The pandemic gave us so many new delightful experiences. Sneezing into masks. Cloroxing groceries. And for many of us.. WORKING FROM HOME WITH CHILDREN.
For about 5 minutes it sounded like fun.
The thing about work is, you need to focus. You want to get it done, so you can actually, at some point…stop working.
But if your children see you, then you’re on THEIR TIME.
Even as I type this article, my 7-year-old daughter is next to me, telling me all about the books she’s supposed to be “reading quietly.” I’ll take a photo to prove it.
My morning began like this….“Kids, I’m going on a zoom meeting for 45 minutes. Do your chores and then play outside. Do not disturb me for any reason unless you need to go to the hospital.”
Seconds later a small head pops in the door asking for a Popsicle. Out of zoom frame, I give the look of death and mouth “GET. OUT.”
In loud, urgent whispers, another voice cries, “Mom! Elise is supposed to fold all the towels, but she’s only folding kitchen towels!” A wail of protest breaks through my office door, “That’s not true! Collin is LYING!!!!”
I mute the meeting and gracefully excuse myself. In the startlingly quiet death tone heard only from mothers, I explain, “If you don’t get the hell out of here, I will remove screen time for 5 weeks straight.”
I’ve learned to work and focus faster with kids in my workplace. But I’ve never been more exhausted because when you WFH with kids, you never, EVER stop. Checking emails at 5:30am. Hiding in the pantry finishing a report. Staying in the car in the garage to send texts. Just as those kids infiltrate your work time, your work time infiltrates your home time.
Now let’s add on the guilt.
The guilt is what’s allowing my daughter to lay here and “read quietly” while I’m on deadline because we feel guilty working in their space. And because they really do just want to be near us. And they want permission for popsicles.
Here are sanity tips:
- Focus on what you actually produce, not the time it takes to do it.
- Get up early, before everybody starts asking for pancakes.
- Tell the kids a specific time you’ll spend with them, and stick to it.
- Admit you’re WFH with kids, and expect your coworkers to accommodate.
- Find your comfort in mini-moments. Stock up on caffeine, ear-plugs and take baths daily. Not to relax per se, but the kids leave me alone so I can actually return some emails.
Follow Natalie Plummer on Instagram, @hellomeridian. You can also listen to Natalie and her husband Shane, hosts of the local podcast @theboisebubble