With the pandemic, many people have found themselves juggling a new way of working. Even if you are not a parent, this new normal affects you as many of your clients and customers are likely parents or grandparents. Telecommuting has become much more common, parents with children have had more interruptions in meetings, and I would wager that most of us, at one point or another, have worn pajama pants under the table in zoom meetings.
As entrepreneurs, we don’t have a boss to answer to, unless we work a J-O-B on the side of building our futures, but we do have people relying on us to maintain professionalism, with quality services and/or products. If we are parents of little humans we have the additional challenge of maneuvering parenting with working. School pick-ups, homework help, quarantines, and online classes are what most parents have been juggling for some time now. Additionally, during the holiday breaks our little people are out of school and demand more of our time and attention. This is a blessing, though it does present a need for strategy, ingenuity, and flexibility.
So how do we find harmony in the home over the holidays? Let’s explore some strategies and create a peaceful and enjoyable work and play environment for our loved ones, and ourselves. Here are our top 10 tips below:
- Mindset: deliberately prepare your mindset
- Define Expectations: in your encounters be sure expectations are clarified
- Prepare: be proactive with schedule, meals, snacks, activities and reconnect time
- Give yourself and others grace, and operate from gratitude
- Connection breaks: set times to connect and take small breaks
- Kid swap with partner, friends, family, or colleagues
- Plan work and playdates with others in your network of local businesses
- Communicate clearly: with clients, colleagues, and family
- Create an activity and reward system the family can look forward to
- Enjoy the privilege you have to be home with your loved ones over the holidays
First and foremost we must consider the biggest hurdle we will encounter: mindset. As we approach and navigate the holidays are you already carrying increased distress and overwhelm? What do you want to see happen during this season? You need to know what you want before you create a plan to negotiate the nuances of working at home with family needs. Set your mindset and intentions for this often family-focused season. Then before bed take time to consider your mindset and set intentions for the following day. The next morning you will want to begin your day the same way.
Secondly, we need to establish expectations. This is for ourselves, our clients, our families, and our friends. Anyone who will overlap with work and holidays should know upfront the boundaries, the rewards, the schedule, anything that pertains to your unique situation. I like to reward the little victories and the big wins. Establishing healthy boundaries requires consistency and repetition. Do not expect the new routine or requests to be met without resistance or initially even forgetfulness. How serious and consistent you are will be the model your family, friends, or roommates, and colleagues will follow. Set the standard by following the standard you are requesting others follow.
Third, make a plan. Being prepared will make an incredible difference. Insight.com has 10 tips for working from home. In planning, I encourage you to consider implementing the following three tips – First off, create a workspace if you have not already. Next, establish regular work hours. Often entrepreneurs are guilty of making every moment a work moment. This will eventually cause you to burn out and may cause resentment in your relationships. During the holidays with everyone around you will want to stick to a regular schedule. Additionally, Insight.com encourages you to plan your meals and snacks, stating that it is far too easy to graze on junk at home. Planning will help you eat healthy snacks and it will also be a good use of your available time so you can spend it with your kids, walking the dog, or any other break you need during the day.
Fourth, give grace and hold tight to gratitude. It is easy to become frustrated at interruptions to your day and/or routine. Be gracious to those around you, and yourself. If you find yourself feeling exasperated, stop and take some slow, deep breaths and consider specific things that you are grateful for. This will help you break away from any negativity that may build up and will enrich your home environment. If you make a practice of this as you start your day, you may just avoid those frustrations or better keep them minimalized.
Fifth, schedule small breaks regularly and reconnect with your loved ones. Once an hour set aside some time for some breathing exercises. Get up and move around. Interact with your family, possibly rotating an activity to keep their attention, give hugs and kisses, or however you show affection. Ensure your loved ones know you consider them your priority, but caring for them means you must maintain your livelihood. Take a two-minute dance break with the kids and then give them their next activity. They can do their “work” while you do yours.
Sixth, work the kid swap. If you are married or have a partner that works from home, or can coordinate schedules with you, work the kid swap. If you do not, is there another entrepreneur or business owner who might be able to work the kid swap with you? Do you belong to a local business group? Perhaps set up a co-op Santa Seasonal Swap. Coordinate lengthy play dates where you take turns keeping the kids busy. Even if it’s half the workday, you will have some concentrated focus time. For those with children younger than school age, if you do not have a nanny or mother’s helper, you may consider creating a Kid Swap Co-op.
Seventh, set up play dates with other entrepreneurs working from home. Have a healthy lunch for yourself and the kids, then while the kids play outside, watch a movie, and enjoy each other (consider hiring the older kids to supervise or go in on a couple of sitters on Winter Break) break out your laptops and work at the table. Having an outlet with other adults might help you keep your sanity.
Eighth, communicate with staff, clients, colleagues, and family. Clear communication is crucial when working within this type of environment, perhaps even more than normal. Does little Johnny have a fever? Let your team know you will be less available while caring for him. Going to be off-grid at an appointment? Ensure you let everyone know you will be unavailable. If you and your spouse are both going to be working from home and sharing parental duties, discuss your schedules so neither of you ends up in a jam because you both scheduled appointments at the same time. A wall calendar or shared digital calendar will be very helpful in coordinating schedules.
Ninth, utilize jars for activities and rewards. Allow the children to select activities you have put into the jar that take 10-15 minutes for your breaks with them. Additionally, before the kids are home from school, plan reward ideas and put them in a reward jar. Or use an advent calendar “12 Days of Holiday Cheer” method where each space contains a reward on a piece of paper. Some can include little treats or surprises if the kids do well and you want to encourage helpful behavior.
Last but not least, number ten. Enjoy the privilege you have to be home with your loved ones over the holidays. Plan fun things for after work, check on the roast in the slow cooker while enjoying the delicious aroma making its way around your home, and be glad you get to avoid the school pick-up lines. If your children’s school is like any of the ones I have experienced, this in and of itself is quite the gift. Bask in this gift, with the ups and downs and the chaos, and enjoy these moments. They are fleeting and magical.
Keep in mind that implementing any of these tips can help your holiday harmony, but be careful not to push for perfection or overachievement, if you are inclined to. Not all of these suggestions are right for everyone. These tips should help, not overwhelm. At times simply preparing and looking over the pieces in play will lend a sense of calm and peace of mind.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022. If you have any tips to add, do not hesitate to share!
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Reference:
10 Tips for Working From Home. Accessed online (21 December 2021):
https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/blog/10-tips-for-working-from-home.html
