How to Get Home Projects Done with Small Children Around

Last month our family moved out of an apartment and into a house with a yard, Hooray! I wanted to dedicate the whole month of September to provided Moving Tips and Resources that have benefited our family over the years. In this post I wanted to discuss How to Get Home Projects Done with Small Children Around as this can create a challenging situation when trying to accomplish things on a To Do List…

Hire Help to Get Home Projects Done

If getting home projects done with small children around seems very daunting and you have the money, then by all means hire help! Movers, Painter, DIY Guy, Babysitter, etc. If a project seems overwhelming to you then ease that burden.

Over the years Sam’s work has paid for moves during job transition and what a blessing that was. Last year we paid out of pocket to have movers help Sam unload our Uhual as I wasn’t much help at 24 weeks pregnant. I have also hired Babysitting help during the years we did not have family nearby and I was the trying to pack up our homes while Sam was at work.

Ask Family OR Friends for Help

Could someone help you paint? Take the kids for a few hours? Maybe barter work with a friend, etc.
Recently my Parents took the kids for the day so Sam and I could declutter the apartment before our last move. It was SO nice to quickly work through each room and not have kids constantly asking why we were getting rid of something, could they have water, so and so took their toy, etc.

Take Advantage of Nap + Bedtime

This is how Sam and I got projects done when the kids were little. Depending on the project we would take one or two nights a week and dedicate them to Home Projects so we could knock them out.
Packing for a Move. Painting a room. Building Furniture. Decluttering a space. Hanging Shelves, etc. Sure, it may not get done as quickly as you may like, but being able to work on a Home Project without small children underfoot makes things go more smoothly.

Use Screen Time to Get Home Projects Done

This is helpful if your kids are young and you need to be nearby but want them distracted.
Declutter a Small Space. Pack a Box OR Two. Make a Phone Call. Change Out Cabinet Knobs. Unclog a Sink, etc. Letting them watch a few short 20+ minute shows while you knock out some quick projects can be very helpful.

Have Kids Help

If you kids are old enough, have them participate in age-appropriate tasks. Here are some ways our kids help with age-appropriate projects. Yard Work such as picking up sticks. We promise them a bonfire with Smores for their hard work. Helping plant a garden. Packing OR Unpacking Boxes. I have the kids that can label boxes for me. Sometimes I do have to go back and make words bigger or correct spelling. Have younger kids color the boxes when you are done packing them, so they are distracted yet feel helpful while you work on packing another box or two. Help Build Furniture by handing you screws or trying to use the hammer or screwdriver themselves. The project may take longer, but you are teaching them skills they will need as an adult.

The other day Sam and I were cleaning off the patio at our apartment. Olivia (8 years old) was playing with the Baby for us, and Wyatt (6 years old) and Luc (5 years old) where helping us carry old patio furniture to the trash. It was SO sweet to see them working together to carry a bench out to the trash. They were very proud of themselves and had the biggest smiles on their faces because they were helping Dad with the heavy lifting. 🙂

How do you get projects done with small kids around?

Please share your tips with us in the comments.