For the first time in many of our lifetimes, partners are both at home and working from home at the same time.

How can you make it work?

Dr Phil recently vlogged about it and shared some tips:

• Be honest  Acknowledge up front that this is how it has to be for a while.
• Make a list of annoyances  The more upfront you are about what drives you crazy about each other, the more likely you are to avoid those behaviors.
• Don’t argue in front of the children
• Have a “safe word” Know when to say “when” so you can end an argument and walk away.
• Rotate  Alternate your time in different parts of the house so you’re not always on top of each other.
• “Get a pair”.  Use your headphones to play Lite Rock 97.3 or a podcast to have some “you” time.
• Mix it up.  Don’t do the same thing every day.
• Don’t be a “slug”.  Instead of waking up and throwing on yesterday’s clothes or some sweatpants, take a shower, change and do what you’d do if you were leaving the house in your normal routine.
• Pay attention to the first four minutes of the day.  What you’ll do in those first moments of interaction with your partner will set the tone for the rest of your day.

Also don’t forget to do nothing every now and again…although you may be tempted to binge watch that Netflix show or clear out your DVR in your now “free” time, an LA Times blogger advises to “take a moment” for you.