As any working parent can attest – the cost of childcare has spiralled out of control.
Many parents are literally working to pay to have their child minded so they can work to pay for the childminding… With advances in technology making remote offices and working from home a real option for many and the wrench of being separated from their newborn too stressful – parents in droves are now choosing to combine work with child rearing.
For those running a business from a home office whilst juggling parenting the pressures can be extreme, with the demands of business battling our natural desire to raise and nurture our baby. After all, we are told we are so fortunate having the luxury to do both at the same time. The reality, however, can be quite different; with each competing for priority.
On your feet
If you spend a lot of time on the phone or even short bursts of intense conversation, get a headset and get out. The beauty of the headset is, you have your hands free. The downside is that a crying baby can derail any phone call.
To circumvent this problem, have a pram ready to go near the door. Pop baby (or if you have two, perhaps a toddler and a newborn), into the pram and take a walk. There are amazingly adaptable twin prams on the market which can accommodate the smallest and largest babies and children simultaneously.
Pushing a pram around the local streets is almost guaranteed to quieten a crying baby and your headset gives you the freedom to walk and talk in peace. Once you get home, if baby is asleep, you can just move the pram from room to room with you, leaving them undisturbed but always in sight.
Adapting a timetable
Building a timetable around baby’s sleep cycle can be harder than it sounds, especially in the early days before a routine has been established.
If you have a partner home in the evenings, try to adapt your work schedule so detailed or highly intense work is done then. Babies, whether they are crying or happy are a major distraction. It’s not just what they are doing now but what they might do any minute.
Use technology intelligently
Encourage email correspondence in preference to phone calls. Mute phone and put it on vibrate on a hard surface to avoid disturbing a sleeping baby.
Office layout
Spending some time and thought in how your office or work space is configured can make the task of work-parenting a little easier.
Try to put some space between working and baby zones. Set aside an area to play soft music (perhaps a little Mozart to get those brain cells stimulated). Arrange for a change-table and a portable cot or pram so you can move baby from room to room with you without disturbing them.
Arrange lighting so it is concentrated on your work-space and have some form of blackout window treatments to allow you to continue working without disturbing baby with bright lights.
Accessories
There are a wealth of products on the market which can make your life a little easier. One example is a baby sling which can make breastfeeding easier whilst you continue to work.
Consider purchasing some of the following items which can make life for the working parent a little less stressful:
- Front sling or mei tai
- Baby sound machine
- Baby bean bag
- Rocker
Parenting a newborn can involve an adjustment period at the best of times. For those attempting to combine the pressures of work with this learning curve, it can take a little adjustment to get into a balanced rhythm. Be patient with yourself and baby.
If you do decide to work from home whilst your baby is small, the challenges and returns can be huge. It is not the easiest path but can be the most rewarding.