How To Balance the Gift of Working From Home

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Balancing

Balancing family life while working can be incredibly challenging. Adding personal goals and venturing into your own business only amplifies the complexity, turning it into a small company you’re trying to manage. From handling finances, maintaining a marriage, and raising kids, to ensuring you’re not neglecting your spiritual and physical well-being, the struggle is real. I’m right there with you. I’ve been working from home for a little over three years now, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I enjoy a lot more freedom and quality time with my daughter and husband.

Don’t get me wrong; it comes with its fair share of difficulties, but it’s worth it. Some might think it’s impossible to be a full-time work-from-home parent without childcare, but it’s doable. So, hey there, incredible moms and dads who are juggling the demanding roles of full-time parenting while working from home! I completely understand the struggle of trying to maintain some sense of order amidst the chaos and keeping everyone (including ourselves) happy. Let’s kick back, relax, and enjoy some helpful advice and a few laughs as we navigate this crazy journey together.

Perfectly Balanced

Recently, I was talking to the Lord, about having a lack of patience for my daughter and how I probably should consider going to therapy. I sat quietly for a while in my room and I could hear the Lord reveal to me that I’m a perfectionist. While hearing that, I was able to see how it steamed from my childhood into my adulthood and parenting. Feeling like everything has to be perfect from my marriage on down to my child and myself. Thinking that if it’s not perfect then it’s not right. I never want my child to feel like she is not able to make a mistake in life. In my pursuit of perfection, I quickly realized that it was an unattainable goal. Like searching for a needle in a haystack, trying to achieve flawlessness was an exercise in futility.

As a working parent, this lesson became even more apparent when I found myself on calls, desperately trying to maintain a professional image while my toddler decided to put on a spontaneous concert in the background. As I frantically tried to silence my little one’s enthusiastic performance, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and worried about the impression it would make on the person on the other end of the line. But to my surprise, instead of judgment or annoyance, I received understanding and even a few chuckles.

Relatable

It dawned on me that the person on the call may have been in my shoes before, juggling work and parenthood, and understood the unpredictable nature of children. In fact, they may have even been entertained by my child’s impromptu performance, reminiscing on their own children’s antics.

Or while my husband has on-camera meetings and she decides to hurt herself while we are both tied up. Little to our surprise, people are more understanding than we give them credit for. This is not to say I haven’t run across a few bad apples. But, the majority far outweighs the bad. I’m extremely grateful for my husband’s boss since she can relate on a larger scale, especially in a corporate role. He has on numerous occasions brought her on the camera and everyone greets her while she tries to have full conversations with them.

At that moment, I realized that striving for perfection was futile and unnecessary. Embracing the imperfections and challenges of balancing work and family is what makes this journey unique and beautiful. And in the end, it’s these moments of vulnerability and authenticity that create genuine connections and understanding with others. So, I’ve learned to let go of perfection and embrace the unpredictable chaos that comes with being a working parent.

Balancing Screen

At one point in my life, I swore never to indulge in the tablet society for my child. For obvious reasons, the internet is a scary place for the innocent. Now that my husband and I work from home, we allow screen time but with careful monitoring. Is it on a tablet? Not quite. We allow TV instead. I find TV easier to monitor than internet-connected tablets, which can easily get kids hooked.

This is not to cast judgment, as some of us might only have a tablet, and with all the parental controls in place, it can be fine. However, there are some things that parental controls can’t block, and those are the things I’m guarding against. I don’t feel my child’s mind needs to be influenced by the current gender changes around the world.

So, we do allow TV time to help out while we are both tied up with work. Our current go-to is Disney Plus, which has many favorites. She is currently into princesses, with top choices being Frozen 1 and 2, and Tangled, especially for Rapunzel. When we have downtime, we usually use that time to read to her or sit and watch a movie or show together. However, given the direction Disney Plus is heading, I might be considering canceling it soon.

Help & Play

When deadlines approach and you’ve got a toddler tugging at your sleeve, remember, that it’s okay to lean on a bit of screen time or call in reinforcements. Whether it’s a family member, a babysitter for a couple of hours, or even entertaining educational shows, these are tools in your parenting toolbox. Use them without guilt! Parenting is all about balance, and sometimes you need to prioritize certain tasks to maintain that balance.

We also call on help whenever we can, although it’s not often available. When help isn’t an option, we turn to other activities beyond TV to keep our child engaged. Drawing is one of our go-to activities, though we’ve had our fair share of messy moments and regrets. Despite this, it’s a great way to foster creativity. Another favorite in our house is kinetic sand, which provides hours of sensory play and is always a hit. It’s all about finding a mix of activities that work for your family and keeping a flexible mindset.

If you don’t have anything at hand, you can give your kid a box, and they will be satisfied. Buying all those toys for birthdays and holidays, only to see your child playing with the box they came in, speaks volumes about their creativity and humility. Children often find joy in the simplest things, reminding us that it’s not always the expensive or elaborate gifts that matter most. This simplicity and ability to find wonder in everyday objects are qualities we can all learn from.

Meal Prep: A Lifesaver

Often, work starts before the little one is up and at ’em, giving me time to think about what she will be eating for breakfast. I have a picky toddler, and like most toddlers, she is not a big eater of meals. If she doesn’t want something or doesn’t like it, she simply won’t eat it. However, something that does help is meal prepping. I know that after work, I’m tired and don’t want to add anything extra to my plate, but I once heard someone say, “Tomorrow me will be grateful.”

My husband and I often tackle breakfast together. He might prep while I cook, or vice versa. This teamwork makes the mornings smoother and ensures that our daughter has something she’ll enjoy eating. Meal prepping not only makes our mornings more efficient but also helps reduce the stress of figuring out meals on the spot.

Something as simple as prepping your kids’ meals can save you heaps of time during the busy workweek. Having breakfast ready to go means you can squeeze in a few extra precious minutes of work while your little ones dive into their food—and maybe a book or their favorite cartoon. This gives you that peaceful work sprint you desperately need. Meal prepping not only ensures your kids have healthy and convenient options, but it also helps create a smoother morning routine, reducing stress for everyone involved.

Something quick that always helped with my toddler was applesauce and juice—consistent favorites on her part. This could be something you aim for as well, having quick breakfast items like bananas ready to go. You can set them up the night before so that when your kids wake up, they can just grab them. Having these easy options on hand can make mornings much smoother.

Newborn Necessities

Working with a newborn is challenging, to say the least. It certainly was for me. My daughter suffered from mild acid reflux. This meant she had to remain in a specific position just to get some sleep or be comfortable. It made balancing work and caring for her even more difficult, as I had to constantly ensure she was positioned correctly to prevent discomfort and distress.

For those navigating work with a baby in arms, consider setting up your workstation in or near the nursery. Keep essentials like a bottle warmer, a comfortable swing, diapers, and wipes close by. This setup allows you to soothe your baby back to sleep without needing to move much. Additionally, having a playmat or a small collection of toys within reach can keep your baby entertained while you work. This arrangement not only makes it easier to meet your baby’s needs promptly but also helps you stay focused and productive during your work hours. By creating a well-equipped and convenient workspace, you can better manage the demands of both work and parenting.

Breastfeeding? No Problem!

Breastfeeding is a natural part of parenting a newborn, and it takes a lot of energy on its own. I alternated between formula and breastfeeding, not by choice, but because it was deemed beneficial for the baby. That’s a story for another time. I kept some formula and breast milk in a mini fridge nearby since my workstation was in the nursery. Her nursery wasn’t very big, and neither was my desk or mini fridge. Having everything close by made it easier to manage both work and feeding.

If you’re breastfeeding while on video calls, simply angle the camera up a little—face only, please! Keep a comfy nursing pillow and a blanket nearby to maintain privacy and comfort. This way, you can continue to attend meetings and stay engaged with work while taking care of your baby’s needs discreetly and comfortably.

Finding Balance

Mastering the balance doesn’t mean getting it perfect every time. It’s about making the best out of this crazy, beautiful life while nurturing our careers and our little ones. Embrace the chaos, cherish the small victories, and find joy in the little moments. Keep loving, keep laughing, and remember, you’re doing an amazing job!

Every parent’s journey is unique, and sharing our experiences can be incredibly helpful and inspiring. If you have any tips or strategies that have worked for you, please share them below! Share a clever toddler entertainment hack, a time-saving meal prep tip, or a way to sneak in some self-care. I’d love to hear how other parents are making it work and making it fun too. Let’s support each other in this journey and celebrate the wonderful job we’re all doing.

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