Parenting Pointers: - New Parents: 5 Tips to Stay Productive While Working From Home

 

(Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-carrying-her-baby-and-working-on-a-laptop-4079281/ )

Feeling overwhelmed from juggling a full taskload, a new baby, and working from home? Not only are you without the support of office staff right now, but you also aren’t able to separate work life from home life during this WFH period. The only upside is that you get to spend more time with your new baby and in the comfort of your own home.

If you have been feeling like you’re burning the candle at both ends, these tips are here to help you get back on track. Luckily, you are not in this alone as there are thousands of new parents out there in the same boat. Stay strong and don’t be too hard on yourself!

1. Create a Time Blocking Calendar

First things first: take a deep breath and set aside an hour of time to get organized. Just having a plan of action to move forward can relieve some of your stress and reset your outlook. Create a calendar of to-do’s and activities for the week with the knowledge that things can change later if your baby needs more of your time. Time blocking is a popular strategy for people working from home as it helps keep you motivated and let’s you visualize how you will spend the day. To help you track your time, an app like Toggl keeps track of where your hours are spent. You can see how much you are realistically working each day, how much time is with the baby, and what distractions are taking you away from these two priorities.

2. Utilize Nap Time Wisely

Ah, finally. Baby is down for a nap and there is peace and quiet in the house. While it may be tempting to put your feet up, use this precious time to get some work done without distractions. Jot down a to-do list and try to accomplish as many things on it as you can before the baby wakes up. You can return to the list the next time they are put down for naptime. 

3. Ask Friends and Family For Help

Don’t be shy about asking friends and family to watch after your little one for a few hours each week. Having that extra support during this stressful period can be a lifesaver for you and can be fun for your parents or friends, who might be lonely during lockdown and looking for something to do. You can also join virtual groups through the app Peanut, which connects women going through the same highs and lows of motherhood.

4. Work While You Breastfeed

Make every second of the day count while you’re working from home. While breastfeeding is an important bonding experience between new moms and babies, you can spend some of the time reading or catching up on light work on your phone or tablet. Once your baby is using a bottle, you can get a hands-free portable pump that will allow you to work on the computer while you pump. 

5. Invest in Helpful Baby Gear

We understand the desire to be somewhat frugal during the pandemic period, but when it comes to baby gear, a small investment could save you hours of frustration. For example, an indoor baby swing that can safely and gently rock your baby while you are working will be a huge asset so that you do not have to hold them all the time. A stylish cotton ring sling can also be great for walking around the house hands-free. If your baby has trouble falling asleep at night and at naptime, consider a sound machine to help soothe them into slumber.