Guest Blogger:
Working Remotely From Home? How Parents Can Balance Family Life with Work Obligations
By: Kelli Brewer with DeployCare
If you are a remote-working parent trying to balance the responsibilities of childcare with the demands of your job, you know it can seem nearly impossible at times. Sure, it’s great to be with your little one for all those precious early childhood moments. And working from home gives you a lot more power over your life — at least in theory. In practice, if you are parenting infants or toddlers, you may feel more powerless now than you’ve ever felt before. And you may be wondering if you’re doing something wrong.
The reality is that this is easy for no one. And there is no one right way to achieve work/life balance when “life” means non-stop childcare. Every other remote working parent is experiencing similar frustrations. The upside to this is that there are a lot of resources on how to survive and keep on top of your myriad obligations. Here are some of the things remote working parents have found to be helpful.
Accept Where You are Now
While positive thinking is great, unrealistic thinking can be debilitating. If you keep telling yourself that it’s possible to cram a ridiculous amount of work into small timeslots, you are going to find yourself more and more frustrated, while never seeming to complete any of the tasks on your ever-growing list. So, take a deep breath and a clear look at what is possible.
Simplify Where You Can
Once you’ve realized that you don’t have superhuman powers of time-control, try to eliminate any unnecessary goals or projects that keep you from getting the important things done. This may mean learning to say “no” when people ask you to take on extra obligations. It may mean outsourcing or delegating. It may even mean cutting a few activities out of your schedule or postponing some plans for later. The time will come when you can return to those postponed plans; for now, focus on essentials.
Optimize Nap Time
If your only uninterrupted time is when your child naps, make that your chance to do any work that requires intense focus. Or, if you are really feeling exhausted, use that time to check out completely and give yourself a break from everything. Save work that requires less concentration for when your child is playing or enjoying a little screen time.
Set a (Flexible) Schedule
It’s important to have a schedule so you don’t waste time trying to remember what you were supposed to be doing next, and so tasks don’t slip through the cracks. But it’s equally important to be open to change when things don’t go as planned. So, if your baby won’t sleep, or your toddler made an epic mess you have to clean up, don’t think of this as ruining your schedule. Rather, take a deep breath and rearrange your plans to accommodate the unexpected.
Find a New Job
If your current work setup is proving to be too stressful, it might be time to seek alternative employment. Particularly if you are unable to achieve a flexible schedule that fits your circumstances. Rather than simply quitting, start to put out feelers first for a new job through your network, and check out different job sites.
Go Back to School
If you’re working part-time from home with your kids in tow, you may have your sites set higher for down the road when they start school. Now could be the perfect time to go back to school for your master’s, paving the way for better opportunities and a higher salary once you graduate. For example, an MBA program will help you learn the functions of management, operations, marketing and leadership, all necessary skills that can enhance your business acumen. And if you choose to enroll in an online university, you’ll have the flexibility you need to learn on your own schedule.
Don’t Neglect Self-Care
Between tending to work and caring for your family, don’t forget to care for yourself as well. If you get too worn out, it will be even harder to keep up. Self-care can mean taking time to exercise, enjoying a hot bath, or even time spent reading. Keeping your home organized and clean will also help, as you will feel more upbeat and energized in an airy and appealing space. Use simple storage solutions to clear away clutter and get rid of unsightly messes.
While this time in your life comes with more than its share of challenges, try to keep your focus on the positive, especially spending more time with your child as they grow and discover the world. And in those moments where it seems especially hard, just remember: this isn’t forever.
More Information on Kelli Brewer and DeployCare can be found at:
Website: DeployCare.org
Visit TheraPlay4Kids for kid- and family-friendly ideas and activities.
