The summer is coming! Now we've got to start preparing for what the summer holidays will hold, but, as every parent will attest, it's not too easy to juggle work while also making sure that your kids are occupied during the summer holidays. We only have four weeks annual leave (even less for those freelancers out there!), so inevitably, there will be some carryover where we have to keep an eye on the children at the same time as doing our work. This is where you may want to create an office garden, especially for those wonderful summer months. But what are the best ways to do this? 

Set up Your Spot

If you are glued to your laptop all day, think about the best place to work and how you need to make this space sacrosanct. It's for you, and you alone. Maybe it's worth thinking about making a couple of simple investments to make it a private setup. There are small laptop desks available online, but also make sure that you aren’t caught out by the weather. It's worth investing in outdoor patio furniture right now because it will help you work in the shade, but will work for alfresco dining season. Once you've set up your spot, make it clear to the kids that it is for you! It is crucial, much like when working from home, to set up boundaries. 

Invest in an Upgraded Garden Shed

For those who have a bit more money to spare, you may want to use this opportunity to set up a garden office. Depending on where you look, they can be particularly expensive, but the great thing about the summer months is that it's not going to be uncomfortably cold so it can be quite basic. However, if you are looking to upgrade your property, an external office could make all the difference, especially as more people are working from home these days. 

Don't Forget the Internet!

As nice as it is to head out to the garden, what happens if the internet doesn't “stretch” that far? The best solution is to get yourself a wifi booster. If you and your significant other are both working from home, and your laptops are battling for the internet signal, a wifi booster is a good way to boost it. If you aren't going to be online much you could use a dongle or tether your laptop to your mobile. If these aren't options and you can't stretch out too far into the garden, at the very least, you can work in the kitchen with the doors open! It's not the same, however, it gives you easy access to the kettle!

If you are fixing up your garden, it should be a space for productive work. We often don't want to work when the sun is shining. If you don't have much holiday left to book, you've got to find a way to get the most of the sunshine while also spending a bit of time with your family. It's not easy, especially when you are sat glued to a computer, but if we have learned anything from the last 14 months, it is that we have to make do with what we've got. You can definitely make the best of working at home in the summer with children around. 

This is a collaborative post.