Tag: work from home

Reality of Working from Home as a Self-Employed Mum | Tips & Challenges

WHAT TO EXPECT | This blog is about the reality of working from home as a self-employed mum with little kids. No sugar coating!

I wrote about my expectations of handling work with a young one and a baby on the way. And now that I have delivered said baby, I can share how it’s really going so far. With one kid, it’s something. With two, it’s something else.

So work from home has become somewhat of a buzzword after 2020, right? And although some businesses are bringing everyone back to the office, other companies have embraced remote working and made it part of their strategy. And then there’s self-employment, a different world entirely.

But in both cases, the boundary between work and personal life can blur when you work from home. In my case, it’s almost inevitable – and not something I am particularly happy about because finding the right balance and FLOW is everything for my peace of mind. When I start working and stop in the middle of something, start and stop again – all morning and into the afternoon – it doesn’t get me anywhere. So first thing in the morning, or late at night, I write a doable list of priority items for the day ahead. It helps break work into manageable and attainable ‘smaller pieces’ which I can tackle throughout the day and try my best to stick to.

How can you work from home with less hiccups? (Because let’s face it, you can’t dodge them all).

I love a good, organised schedule and designated work space. Having my little corner office to work from helps me focus on the tasks. It’s like having a ‘home-free’ work area that gets me in the zone with fewer distractions (or so I hope every time I sit at my desk). To FOCUS. Lately, this has been quite a challenge with a baby. Even as I write this, I am sitting on my unmade bed after managing to get little Chloe to sleep in her crib – so the irony is not lost on me. I don’t like having my laptop in the bedroom but these days require that I do if I want to get some work done. And a schedule? With two kids, I try – honestly, I do – but my schedule is to work around naps, feeds, and playtime. Most days I’m in the right mind zone, I’m motivated to do the work, inspired even – BUT not able to actually and productively get things done -which is super frustrating. And that is the reality of it. On good days, I work through the whole list whilst mummying, on other days – I barely manage to send out one simple email.

Multi-tasking – the best thing you can do is to avoid it. You might feel like accomplishing a lot but I have learned that single-tasking is a much healthier option because you do get things done, one after the other – without a headache and scattered thoughts. Even if it’s not the easiest thing to do, when you work from home, start by blocking some major time-wasters out – namely your phone and social media accounts. Push back any household chores (that laundry basket begging to be emptied, a speck of dust that has been nagging you or a quick trip to the store) and anything that comes in between you and your paid work.

I’m not saying you don’t schedule them in your day. But that’s just it – schedule and organise your work day first and then work around it. For instance, you can work all morning, take a break, do the laundry, and get back at your desk later (if the nature of your work permits it).

One major thing. Do not put too much pressure on yourself. Remember, you are doing the best you can, what is humanly possible – and you should be so proud of yourself. Every accomplishment – no matter how small – should be celebrated.

Tips to make working from home with kids productive.

Now, if you’re a parent (of small kids especially), you know all too well that parenthood is a full-time job and then some. The early years are the toughest because the kids cling to you every waking second. It’s a beautiful thing having little people running around the house and looking up to you. But to have a household to run, we ordinary people need to make a living. And if you work from home that means you need to find a way to take care of the kids and work at the same time. Which is, let me tell you, such a challenge. My 5-year-old has become a lot more independent lately. She’s thankfully easily entertained with drawing, painting, and making crafts. Before Chloe, I tried scheduling in a couple of hours before the world (and Bethany) woke up. But this is close to impossible in the newborn phase (at least in my case). Instead, I squeeze the life out of every minute of sleep I can get to be able to function properly. Parents of babies know all to well well that sleep is too little and never enough.

I’m self-employed, and have a five-year-old and a five-month baby. So here are a couple of things that help me get through the day without going haywire:

  • Accept help in any form – it can come in the form of meals, babysitting, household chores or grocery shopping.
  • Set realistic goals – know your limit, learn to say no, and set achievable goals for each day.
  • Outsource work –when you can: delegate tasks you can outsource because this frees up your time.
  • Good communication – with your partner: this is key.
  • Childcare services – are always an option: even a few hours of childcare support can make a significant difference – and try not to feel guilty about it.
  • Create a schedule – create a priority list for each day and block time for work to avoid feeling overwhelmed by your workload.
  • Practice self-care – we are not superhuman and burning out is real. So make time for self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies that help you relax and recharge.

Like everything else in life, self-employment comes with its set of challenges. Having no maternity leave was the hardest honestly. Not being able to stop working and fully enjoying the little ones for the first few months was tough. So if you’re thinking about venturing out on your own, you need to look beyond flexibility.

The ability to work from home offers unique opportunities and challenges. On one hand, you’re flexible to set your own schedule and be present for your children’s important moments. On the other hand, finding the time and energy to grow your business while caring for your family can sometimes feel overwhelming. And I get it. My partner (who works full-time at an office) and I are still figuring out the best way to go about work, household chores and raising two kids. So even as I write this, I’m certain that things will change yet again in a month’s time.

Are you a WFH parent? Do you run your own business? How do YOU manage the time? What are some tips you can share with us? I’d love to hear from you!

Until next time
Amanda x

↠ MORE ON THIS! I’m sharing my self-employed journey on Instagram and show what I find most helpful over there. Feel free to follow for tips & updates!

Raising kids, building a business.

A guide to (try &) master work-from-home success

WHAT TO EXPECT | If you’re self-employed, a freelancer, a small business owner, and a parent who works (mostly) from home, this guide will help you navigate work and family life.

“How will you manage with two kids?” I wish I had a euro for every time someone asked me that – I wouldn’t have to work another day in my life! I swear, once the other person spots my growing belly (which is hard to miss at this stage really), and knows that I’m a self-employed working mum, it’s the first thing that pops out – after the obligatory congratulations. I have already written about juggling WFH and motherhood earlier this year – let’s go through a couple more things I learned along the way.

So, yes. How will I manage work and two kids? When I started back in 2017 with just Nina my dog following me around, I thought it was hard. Which mind you, it was – starting my business from scratch was anything but easy. But then again, it’s what makes all the hard work worthwhile and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

But then, two years later, little Bethany dropped into our world and things changed. Completely. If you run your own small business, you probably know how difficult it is to even take a day off. The minute my water broke, I remember sitting back down (after a quick shower and whatsapping my husband that it was finally happening) to tie loose ends, message clients, and make sure everything was in order before I left for the hospital. After that, it was quite the challenge to reschedule my work around her sleeping and feeding times when I was running on 3-hour naps (I remember the sleepless nights all too well). But with the great help of my family, and the below tips I pulled through. That’s why I created this little guide.

Having a second child changes things yet again. So, back to the writing board.

1. Create a productive work environment

The first few months are tough – so let’s be realistic. Setting clear boundaries to work towards a more structured routine can be nearly impossible sometimes. One thing that will help you focus on the task at hand is to have a dedicated work area where you can mentally separate work from home, free from distractions. Again, it will take time to adjust and you will end up working on your laptop while feeding or cradling the baby. Distractions are everywhere with kids in the same building. But do create your space and work from there when you can.

2. Set realistic goals and expectations

Focus on what’s important and prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance: both for work and home. It’s better to have a manageable to-do list with fewer tasks and get them all out of the way than to create an unachievable list that goes on forever. Allocating your time (and energy) wisely is key to feeling a sense of accomplishment and avoiding feeling overwhelmed.

3. Outsource and delegate tasks to maximise productivity

At a certain point, I realised that I couldn’t do it alone. I accepted that I need help to focus on the things that I excel in and delegate other tasks (e.g. admin, accounts) to a trusted person. The same goes for housework chores and childcare. It’s impossible (and ultimately, shouldn’t be the case) to take everything upon yourself. Delegating certain tasks will free up your time and reduce the stress of trying to do everything yourself.

4. Embrace flexibility

If you’re self-employed or work freelance, you do not have a boss, and your work schedule is more flexible. But you do have clients/customers and you do have deadlines. So unlike what some people think, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. But what you can do is embrace that flexibility and learn to work it in your favour. If you run your own business you already know that sometimes, you have to skip weekends and also, work weird ungodly hours to get things done. Being a working parent, you also need to work early mornings, during naptimes, or at night – and adjust your work and home life as you go along.

But also, don’t push it. I know how it feels when someone tells you to rest when the baby sleeps. When will the work get done then? At the same time it’s important to try and find a balance – burning out is the last thing your body and mind need.

How to overcome common obstacles & stay motivated

Your coffee will get cold. That, I promise. And you will forget about your mid-day snack or lunch – or both, every once in a while. But never forget about taking care of yourself. That is non-negotiable and essential to maintain the focus and energy you need as a parent and for your career. So yes, if you have the chance to head out on your own and grab a coffee – do it. Get out of the house, change scenery, and do something you love. Read, draw, go for a run, meditate – whatever helps you relax and recharge.

So back to the question, “How will you manage?” I usually reply with: “Somehow, I will.” And so will you. Being your own boss and being a parent are both learning curves. I’m sure you’re doing an incredible job so be kind to yourself.

Let’s recap:

  1. Always accept help (from trusted people)
  2. Learn to prioritize and delegate
  3. Take real breaks (taking a shower DOES NOT COUNT)
  4. Don’t be too hard on yourself

↠ MORE ON THIS! I’m sharing my self-employed journey on Instagram and will be showing what I find most helpful over there. Feel free to follow for tips & updates!

Thinking of taking the leap? Let’s get you started! Here are 5 things I wish someone told me before becoming self-employed!

Until next time
Amanda x

Temporary bathroom office setup

Featuring The Learning Curve | Bath Toys

Most of you may have gone back to their place of work. My place of work was already my home way before COVID-19 took us by surprise. Truth is, working on my own business whilst taking care of Beth (who is now a toddler) has been the biggest challenge yet. So my options were to work:

↠ At night once my hubby is off work (he’s employed fulltime and has been working from home for a year now)

↠ When (and if) she naps in the afternoon

↠ During 1 hour Hey, Duggee! or Peppa Pig breaks (I hate doing this but sometimes, it can’t be helped)

↠ AND, during her bath time.

Last week, while she was playing in the tub, I was sitting on the closed loo with my laptop, tapping away. I glimpsed at the mirror and seeing me like that thought out loud, “what has my world come to!” This has become a thing and the fact that I was talking to myself out loud, doesn’t paint a better picture.

So, this bath time routine is playtime for her and worktime (or reading time) for me. Usually, I work from my phone. The laptop is too bulky to balance on my knees. And Beth, who loves water, splashes away in her tub. Having said that, most days, I tend to end up playing with her, and end up drenched.

Until a couple of weeks ago, she was still playing with her beach toys and I have been looking for actual bath toys for a while. Last year, I vowed to support more local businesses and not just during Christmas time but throughout the whole year. So instead of going on Amazon, I looked at the local scene first.

QUUT Bath puzzle | Mini Review

I rediscovered The Learning Curve whilst browsing Facebook. Rediscovered because I was already following them but their sponsored ad gave me a nudge. Turns out, they’re a husband and wife team with two kids of their own. Their online toy range is eco-friendly and sustainable – and that’s a big plus for me. I also loved how readily they helped with tips and suggestions according to Beth’s age.

After a little research (I can’t help it) I purchased a QUUT Bath puzzle and so far, Beth loves it. These BPA free puzzles are made of durable yet soft foam, encourage creative play and given they’re puzzles, stimulate fine motor skills: hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness and concentration.

If you’d like to see the whole range, this is it: QUUT Bath toys. And HEY, good news! For a limited time, you can get 5% off your purchase 🙂

Use this code: byamandalia5 

Until next time,

Amanda x