This post is for all the parents out there working from home today. Whether you are an entrepreneur, have flexitime or home for family reasons, this has probably happened – you have a critical deadline AND a child at home who just doesn’t understand why you can’t focus on them right now. Isn’t it amazing how they need you the minute you get on the phone??
I have worked from home for the past 7 years and it feels like I’ve seen it all from advising clients while rubbing my son’s back as he vomited into the toilet (better than on the bed!) to teaching a live webinar with a toddler on my hip. Well, hang in there because contrary to what we may worry about, (most) people actually are understanding and caring people who may not even notice – or if they do, may actually, surprise you with their reactions.
When our second son was 15 months old I was working on a project teaching live webinar training to attendees from across Canada. One day, at 12:45 our nanny told me she was too ill to stay and had to leave suddenly. The session started at 1pm! No time for the Plans B or C! My son, who was excited to suddenly have mom time did NOT want to nap or watch a Baby Einstein video…(I know, don’t judge me!)
So, at 1pm I launched into the training with Sam on my lap and then my hip, doing my best to keep him calm and quiet as I taught this live and recorded webinar. I just launched in expecting everything to go smoothly, but yes, feeling stressed. And I told the people on the webinar that my son was suddenly joining me for this class…
Fortunately I had written out notes for myself in advance to make sure the presentation stayed on track and on time. I got through it and, despite some tears, so did Sam.
When the webinar ended I was sweating, exhausted and a bit embarassed…but then I read some of the chat comments written during the webinar and emails that came in afterwards. They were positive, encouraging, and light-hearted:
“awww, love the baby in the background”…“hahaha, sounds like a champ that lil fella!”…“Your son gave us a nice grounding and reality check, too!”…“Hang in there Lisa – it is superb to hear your mothering skills in action as you perform professionally – very refreshing and in contrast to our normal professional and academic arenas”.
So the next time you are working from home with a little person by your side, hang in there, expect the best from your day, your clients, your collegues, and be grateful that you CAN work from home, that you DO have flexibility to be there for your kids when you need to.
Just do your best!
“Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret”. Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
To your best day, on this day! Whether you have a little person at home with you today or not 😉
Lisa
xo