Our Editors' Tips on How to WFH With Your Partner

If you're anything like us, working from home with your partner the last few weeks has presented some challenges. We're all lucky to be able to stay safe at home, but spending 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, under the same roof definitely requires some planning and compromise. Like everyone, we're looking for the silver linings in the current situation and for how this unprecedented event can make relationships even stronger, and couples more connected. We love that this time means we get to see a different side of our partners—the work one! And that they're seeing that side of us too. Below, our editors are sharing how they're making work from home with their partners, well, work!

Sync Your Work Schedules

When your work space becomes your home and your home becomes your work space, it can get surprisingly difficult to find that work/life balance. So, my boyfriend and I make it a point to sync our work schedules as much as possible. Every day we take a moment to connect with each other over lunch and we also try to wrap up work at the same time. This way we have plenty of time to focus on the more important thing: us! —Mariah Kulak, Social Media Manager

Get to Know What the Other Actually Does All Day

Believe it or not, a nice part of working from home with my S.O. has been showing him what I actually do for a living. You can explain to your partner time and time again what your job is and what you're responsible for getting done every day, but they may never really understand until they see you in action. I've enjoyed letting Andrew in on my day-to-day tasks, even listening in on some meetings. It has given him a greater understanding and appreciation for my work, which has been great for our relationship.—Samantha Netkin, Editor

Bring Back the Cocktail Hour—at Any Hour!

My husband has been leaning into this creativity over our bar, and I can't complain. Think amaretto, vodka, fresh orange juice and a Luxardo cherry for Zoom brunch dates, and dirty (filthy) martinis when the clock strikes 5 on Fridays. We've been juicing aging citrus fruits as mixers and getting creative with our use of our vintage glassware. We're not bored yet!—Elspeth Velten, Group Editorial Director

Be a Source of Support

One of the advantages about WFH with your partner is that they're now on hand to lend a sympathetic ear or to offer advice. Although you may not know the ins and outs of each other's professional lives, it can be helpful to gain a different perspective and to use each other as a resource for navigating tricky work issues. While some couples don't like to mix their professional lives with their personal lives, it can still be comforting to know that your support system is sitting in the next room.—Sophie Moore, Editor

Keep Week Nights and Weekend Nights Separate

We're treating Friday and Saturday nights completely different from week nights. Monday through Thursday we take the time after our son goes to bed to catch up on work or zone out watching TV. So Friday and Saturday night we're trying to keep some form of date night that doesn't involve work. That means instead of emails after dinner we're playing backgammon together (something we haven't done in years!), trivia games online and watching new shows. Forced unplugging from work time has also helped both of us to not bring work stress "home." —Roberta Correia, Editorial Director

Divide and Conquer and Pay Attention to Little Things

For us, it's each one of us taking our son for an hour or two a day to give the other one some true 1:1 time to work. Typically that time with our son is spent doing school work or getting him outside...both of which are equally productive for him! We've also been a bit more attentive to each other with small things in the morning—making the other one coffee or breakfast (typically this stuff is an every-human-for-him/herself!) before the day gets crazy. All of this just sort of happened organically--we never really talked about or planned them. And I'd also say we're trying to watch an hour or two of TV together at night to just shut down. In theory working from home sounds like it would be more relaxed but it's by far one of the craziest undertakings we've had to navigate as a couple, which makes the need to do something mindless (like Tiger King mindless) a true need to have, not nice to have!—Leah Wyar, VP & General Manager