“We cannot insist that the first years of infancy are of supreme importance,
and that mothers are not of supreme importance.”
– G.K. Chesterton

In my role, I am blessed to be able to work from home, making it possible to be present for my toddlers all day, every day.

However, this arrangement comes with its own challenges. I am only able to juggle my multiple responsibilities thanks to my husband and colleagues being understanding and flexible as well.

It was easier when I had one baby, and he had not begun to crawl. I was able to breastfeed him in one arm while typing with the other hand.

Now that we have two rambunctious toddlers, sometimes I feel a little hand pulling at my sleeve while I am trying to complete a task.

Here are some strategies that enable me to multitask well:

Seize Opportune Moments

I generally work best early in the morning or late at night. In the morning, my husband prepares breakfast for our children while I beaver away at the laptop. In the evening after the tots are in bed, I have plenty of quiet time to focus on my work.

Also, when I manage to put both babies to sleep for a nap in the middle of the day, it is another golden opportunity to polish off some pieces undisturbed.

Now that they are older, they are able to play independently and entertain themselves, so once they are fed, I can leave them with their toys in the living room and retreat to my desk.

Be Flexible

Babies’ digestive systems are the priority. Whether it is for providing food or changing a nappy, the cry of a child is a siren that cannot be ignored. I have to be patient and willing to set aside a task in order to focus on my primary responsibility of being a mother. Sometimes, I may be interrupted multiple times to feed a grumpy infant back to sleep. It is all par for the course.

At other times, the children simply want some interaction or affection. My son “cooks” dishes for me in his toy kitchen and proudly serves up multiple courses. It is annoying when I am trying to complete a paragraph, but I pause and pretend to savour each dish, eliciting smiles of satisfaction. It may be a trite saying, but these passing moments will never return, and it is important that your child feels seen and appreciated.

It is also good to consciously set aside time to spend with your children amidst the day’s pressing tasks. My work is never done – I can always edit or write more articles, and I love doing so. It is tempting to keep going, but I must remember that my children need me. “Read book?” asks my son. So, I deliberately prioritise sitting down and reading a pile of books with them. (It is never just one book!)

Communicate Your Needs

Last year on an overseas trip, my husband was supposed to be present and caring for our children while I continued working. However, at the last minute he was unable to join us, and I was unexpectedly left with two babies for three weeks. Thankfully, my colleagues were very understanding and shouldered some of my tasks.

It was the same when I was about to give birth. As you know, these events are rather imprecise, unless you have a Caesarean section or induction booked in. My colleagues were at the ready to take on my work as soon as contractions began.

I am very grateful for my employers and colleagues, who prioritise family-friendly working environments and trust me to get my jobs done, while supporting my growth as a mother and an employee in every way.

I have experienced some less family-friendly roles, where my supervisors were poor planners as well as micromanagers, and ignored boundaries, calling at 10 p.m. or texting at 1 a.m. expecting some last-minute task to be completed immediately. Fortunately, I was able to leave those roles and flourish in the ones I have chosen to keep.

How do you balance work and family commitments? Let us know in the comments.

“A housewife’s work… is surely, in reality, the most important work in the world…
your job is the one for which all others exist.”
– C.S. Lewis

___

Image courtesy of Sarah Chai, Pexels.