A.T.
Hi E.,
I SO know how you feel. When I started working from home everything was great. Then it's like it dawned on my daughter that this was a way to push my buttons and get what she wanted. She knew that if I was working then I couldn't focus my full attention on her at times. I felt like I was spinning in circles, yet going nowhere. I was trying to work and do it all at one time, all day long.
I finally set a schedule. I started first by watching our days for a little bit to see when she was the rowdiest and when she was a little more relaxed. I try to spend a little time working in the mornings before she gets up, then we spend the morning - breakfast etc. together. We have our time when we play and color. When it's nice outside we spend as much time out there as possible. I can work while she plays in the yard. Luckily my position allows me to work mainly by appointment so I can also schedule during naps and our slower times. But the main thing is to have a schedule and work when it's work time and stop when it's not. We have to work smarter, not harder. Even though we are working at home, we still need to acknowledge some kind of closed sign or we will work ourselves ragged and still not be where we want to be.
The schedule will be hard for all at first, but we all like structure and predictability. Once everyone gets used to the schedule it will just be "a way of life." Hopefully you will get to relax a little too.
Have a great one!
A.