If you are a mother with young children, the last thing you likely need someone to tell you is that it’s extremely hard work. Children are a job that you don’t clock out from, and the responsibility of taking care of them can leave mothers tired and stressed.
Saying this, there is little doubt that many wouldn’t change things for the world, and that being a mother is a source of great joy and satisfaction – but this doesn’t mean that mothers don’t want to carry on working, and many will want to actively earn income in the meantime.
Now that working from home, as well as hybrid working, are a fully accepted and integrated part of the world of work, it opens up new opportunities for mothers to do just that. Being able to stay at home means that the children can still be looked after and avoids tricky situations such as hiring a carer to supervise them or giving up a career that has been worked on for many years. There are a lot of jobs now that can be worked from home, even physical ones. For example, if you are someone who breaks up their day with yoga to center yourself and be present, have you ever thought about teaching a class or two from your own home? You can use your living room or garden without having to rent out a studio. There is yoga teacher training in austin, as well as other more local places, that can help you achieve your certification without worrying about sticking yourself in an office for 8 hours out of the day, plus doing a commute!
Read on to find out more about methods you can use, as well as products you can buy, to make your working-from-home experience as a mother as efficient, effective, and stress-free as possible.
Mobile Workstation
One way of ensuring that you are not completely unavailable while working from home is having a mobile workstation, allowing you to move around the house while continuing to work. While it’s great to have a desk or dedicated working space, the challenges involved with having children around may mean that this isn’t entirely feasible.
Thankfully, having a powerful, capable and efficient mobile working station is no problem in the modern-day, with business graphics cards on the market that ensures no matter your profession, your computer or laptop will easily be able to handle everything a workday can throw at it. For example, AMD Ryzen 5 Mobile Workstations provide performance upgrades, security measures, and efficiency improvements.
Keep Routines Flexible
Routines are potentially the most important aspect of managing your responsibilities as a work-from-home mother – both in terms of being consistent during some times of the day while keeping an open mind during others.
With little ones, it’s impossible to know what challenges may lay ahead during the day, which is why it’s important to keep a flexible working mindset during this time. Short bursts of productivity followed by taking time to care for your child will still ensure that your work gets done, just in multiple blocks rather than in one solid period of time.
In order for you to maintain flexible time during the day, having a consistent morning routine will mean that expectations are in place for both you and your child and will mean that the day can get off to the strongest possible start. Expectations are important, as your child needs to have an understanding that you are not constantly available during certain hours of the day.
Prioritize Self-Care
The stresses of juggling work and parenting can quickly lead to burnout if you don’t take time for yourself. Build moments of self-care into your routine, even if it’s just 15 minutes to meditate, read, or enjoy a cup of tea in peace.
When possible, ask your partner or a family member to take over childcare duties for an hour so you can exercise, take a bath, or simply recharge. Putting on your own oxygen mask first allows you to be a better parent and employee.
Keep a Watchful Eye
During work hours, it’s crucial to stay focused, but nothing is more important than keeping an eye on your young children. For instance, getting a smart air conditioning system installed by professionals like those at sandri.com lets you check and adjust the room temperature from afar. This ensures your little ones stay cozy whether they’re napping or playing.
You can enhance your child’s safety by using baby monitors or cameras to monitor their activities. Installing door alarms or child safety locks can prevent them from wandering off unnoticed. Being proactive about childproofing and leveraging smart home technology can offer peace of mind while you focus on your work.
Seek Out a Support System
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s coordinating childcare coverage with your co-parent, hiring a mother’s helper for a few hours a week, or connecting with other work-from-home parents online, having a support system is crucial.
Join local parenting groups to find playdates where kids can socialize while you work nearby. Older relatives or a trusted neighbor may be willing to lend a hand occasionally. Building a network allows you to juggle responsibilities while avoiding isolation.