The Secret to Staying Sane When Juggling Remote Work and a Baby
Any working parent can tell you that finding a balance between work and family can be a challenge. Managing a work-from-home position while caring for a young child can be especially difficult. If you’re struggling to keep your head above water, here are a few tips for staying sane when juggling remote work and a baby.
Set Up a Distraction-Free Workspace
The average person is interrupted or distracted every 11 minutes, which can quickly add up to several hours of lost productivity each day. For parents trying to juggle work and child care, those lost hours can be even harder to recover. Creating a distraction-free workspace is essential to staying focused while working from home and caring for a baby. Establish a dedicated space in your home where you can close the door and tune out the rest of the world. If you don’t have an extra room, try setting up a screen or partition to create a physical barrier between you and the rest of the house.
Create a Schedule
One of the benefits of working from home is having more control over your schedule. Having a routine that works with your family’s daily rhythm helps you feel less stressed. Consider block scheduling where you work for a set period, such as during your child’s nap time, and then break to care for your child. Sticking to a set schedule makes it easier for you to get your work done without feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up.
Stay Organized
If you’re a freelancer, you know how important it is to stay organized. You have to keep track of your projects and deadlines, but you also have to make sure you’re getting paid on time. Utilize a free invoice generator to keep yourself organized and create professional-looking invoices. Customize a premade invoice template to send to clients that includes your logo, name, and brand colors.
Get Help
It’s easy to get behind on work with constant deadlines and a never-ending to-do list. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to reach out for help when you need it by leaning on your support system. Ask your partner to take on some extra childcare duties so you can focus on work, or call in a favor from a friend or family member.
Care for Your Mental Health
When you’re constantly juggling work and childcare, it’s crucial to find ways to care for your mental health. Taking some time each day to focus on yourself helps you feel more centered and better equipped to handle whatever comes your way. Find time each day for activities that bring you a sense of calm, such as yoga, hiking, or reading a book.
Staying Sane When Working With a Baby
Juggling work and a baby may feel like a daunting task. Still, you can do it by setting up a dedicated workspace, creating a schedule, getting help from your support system, and claiming time for yourself each day. By taking things one step at a time, you can manage your workload and keep your sanity intact. If you’re looking for prenatal or postpartum support in San Diego, CA, visit Brooke Ray Midwife.
