We’ve all had to adjust to the new normal imposed on us this year by the ongoing pandemic with many unsure about their job security with Work-from-Home. The lockdown has been a source of stress and depression for many, but it’s also been a blessing in disguise for mothers who’ve been looking for reasons to be able to just stay indoors and spend more time with the family. But this pandemic is in no way a vacation and many have chosen to take up work that they can do in the safety of their own home.
This new Work-from-Home situation has brought on a new set of challenges that have been difficult for a lot of mothers to manage. Although working from home has its benefits, there is still a need to be able to keep a definite work-life balance.
In this article, you will learn about the 5 challenges of a work-from-home mom and how to overcome them.
Having a dedicated workspace for Work-from-Home
When you work-from-home, your home life and your work life can get pretty blurry. The best way to minimize this is to give yourself a dedicated workspace. Find yourself a room or a corner as far away from your bedroom and your family as possible. Establishing a dedicated workspace will keep the focus on your work and away from the inevitable noise and demands of your children.
Separate yourself mentally from the rest of your house so you’re less inclined to give them attention when what you need is to prioritize your work so you can earn to provide for your beloved family.
Set your work hours
There will never be a time when your children will pull your attention away from your work for something they deem a necessity. This is not to say that the needs of your child aren’t important, but rather you need to assess how important it is to answer their call.
You’ll be able to attend to your duties as a mom and an employee if you plan. Best to know ahead of time what you need to do for the day so you know how much time to give to your work and how much time to give to your loved ones. Your family will be grateful for the minutes you spend cooking them food, playing with them, and showering them with love when you can. It’s about working smart, not hard.
Make the most of naptime
It’s a precious moment when your child takes a nap. The house is quieter and more peaceful when the kids are down for the afternoon. This is a golden opportunity you wouldn’t want to miss because, in those few hours, you’ve more time and focus to dedicate to your work.
During this time, you can schedule those important work meetings with little to no interruptions. Also, and this may hurt a little, if your baby wakes up crying, resist the urge to go check on them immediately. It won’t be the death of either of you, and the child can also learn how to soothe themself in moments like this.
Keep your kids amused
Sometimes it does pay to give your kids the attention they need. They may want a good chunk of your time, but even playing with them for a few hours can keep them entertained enough to buy you a couple more hours of work.
Another thing you can do is to provide them with toys, activities, and books to keep them amused. It’s less likely that they will disturb you if they have something to look forward to. And if your child wants to feel like they can work beside you, set up a small area in your workspace for arts and crafts so they can amuse themselves quietly while you attend to your priorities.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
There are days when you can’t avoid certain responsibilities at home and this can make you feel a bit overwhelmed when you have so much to do. This is when it’s okay to call for outside help, assuming you’re not under quarantine. Calling on a teenager to babysit can provide you with the assistance you need if all you need is a couple of free hours to work.
Your significant other can also be a great source of support. When you’re too busy to attend to housework, your partner can pick up the slack. You both can be of help to each other by taking on certain responsibilities when the other is not available to do so. Call the professionals for some house cleaning, like this company that does mold testing in Tampa.
Finding the proper work-from-home-and-life balance is a skill and it will take some time to figure out how to manage it successfully. But being able to work-from-home is a blessing. It keeps you close to your family while still being able to provide for them in our lives today.
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