Working hybrid and when I'm home the kids somehow know exactly when I'm on an important call. Last week my 5 year old started screaming about needing juice RIGHT NOW during a meeting with our exec team. Put him on mute but everyone knew. Feel like I need some kind of system or soundproof room or something. What's your setup?
Coaching little league taught me that kids have a radar for when you're unavailable. Honestly I just tell them upfront 'Dad's working for 30 minutes, here's what you can do.' Helps sometimes.
One kid and I still can't crack the code on this. Somehow she knows exactly when I'm talking to my boss. Now I just give her a snack and earbuds before calls start.
They have a sixth sense for it, I swear. My trick is bribing them with a movie or snack right before I get on. Buys me at least 20 minutes of peace.
This is the worst. I've learned to just schedule calls when my wife can take the kids to the park. Doesn't always work but it saves me from explaining why there's screaming in the background while I'm trying to talk about quarterly metrics.
I set up a specific signal with my kids - when my door is closed and there's a do not disturb sign, they know it's serious. Took a few weeks to drill into them but it actually works now.
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The second you unmute is when someone needs a juice box, right? I've had to mute in the middle of sentences more times than I can count. Maybe schedule calls for nap time if you can swing it.