In recent years, remote work has become increasingly common in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people primarily working from home tripled between 2019 and 2021, reaching nearly 27.6 million.
While the flexibility of remote work offers many benefits, it also presents unique challenges—especially for parents managing both their job responsibilities and the needs of their children. With more families adapting to this lifestyle, finding ways to balance work and home life has never been more critical.
One of the most significant challenges faced by parents working from home is balancing professional duties with childcare. Kids require attention, interaction, and constant supervision, making it difficult to focus during work hours. Juggling meetings, deadlines, and emails while trying to keep children entertained can quickly lead to burnout. This balancing act often results in parents feeling pulled in two directions—neither fully available for work nor their kids.
Tablets, smartphones, and other tech tools can provide much-needed support for working parents. Devices can keep kids entertained with educational content or games, allowing parents to focus on tasks. However, there’s a risk that children may become overly dependent on screens. Too much screen time or exposure to non-educational content can negatively impact children’s development, leading to issues like reduced attention spans or increased restlessness.
To avoid these risks, it’s important to select apps carefully. For more guidance on this, check out our other blog post: Best Non-Addictive Learning Apps for Kids.
While excessive screen time can be a concern, the right app can be a lifesaver for parents working from home. Smart Tales is designed not only to engage and educate children with interactive STEM-based stories and activities but also to give parents peace of mind. Its user-friendly interface allows even younger children to play independently, with voice-guided instructions for games and narrated stories that help kids follow along without needing constant help.
Smart Tales—available on the App Store and Google Play—also ensures a safe and distraction-free environment. With parental controls and no ads, you can trust that your child is learning in a secure space, even if you can’t supervise them every second. For working parents, this means more focused time for work, knowing your child is developing important skills like coding, creativity, and self-confidence.
Plus, in the dedicated parent section, you can track your child’s progress in subjects like science and math, and see the creative, cognitive, and literacy skills they are building.
Finding balance while working from home with kids can be tough, but the right strategies and tools can make it easier. Leveraging educational apps like Smart Tales allows you to turn screen time into learning time, keeping your kids entertained while providing peace of mind. By carefully managing both your work and your child’s development, remote work can become a rewarding experience for the whole family.