TV (2 hours max), play with his puzzles or otherwise occupy himself. So long as I respond when he needs me and take frequent breaks to focus on him, he seems okay with it now. Early on, though, it was tough and one day he told me that he was going outside to take his bike and find a new mommy. I immediately logged off work and gave him some serious one-on-one. That was over a year ago and hasn't happened since. We've just found a happy middle ground where both our needs are met and my employer understands that my son is my priority.

dsteiner23

on Jan 6, 2009 at 7:39 PM

I TOTALLY do the alternate workstation when I have to work at home. Thankfully my employer has given me a laptop to use for work so when I'm working, I setup on the coffee table and work there (not very ergonomic, but it works).

My 2 year old gets the PC which has installed in it a couple toddler games that she knows how to use. They're both Disney, one is Mickey Mouse and the other is Winnie The Pooh. They teach colors, numbers, letters, sorting, etc. She LOVES using the computer and feels like a big girl.

I get some peace and quiet to focus on work for about 30 - 45 minutes at a time. That's a really great thing considering she's only 2. And, bonus, she's not only getting exposure to the letters, etc, but is gaining really valuable computer experience for her future.

KARRIEMARIE

on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:29 PM

i have to call in or let them stay w/ my father, who is the bomb (that is a good thing). sometimes my mom is off and she is a bomb too.

daydreaminmom

on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:34 PM

My mom worked as a secretary when I was lil and going to half day kindergarten. She would pick me up and take me to work with her and i'd have my own lil table of papers and pens to "help mommy" with.
Heck, when I worked as a waitress there were days i'd have to take my son to work with me (school closed) and he'd just sit at the desk and play with the calculator or help out in the dish area (his dad, my ex, worked in the kitchen too).
You do the best you can with what you have.

aidensmomma508

on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:55 PM

LOL welcome to my world....I'm a day care teacher... I usually have a child near by while working....

when my son is around I do have a harder time working, because he is usually having a tantrum because he can't get his way....

SatyrsMom

on Feb 21, 2009 at 10:26 PM

My husband and I spend alot of time working the the computer and to spend time working and with our son, we sit him with us. He really likes watching us pay things like Dawn of War. He likes all the flashing colors and sounds, he never cares about what they are really doing.