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Original poster

What can I do with kids while WFH?

41 replies

Moggi · 25/01/2024 22:25

I have struck up a fantastic deal with one my daughter’s friends mum RE childcare during the week. I pick up both girls one day a week and we have a play date/dinner while her mum is in the office and she repays the favour on my in the office day later in the week. It’s a great arrangement, and we all get on very well however the other mum works part time and usually takes them to the park etc.

I am very fortunate in that I have a lazy girl job - I work from home 3 days a week and usually get my work for the day finished by lunchtime so I am more than able to take care of the girls but I am limited to staying online and home in case there is a work emergency. Has anyone any ideas what I can do with them as I am running out of ideas now (we’ve done cinema night, crafts, dance shows etc). They generally need an activity as if they’re left to just colour or free play it does get a little wild! They are both 5.

TIA XX

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GreenFrog13 · 26/01/2024 20:24

I once got my kids one of those colour in your own rocket ship from hobby craft. Kept them going for hours!

Original poster
Moggi · 26/01/2024 20:20

@HAF1119 sorry but that hoover one has killed me 😂😂😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Moggi · 26/01/2024 20:18

@FloraMaguire my mum actually still goes on about how I used to beg to clean the windows and she’d have to clean them again afterwards 😂

@Goldbar wow this is truly amazing and I also have a ginormous box in the shed waiting for the tip so definitely doing this!

@Rosesanddaisies1 I bet you’re fun at parties… hope you didn’t send this during working hours! If I did have loads of work (which has never happened) on I would divert to my husband who also is working from home that day but self employed… I didn’t add that nugget of info because it’s not relevant and not what I asked for advice on. As it happens - I am able to be fully present for these kids due to my hard work earlier in the day, and occasionally would like to organise a fun activity for them, please by all means call Childline if you feel it necessary 😂

OP posts:
HAF1119 · 26/01/2024 15:04

Baking cakes
Decorating gingermen
Egg hunt as you get near Easter
My personal favourite... spread little bits of paper in lines in 2 rooms, time how long it takes for one to Hoover all the paper in one room, then the other in the other room. They have a fun race.. you have a hoovered floor 😂
Make slime
Any baker Ross kit
Mini disco ball and some music
Fish and a fishing rod each (toys) spread the fish round the room, get them to collect into a bucket
Board games suitable for their age

Rosesanddaisies1 · 26/01/2024 15:01

StringTheory1 · 25/01/2024 23:11

You shouldn’t be entertaining your DC and providing childcare for someone else’s DC whilst you’re supposed to be at work.

If you’re paid til 5, you should be working til 5. Bollocks to this term “lazy girl job” - shameful on various levels.

This. Most work places it is explicitly not allowed, so you can't be surprised if you were to get in trouble for this. It's not fair to the kids either, what if you did have loads of work one day. Otherwise -you don't need to constantly plan activities. Let them play and entertain each other.

Dacadactyl · 26/01/2024 15:01

As if you'd run this past your employer!!

What sort of moron would do that?!

OP, you're just a number to your employer so as long as the work's done, just let the kids play together...lego, crafting, baking, playing in garden etc.

Goldbar · 26/01/2024 14:57

Large cardboard box

Cut a "door" in it and some windows

Put it in the middle of the room with glue sticks, kiddie scissors, loads of scrap paper and tissue, stickers and crayons (washable markers if you're brave).

Bonus points if you have a second, slightly smaller box so there's an escape tunnel.

This one is tried and tested.

coxesorangepippin · 26/01/2024 14:37

Nevermind that my company couldn't give a flying fuck what I'm doing as long as my work is completed to a high standard. Think it's just because we've been a 9-5 society for so long people are still coming around to the idea that you don't actually have to work yourself to death.

^

Couldn't agree more.

coxesorangepippin · 26/01/2024 14:37

Buy a pop up tent, along with torches and pillows

Make homemade play dough

Assault courses/parcours outside

Personally I'd make sure they're outdoors as much as possible, weather permitting

FloraMaguire · 26/01/2024 14:29

Speaking of scrubbing steps, my kids love cleaning windows and especially when the weather is warmer it’s very fun (if ineffective!).
a riddle/clue based treasure hunt is always fun. Depending on their reading ability you can either hide a written or drawn clue they have to solve to locate the next one, and so on, until the final clue has a prize (chocolate coin or whatever)

themadhat · 26/01/2024 14:26

MonsteraMama · 26/01/2024 08:26

I have a similar job to you OP, set amount of work per day which I've normally finished by 1pm, then I generally just have to be available if anything comes up (which happens about once a fortnight if that).

People get SO salty when they find out I'm cutting about at home baking or cleaning or playing games or entertaining one of my endless nieces or nephews during "work hours". Weird attitude of "nose to the grindstone 100% of the time or you're an awful, lazy person". Nevermind that my company couldn't give a flying fuck what I'm doing as long as my work is completed to a high standard. Think it's just because we've been a 9-5 society for so long people are still coming around to the idea that you don't actually have to work yourself to death.

Treasure hunts are a big win in my house and keep them occupied for hours. We bought a huge bag of fake "pirate dubloons" and I just hide them everywhere, give each kid a loot bag, and unleash.

This is so true. I have one day a week WFH and I have both my girls once a week. It's a cushty little arrangement I've got with my boss who knows how expensive childcare is and tends to not bother me unless something comes up. However my colleague could also work from home and does when it suits her but is so stuck on the whole 9-5 thing! Arghh it drives me mad she'll sit in the office until bang on home time even though the vibe is you get your work done and be available and then scolds anyone who god forbid wants to log on at home or nip to Tesco. The world is changing and I think this is the future tbh.

BasiliskStare · 26/01/2024 12:33

@Moggi - I apologise.

Alargeoneplease89 · 26/01/2024 10:33

Board games ( jenga, connect 4)

Drawing game - paper each, draw a head fold over to the neck lines then swap for torso, fold over, swap for lower body fold and then feet. Always fun seeing what crazy creation kids come up with.

Child friendly YouTube workout / Dance

https://www.familyfuntwincities.com/indoor-games-for-kids/

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Original poster
Moggi · 26/01/2024 10:25

@HauntedPencil 😂😂😂 if you have any particularly minging steps I’d be happy to come over and give them a scrub for you. Unfortunately no! Very low turnover of staff… funny that!

OP posts:
HauntedPencil · 26/01/2024 10:19

For shame! What I think you should do after you've done your work is go outside and offer to scrub everyone's steps.

Also, are there any vacancies please?

Original poster
Moggi · 26/01/2024 10:04

Feel free to read the thread @ActDottie 😁

OP posts:
ActDottie · 26/01/2024 09:46

A ‘lazy girl’ job????

Have you run this pat your employer? Mine is pretty flexible but no way would they agree to this. You’re being paid to work not provide childcare. If everyone started doing this then wfh would be abolished completely as too many people would take the piss.

TeeBee · 26/01/2024 09:44

Do you have a garden? I'd set them up doing bug hunts/chalk pictures. Maybe put a swing ball out. In poorer weather, get them cooking with you or some craft activities. Things that can be dropped easily if a work emergency arrives.

shearwater2 · 26/01/2024 09:44

When I was a student at law school (lectures and seminars were afternoons only) I had a job in a bank doing admin/typing/ordering food for people working late into the evening, 4 nights a week. Sometimes I was quite busy and other times there was nothing to do. If there was nothing to do I was allowed to do my studying- I did ask specifically if that was ok. They also paid for a taxi home. I was paid £10 an hour (23 years ago) to study quite a few evenings. I got on well with the team who were all in their 20s and 30s and sometimes we'd go out clubbing after work too. Was the life of Riley!

Original poster
Moggi · 26/01/2024 09:03

Thanks everyone 🥰 Seemingly my people come out in the morning rather than late at night, what a surprise… sports are a good idea when it’s a bit warmer. Pizza making too, thanks! I was just having a bit of a brain blank. I am happy for the wild play to happen - I think I’m just having mum guilt as they get to go to the park etc to burn off energy when they’re at the other mum’s house! @SirSamVimesCityWatch I am a bit scared of exposing myself 😂😂 but I work in finance admin, not massively qualified for it and it pays ok!

OP posts:
Fluyit · 26/01/2024 08:47

I also have a job Like that op, once my work is done i am free to do whatever, boss approved as I can’t conjure up work that doesn’t exist.

cooking/baking tasks with them is a good one.
i know you said you’ve done crafts but there’s lots of cheap and cheerful craft sets you can get at b&m
lego/building brick type things
snakes and ladders type games

I’d also just like some wild free play happen

justdontknowwhat2doo · 26/01/2024 08:44

I love all the puritans on here annoyed you're not doing serf properly Hmm

Set up a den/tent in your living room
Decorating cakes/cookies
Bead necklaces
Those retro pasta/string/pva pictures (I don't have primary age kids - do they still do these?)

shearwater2 · 26/01/2024 08:39

If you have the space when it's lighter, cricket & football in the garden, and mine used to spend ages on the trampoline. Not necessarily bouncing, just sitting on it and having a good chat after some bouncing.

shearwater2 · 26/01/2024 08:34

It's just jealousy, OP. Sounds like a good balance to me.

I would just add pizza making to the suggestions if you can supervise them. Then they've already got their dinners sorted as well.

Comedycook · 26/01/2024 08:32

I see all the goodie two shoes types are out in force!