First, be sure you have a dedicated office space whose location doesn't change. That is, avoid working, even temporarily, in other spaces such as the kitchen, since that might be interpreted by family members as an invitation to engage you.

Second, if your kids can be mostly unsupervised, set up your work schedule and review it with them. Emphasize that they should treat those times just as if you were in your regular office. Moreover, try to keep these hours consistent so children become accustomed to them but know you'll be available afterward. Next, when appropriate, assign homework, chores, and other activities to keep kids occupied while you're working.

Last, if your children require more direct supervision, you could consider splitting work/supervising times with a spouse or partner, or using any still-operating day care to look after the kids during your work hours. If such help isn't available, your best recourse is to work around their napping and sleeping times as much as possible. If that's the case, alert your supervisors and staff so they know you might not be available certain hours during this extremely trying, but hopefully temporary, time. E