by Phindile Tapula, Founder and Director of Bhekizenzo Foundation
Working from home is tough during this pandemic outbreak. As a mom, this time is demanding. From scheduling and prioritizing playtime, preparing food more often than before, being on time and prepared for Zoom meetings. I have decided to share some tips for moms to stay sane and better manage working from home. Disclaimer, these tips work for me, they may not work for you. I am sharing them in order to inspire moms to establish their own systems. I suggest you try these tips and if they work, great and if they don’t - change them and make up your own.
Let’s go…
1. More screen time, and make it learning time
I am an advocate for face time. I love being able to play with my son and be affectionate. However, with the current circumstance of working from home, I have introduced more TV and Tablet time to introduce some educational entertainment. My son now knows that dogs bark, cats meow and cows moo. He can count to number three. I can finish my deliverables all thanks to 45 minutes of PJ Masks cartoons.
2. Playtime is cardio time
Playtime is all about tiring the big guy out. We jump, run and do cartwheels. 2 hours of good cardio playtime allows me to put him to bed faster. I get to lose some calories so we all win!
3. Create daily to do list and stick to it
I have stopped reacting to my son’s schedule, moving meetings around and not practicing self-care. I realized with being more intentional, I can multitask better and complete my daily tasks when I actually prioritize them. I also realized that with being at home every day, I can make up my own working hours. During these times, I am focused on being productive and not distracted by tantrums and whines. Screen time to the rescue! Remember moms, if there is something you did not do today, you can definitely do it tomorrow. Use the Urgent vs Important rule.
4. Every adult must do some chores
If you are staying with other adults like the father or siblings or your own parents, try and establish a roster for chores. This helps you to not be overwhelmed and most importantly, too tired to be productive. Home chores are work; coupled with corporate/business work - it can be a lot especially for new moms or moms with toddlers.
This was the most difficult part for me as someone who still subscribes to some traditional notions of gender roles. I found myself growing tired and without energy. I, one day, decided that I will sleep, eat and repeat. That taught people around the house to help out in the chores. Perhaps communicate better that not just moms but everyone should be able to wash dishes, man and women.
5. Wine o’clock
I am almost sure if I did not make time for a glass of wine or a long bath - I would have long strangled my partner and child. Being with the same people 24/7 is hard, emotionally. One moment is great and the next you just want out. When this happens, it is usually because self-care is not prioritized.
Alcohol is not my best self-care ingredient, that is why I prefer winding down with Lautus wine of South Africa. This is dealcoholized wine with less than 0.5% alcohol. For those who need alcohol, go ahead if it is your way of regrouping. This is just me; bubble baths and reading books have similar effects.
In closing moms, do what you think is best for you and your family. Do not feel guilting because you are not doing yoga and baking muffins for the family. Do your best and remember to stay home, to stay safe by washing and sanitizing your hands and frequently used surfaces. If you are out of sanitizer, working mommy Phindile also has you covered. I have the sanitizer to keep you and your family safe.
Phindile Tapula is passionate about Community Development pertaining skills development and education for the youth. She is experienced in driving life changing community development campaigns. Passionate about self-development and leadership, she works and speaks with young people across the Gauteng Province in South Africa, motivating and coordinating her vision and goal setting workshops through her organization, Bhekizenzo Foundation. Her skillset is based on project design, brand awareness and organizational surveys, amongst many others. Phindile has strong, professional media and communications expertise, particularly with event coordination and campaign strategy planning. She has obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Studies and Sociology at the University of Witswatersand Johannesburg. Learn more.
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