3 TIPS FOR WFH MOTHERS WITH BABIES DURING COVID TIME

 

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3 Tips for Working at Home with a Baby during the Pandemic

COVID-19 has drastically increased the number of parents with newborns working from home.

Being a new parent comes with its own challenges, but working from home during a pandemic

adds even more to an already daunting to-do list. 

While work may have structured hours, infants need time, attention, and care around the clock.

In this article, we will discuss three strategies parents of young children can use to improve their

productivity and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Capitalize on Technology

As a working parent, technology is your new best friend. By now you’re already an expert at multitasking,

so take work on the go with apps like Google Docs. Listen to the Zoom meeting while on a stroller walk.

This not only gives you exercise and fresh air but stimulates the baby’s senses and promotes better sleep. 

Wireless earbuds eliminate the tangle and won’t be pulled out by the baby. Phone applications can help

you keep grocery lists, meetings, and other obligations all in one location. The assistance that technology

provides is invaluable to your productivity, almost like a personal assistant. 

Time Batch

With more people working from home this past year, time batching work has become a popular strategy. Time batching groups repetitive work into one time period and reduces the time spent switching from task to task. These tasks could include anything from sending emails and scheduling meetings to editing, managing budgets, or entering data.

Repeatedly switching tasks has a negative effect on productivity, and it can be tough to stay focused when you’re also taking care of a child. Every moment of work counts for busy parents, and this

method of work reduces wasted distractions and wasted time.

Schedule Around Downtime 

The most valuable time of the day is naptime. While it might be tempting to rest while your infant naps,

working through it will allow you to get much more work done. Turn on that baby monitor and take

advantage of the uninterrupted work time. You should also schedule important meetings during this time

in order to give them your undivided attention. 

While naptime is often the best time to work, you can still utilize other downtimes during the day. You may

notice post-meal tiredness in your child. These short, uninterrupted times of day are ideal for time

batching. Consider an indoor baby swing to help entertain and lull the child to sleep. The less time you have to spend in the rocking chair, the better. 

It’s difficult to achieve a good work-life balance, but it’s an achievable goal even for new parents. That said, it will take plenty of adapting and trying out new methods of working. If you’re used to

a 9 to 5 schedule, this may be the time to become more flexible. These tips will help you stay on

top of your work obligations while taking care of your child and managing any other responsibilities.