Context
I worked from home before the Pandemic, so I have a separate office space, a routine and kids that know that "Daddy's working" means you don't go in his office.
What Changed?
Well, the above is all very well when you have kids that are in the daily routine of school/nursery but when schools and nurseries closed, their whole "normal" went out the window - and with it mine.
Loving Firmness
How do you tell a three year old who is being ignored by mum (because she's doing school work with an older child I might add) that you're happy that he came upstairs to "visit" you, but he needs to go and do something else? The only answer I can find is "Lovingly but firmly" - and it's so hard.
I'm fortunate in that I really enjoy my work, but even so the temptation to keep him with me in the office and let him bounce about the room is enormous. However, that breaks the boundary of "Daddy's working" and makes it twice as hard (and confusing for him) the next time.
A return to normal?
Thankfully, I've done relatively well at enforcing this boundary in a positive fashion: vastly aided by my commitment to my wife to take the youngest out to the park every lunch time. That separate "Daddy time" has formed a routine of sorts and helps him feel like he's not completely ignored.
Will everything go back to "normal" when nurseries go back next week? Probably not, but we survived as best as could be hoped, even if focus was affected!