What can I do with kids while WFH?

[Moggi]

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

What’s wrong with things getting a little wild? 2 5 year olds should be able to play together without needing adult themes.

Also what on earth is a ‘lazy girl’ job??

Does your employer know? Mine is super flexible but would not take kindly to me hosting play dates while I'm being paid to be at work.

But also, my 5 year old just bums around after school really. Does some colouring, watches some TV, plays with his toys, has a snack. I don't entertain him at all.

Why can’t they just play by themselves? That’s the beauty of play dates. The kids play in their rooms while you get on with whatever you need to get on with. Then feed them and they go home. Job done. I wouldn’t be arsed entertaining them every week

I'd use your lunch break to set up a structured activity like

• making jewellery
• play doh
• making a den

Etc Snacks out, film on etc

I think just playing with toys is fine...

Just let tfhrm play by themselves, they don't need an activity anf then they can learn how to just play and not be 'wild' whatever that means.

Also, presume your employer knows you are doing childcare when they are paying you to work

Decorating plain cupcakes/biscuits, 'treasure' hunts, face paints, making fridge cakes etc but all need some adult supervision so not sure how suitable if you're working at the same time

Get together a dressing up box and let them play dress up and take photos of each other
Lego
teddy bears picnic in your living room
board games

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.

Set things up for them when you get a break, to prompt them into different activities that they can then develop. eg set up a scenario with dolls or toys; half build a Lego or playmobil scene; hide some figurines in the garden or around the house for a treasure hunt; help them build a den that they can play in.

I want your job. What do you do??

Honestly - I think WFH is not a substitute for child care. Many have to be on the phone / zoom calls between 8.30 and 6.30 with a quick lunch. If mornings are your only contracted work then fine but if afternoons are also then how about a shared au pair ? If the children are old enough.

Mumsnet is so hilarious. I wasn’t asking for your opinions on my work ethic thank you - I have a set amount of work to do each day and as I said I usually complete it by lunch time because I work hard. If I didn’t - that’s also none of your business as you do not know my set up financially and whether or not I can afford extra childcare (I can, but why when I’m at home twiddling my thumbs?)I have had raving performance reviews for 5 years straight. I also don’t think it’s the end of the world to set up an activity for the children to enjoy - no it’s not necessary but it’s nice for them and there’s nothing wrong with that. Thank you for the helpful comments 🥰

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.

Sticker books! And various other crafty stuff. Have a look at Baker Ross online, they do loads of good kits.

Still would love to know what you do for a job!

A treasure hunt sounds so fun, thank you!

yep, agree. My boss has actually said he doesn’t know what we all get up to daily and doesn’t care as long as the work is done so… what do you want me to do?! 😂 I love Mumsnet

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

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.

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.

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

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?)

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

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!

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!

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.

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.