When one’s an introvert working in accounts it’s so quiet,
That the transition to motherhood in itself can seem a constant riot,
Then within six months you’re expected to return to earning,
Though you can’t leave said babe whose care you’re still learning,
So you start upon the grand quest to find a way to master the two,
Without burning out, perceiving failure or driving yourself blue.
Just finding what it is you want to try is such an epic task within itself,
That for some can take years of searching, learning, adding an abundance of things to the ‘not for me’ shelf,
Before even finding an option that’s legit and resonates enough to try,
Unaware that there’s a plethora of challenges soon to be nigh,
For working from home within a growing family dynamic,
Though there be devine moments, isn’t always a fine weather picnic.
‘Just work during nap time’ ‘tis great advice at the start,
But what happens when nap times eradicated and everything’s covered in sticky fingerprint art!?
Children tend more than adults to live more right in the moment,
Thus juggling their perceived spontaneity whilst working becomes a necessary skill component,
For even a tween; though a little more complaisant,
Can have urgent times needing you to be completely theirs and patient.
I myself have been working from home with my son’s for now well over a decade,
And have learned the only way to work is to swiftly decipher and sort each child placed blockade,
Despite the urge to have them wait ‘till you’re finished the task,
‘Tis often best to just pause; unless you want them in future to bypass you wearing a ‘mask’,
As healing this type of disconnect can take years the longer it’s left fester,
And with each unique dynamic to find these limits you are your own tester.
Though there are many more tricks I’ve discovered through my experience I’m about to share,
That I hope may inspire the wisdom within you to flare,
For whilst we may love to just sit and enjoy watching our kids play,
We’ve all got a list of things we have to do during each day,
However we manage to work with our offspring by our side,
The key is to find our own version of balance upon this often tumultuous ride.
As children get older and nap times start to decrease,
One may think working with them at home is near close to beat,
However it is actually so, so far from the case,
You just have to learn how to flow through the race,
Remembering each child’s unique thus tactics will differ,
Though the more you know your child the less you shall quiver.
A few of the tactics I’ve used to work at home around my sons,
Include sending them on age appropriate quests and making them fun,
Like sending a toddler to his toy box to find a rainbow of cars,
Or encouraging a schoolboy to craft a mosaic with only stars,
They seem to delight when given a solo mission or two while I work,
Though it can cause frustration when a lack of creativity starts to lurk.
Otherwise they can happily play ‘work’ at their own ‘workstation’,
Read or game either with siblings or solo enhancing their imagination,
Though there’s only so much they can do with minimal supervision fine,
And sometimes their independence and our work time cannot align,
What we do in these moments are usually not what we’ve planned,
Be it simply take a short break or head to somewhere with sand.
Reconnecting a moment be it just a minute or a whole week long,
Can be what they need for you to return to your works song,
In a pinch though; whilst too much screen time is never the desired intention,
Sometimes in a bind a movie with snacks can be a necessary intervention,
You may be surprised how much can be done in a mere hour,
Especially when every other tactic seems to have gone sour.
Now, though there be children (though out of three I have only one),
That just need you to tell them why you’ve a task to get done,
And how you will spend time with them once it’s fully completed,
It is magical watching them from your workspace happily self retreated,
Knowing when you’re finished you’ll be all theirs for some time,
To play, chill, and adventure how they find sublime!
To learn the business aspect of how I now do this today,
There’s options below to expand your knowledge in this way,
‘Tis a minor investment to make towards one’s life,
Designed in a way that’s hard to get into strife,
For what one can add to their knowledge can be applied imaginations end,
And I do hope all this has inspired you in some way my friend. 🙂
For even more information one can also start here!
And for those seeking to evolve their parenting knowledge; My favourite parenting book: Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting ~ by: Noel Janis-Norton
The Poetic Life 2.0 