Being a working mom is hard, being a work-from-home mom is hard, and being a mom in general is hard period! But let’s chat about how you are supposed to work from home with little ones under your feet- or desk in my case. As I type this my son is under my desk. It’s frustrating but it’s also the biggest blessing I never knew I needed or wanted. Read my book Conversations with Colton to hear more about our journey to get here.
What a joy it was to be home with my son this summer. Now don’t get me wrong it’s hard but at one time this was something I longed for and now to see it coming true, I feel it’s important to remember and keep this at the forefront of my mind even during the hard days.
One of the biggest mistakes we make as moms working from home is believing that we will be able to work the same way we would without kids in our “office.” Thinking this way makes working this way feel even harder and it may even make you believe that it’s just not possible but it is possible! The first step is to change your mindset so keep reading for some practical changes I have made!
1. Plan my work to be completed in sections!
It helps me to work for 30 minutes, take a break, check on my child and reset him with a new activity before I start a new task. Assuming I will have an hour of uninterrupted time is not helpful and not practical.
2. Plan meetings and zooms separately!
It feels like every time someone else’s face pops up on my computer my child is ready to put on a show for them. So, during these times I often put on a show for him. It’s usually an old hockey game or I will wait until I know my husband will be home if I really need privacy.
3. Be prepared for interruptions!
My most common interruptions are:
- I need a snack
- I’m bored
- Can you help me do X, Y, Z
All of these can mostly be avoided if you have them already set up with an activity and a snack. But if I still get interrupted, I can stay focused and redirect him because I already planned for it.
4. Communicate your situation with your clients or your team!
While you may try your best to work as productively as possible chances are it won’t go smoothly all the time. Be open about your situation and communicate it to everyone who needs to know.
5. Make the most of your phone!
Learn to use your phone to support your work needs. As a writer I use voice to text a LOT! If I have an idea or need to send myself a reminder, I can do this while on a walk, at the park or even at the pool!
Now-I don’t do any of these things perfectly, but these things help me when working from home feels like it’s TOO hard!