When WHO announced Covid-19 as a pandemic, most organisations and even small businesses shifted their paradigm. From that time, going virtual and working from home has become a norm. However, working from home while giving your kids attention can be overwhelming.
Imagine having a zoom meeting, and your kid wants you to hold them. What about receiving calls while in the bathroom, yet children keep knocking at the door? It must be hectic for sure!
But don’t panic. Here are tips for staying productive and still be a great mom while working from home.
Create a Schedule
Working from home means striking a balance between Mom-ing and working. But you can only achieve it if you have a schedule. It’s crucial to line up the day while setting “office” hours.
Have a set number of hours you’d want to work per day and even when to return calls and reply to emails. Figure out what you can accomplish while your daughter or son is colouring. It’s all about working smart, not harder.
Since you’re now your own boss, you can schedule your sleeping and waking up hours. For instance, you can wake up at 3 am and work until your kids wake up and bond with them as you take breakfast.
Then schedule a nap during the day. Working from home gives you ultimate flexibility such that you can make few adjustments. If your child is fussing during working hours, you can push assignments aside and engage in fun activities.
Separate Business and Mom Roles
Being a therapist, nanny, and chef are all skills you’ve acquired as a mother. And if you add business responsibility, you can basically handle it all. But you need to set goals and know what to do, when, and how.
Get a planner and write down all family and work-related obligations. It’s crucial you don’t neglect either role. Start with simple tasks like grocery or attending a virtual meeting at 9 am. Once you write all tasks, separate responsibilities to ensure your job doesn’t overtake your mom’s role or vice versa.
Seek Help if You Need It
Remember, you’re not superhuman. Feeling overwhelmed is an indication that you’re already doing more than enough. Combining child care and working at home it’s never easy, especially if you have a child with special needs.
If this is your case, you can hire a professional caregiver to take care of your children. You can ask friends to offer a helping hand.
Alternatively, you can enrol your child in a Private SEN school where they can play and learn all day as you work.
Keep Your Kids Entertained
If you give your children a little quality time, you will get two to three hours to work. Set aside some personalised tools and toys that your children can play with. Once you keep kids entertained, they’re less likely to interrupt your working hours.
Fortunately, there are free resources that can keep kids hooked and glued as you attend zoom meetings.
The Bottom Line
You’re already a great mom. But these tips will help you strike a balance between being the best mom and being productive at your job.