For months now, it's been "the norm" to work from home. Kids now study and/or tune in virtually for their schoolwork; much of the things that used to be done from an office or a classroom are now completed from the comfort of your own home. Though, in all reality, the norm is more of a discomfort.
Yes, it can be nice to be at home in your own element. For a while.
But at some point, accomplishing things in your pajamas becomes underwhelming. Rather than being a novelty, it's a burden. And it simply becomes harder to get things done with kids at home and work to be done. There are simply too many distractions.
However, it's not impossible. Hang in there, working parents! That goes for non-parents, or stay-at-home-parents, too. With a few simple tips, you can make the most of your being-at-home situation and instead, learn to thrive in the environment you're given.
Set Working and/or School Hours
First things first: determine when you'll be available to work and stick to that schedule. Responding to every email or text will give the impression that you're constantly on call. Instead, set hours in which you'll respond so others know how and when they can get ahold of you. The same goes for school. Have the kids sit down and work, then it's time for a break.
While you're at it, stay organized. This is tricky because everyone sorts out their days differently; find what works for you, and make it happen. Keep a calendar, use apps or reminders, and more. If you work best in chaos, so be it, but it's still a good idea to keep a list of when certain items are due. That goes for tests and work projects alike.
Resources to Help You Through the Day
Next, sign up for resources that can help make life easier. Remember that helpful does not have to be expensive. Always look for free versions or free alternatives to software; even a few dollars can add up when you're paying for multiple platforms.
AMSE is a wonderful resource for entrepreneurship, scheduling, networking, and marketing. Sign up for your FREE membership here to get your feet wet and to see how much you can learn.
There are great work platforms to assist you virtually. Loom is video recording at your service. Pay for the upgrades, or use it for free! Or stay in touch with co-workers and bring the office space to your computer via Tandem. Search for great resources but avoid paying for them; it's likely there's a free or affordable alternative.
Fake it Until you Make it
Working from home, parenting, dealing with the new normal – it's ok not to have it all together. In fact, most of us DON'T! Let yourself stress and then take a day off. Panic a little and then figure it out as you go. This is the new norm. You're doing great and everyone is doing the best they can. Give yourself a break already!
I saw a meme the other day that said, "We are an unhappy generation full of happy photos" and that hit me right in the feels. It's so grossly accurate. It's OK to not have a good day. It's OK to keep things off of social media. And it's OK to not compare to others, in fact, we shouldn't.
Making it one day at a time is still making it. Celebrate the fact that you're surviving; thriving is never expected.
With a few resources, you can be well on your way to making a better go at working and schooling from home, improving that process one step at a time.
Bethaney Phillips is an army wife and freelance writer. When not writing for military family publications, she works as a digital marketing specialist, helping small businesses grow their online viewership. She is a mom to two little boys and two giant pets.
