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Like many parents, I thought things would “get back to normal” once the pandemic was over. My kids started going to school in person, and I was finally able to complete my day job without interruption.
I was wrong.
Of course my kids went back to school. However, they are often still at home due to vacations or other unforeseen reasons. Other than that, I often work reduced hours to attend their events and take them to various appointments. Is this all part of your job too? absolutely. Do you still get frustrated? That’s it! And that creates an interesting paradox.
I work to provide my children with the resources and opportunities they need. But they often interrupt my work, usually to tell me something about the resources or opportunities they need.
So if you’re balancing the worlds of entrepreneurship and parenting, the latest episode of the Launch Your Business podcast is for you. Parenting expert and licensed educational psychologist Reena B. Patel will also participate. Be prepared to take notes as she shares tips for getting the job done while giving the kids plenty of attention and support.
Check out some of my key points below.
work-life balance is a myth
Reena began spending time together while breaking the myth. While many of us go into entrepreneurship for flexibility, many of us expect to find some kind of perfect balance between our work life and our real life and family time.
But perfection does not exist. He may have one day in a year when each feels just balanced. “It’s going to be a give and take,” Lena said. “There may be deadlines, so some days you’ll have to spend more time at work, and other days your kids really need you.”
But Lena also says that giving and taking can actually be good for kids.
“I think fluidity and flexibility are one of the life skills. Whether you can give it to your kids (and teach yourself) is very important.”
Scheduling is your friend
While it’s important to commit to being flexible, Reena said it’s also important to maintain a schedule and routine. It’s like making breakfast for the kids and then getting dressed to go to work, or setting your preferred working hours and looping with your partner.
You can adjust this schedule to suit your kids (Lina said she tried to take lunch breaks at the same time as her kids during the pandemic), but what’s important is that you have a schedule and you It’s about sharing expectations about what the time will look like. like.
“I think it’s really important to establish an environment, a workspace, that helps you be more productive,” Lena says. “The last thing you want to do is end the day feeling like you accomplished nothing.”
If your child is a colleague, keep them busy with novelty items
The younger the kids, the more difficult this is, but Lena says one of the keys to keeping them entertained is to bring novelty to their time at home (or in the office/workplace). Told. Give them a designated place to play and cycle through different types of toys, puzzles and games.
“You don’t want all your toys outside all the time,” Lena said. “You want to rotate because it keeps that freshness and excitement there. Put something you haven’t been involved with in a long time in that box. And there’s that excitement, there’s that newness. “
Other ways this works well include bringing an unread book from the library, adding some new toys and crafts from the 100-yen shop, and for those times when you really need to work uninterrupted. For example, book an activity with your headphones on. While participating in a Zoom call.
Bonus: annoying
This is one of my favorite tips from Reena for teaching your child empathy. Of course, this is an important trait to instill, but Reena provided a unique way to do so.
Start by getting your kids involved in activities they enjoy. Let’s take coloring for example. Then interrupt them continuously while they engage in that activity. Make it uncomfortable until they get annoyed.
When that happens, say something like: “You don’t like being disturbed when you’re doing this, but neither do I like being disturbed when I’m working. So let’s find ways to give each other space.” Is required. “
In the best-case scenario, kids learn how to keep themselves occupied when their parents absolutely have to focus on work. Worst case, at least it’s fun to play.
next step
Are you ready to learn more from Reena so you can get the job done while giving your child full attention?
visit Lina’s website Access the latest guides and tools.
please follow her Instagram and LinkedIn
And of course, listen to the full podcast episode below.