The laptop is open. Child is on the back. Boss is on Zoom. And the mum is trying not to cry. This is work-from-home motherhood for many mums.
Many mums wanted to work from home to watch their kids. Now they cannot work well and cannot watch kids well. Guilt comes from both sides.
This is how to work when a child is climbing without shouting, without losing the job.
1. Stop doing 2 jobs at the same time: Divide the day into small blocks.
The brain cannot do Excel and "Mummy look" together.
You can't finish everything. But only the important things is what you should finish.
2. Make a "Mummy is working" signal:
Children climb because they don't know when mum is free.
Use a small red cap or scarf. When mum wears it, it means "Mummy is working, wait 10 minutes."
When mum removes it, it means "I am all yours."
I know a mum who used a cardboard STOP sign on her table. Her 3-year-old now says "Mummy stop sign, I wait."
3. Create a busy box, not more screen time:
Screen is easy but makes kids more cranky after.
Busy box of things ONLY for work time. Not everyday toys.
Put inside:
- Crayons and paper
- Stickers
- Small blocks
- Water and cup to pour
- Old calculator, old keyboard to press
Bring it out ONLY when work starts. Child will be excited because it is special. This gives 30-45 minutes of quiet.
Rotate things inside every 2 days so your child does not get bored.
4. Work space does not need to be big: One corner, one chair, one table. Tell family "When mum sits here, she is at work."
Use earpiece. Even if nothing is playing, when kids see earpiece, they know "Mummy is in meeting."
5. Stop feeling guilty for not doing it perfect:
Work-from-home is two full-time jobs in one room.
This is not failure. This is carrying two worlds.
If shouting happens today, apologize. "Sorry, Mummy was tired, not angry at you." Kids forgive fast.
If deadline is missed today — tell boss early, deliver tomorrow morning.
Rest when baby rests. Not to clean house. To rest the body. 20 minutes nap can save BP.
Conclusion
You cannot stop child from climbing. That is the child's job — to climb, to need, to love with whole body.
Mum's job is to teach small waits, and learn small rests.
Just implement gently.
WHO on burn-out as occupational phenomenon:
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
Found it helpful? Follow our blog, subscribe to our newsletter,
Send us your sponsorship post
Feeling burnout, get your reset here.
0 Comments