Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are working from home. Meaning the home has become the office and the line between work and life has begun to blur. The issue of Work/Life Balance is at the forefront, as parents especially, are having to split their attention between their professional work, and their role as parents. Not to mention the added new role of teacher for parents with kids that are of school-age. Oh and bless their heart if the kids are all in different grades, which is the most likely scenario.

Life just got a whole lot more challenging for All of US, Really Fast, and Literally Overnight.

Many mums are struggling to juggle it all and to find a new norm [which I’m not sure what that even looks like with everything that is going on in the world (social distancing which means no face to face time with anyone that doesn’t live in your household; people dying alone in isolation and loved ones not even being able to attend their funerals; all social activities being shutdown in order to help control the spread of the virus…and so much more!)]

 Outside is literally closed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the safest place to be is at home!

 However,

 “Home Is [No Longer Only] Where The Heart Is”…It Is Where Our Entire Life Is.

Deciding how to schedule the workdays vs. family time and adjusting to a new way of living, all at the same time, is the new norm in most households; although, there is absolutely nothing normal about it.

For those that are lucky, their homes already had a designated area for teleworking. As for the rest of us, the dining room table, the bedroom, the closest, (you name it!) has now become the virtual work zone. No room is excluded from the virtual work office.

So,

What Does It All Mean For Meetings? Interviews? Presentations? How do you tackle this?

Because it is one thing to do your work independently of others under the premise that the end product is what matters and not necessarily the hours in which the work was done. It is a completely different thing when you have to work with others on a project and have meetings and give updates or even conduct interviews.

What does this look like working from home and is this even possible and/or a reasonable expectation?

Don’t worry!

Dr. U to the rescue with my brilliant ideas and suggestions (laugh out loud).

But in all seriousness, as far as it being a reasonable expectation, I touched on this topic already in a previous post but I’ll emphasize it again here in this post. Working from home is a completely different and challenging experience for individuals with kids. Check on us mothers. We are working triple overtime. We need encouragement. We need more people to be more understanding of the fact that it is not easy. We need more people to be flexible because things change for us by the minute, and becoming more complicated. Lastly, we wear the cape, but we need help!

In terms of how to work from home with kids, the video and conference call edition continue reading.

Working from home on group projects or even just attending meetings and or giving presentations is totally possible. It just means video calls and/or conference calls using online meeting rooms or the telephone.

For those that already teleworked before the coronavirus pandemic, they already have a system and a plan on how to successfully participate. However, for others who did not have the luxury or the capability of doing this prior to the coronavirus pandemic, it means learning a whole new world, a virtual world.

It means having to figure out which room in the house gives the best lighting. It means testing out if the internet strength and if your wireless router has the capability that the company sold you on. It means checking your microphone, 1-2, 1-2, to see, if the microphone on your laptop makes you sound like an alien on the other end. It also means possibly standing in your kitchen, with your ear pressed against the window to see if the call quality is the better (Yep, they can hear you now!).

On the flipside, when you may not want to be coming through loud and clear, it means learning and knowing when to mute your microphone (you don’t want your team to hear you munching on that snack). It means turning off your camera before you get too relaxed (why are you walking through the house? And are you scratching your …).

OH NO! You don’t want these Oops moments either.

So yes, yes, yes. The virtual work world is a whole new world.

But, it is the only world that we have right now and we need to embrace it.

Everything that once happened at work is now taking place at the house…or at least attempts to do so are being made. It is a challenging feat in and of itself and adding children, with their own needs and schedules, makes things all the more fun!

The concerns of noise levels and untimely distractions become more of an issue. As well as trying to figure out where to join the meeting (as in what room in the house) and what time is best for such meetings also further complicates matters. It can all be a great source of stress and must be monitored.

So How Can Mums Get Privacy In A Shared Space?

Below are a few Ideas and suggestions. Check them out!

1. If in a multi-room home, have a designated room, preferable the room furthest away from everyone, for meetings or interviews. This way, even if the kids cry or make other fun noises (as they often do), it would be faint and less of a distraction for you and those on the other end.
2. If you have the option to join by video or audio only, elect to use the audio only option, this will give you more flexibility. So if you have to get in your closest or even close the door to be alone in the bathroom, you can still sound professional although you may be looking and feeling a bit frazzled (lol).
3. Call into the meeting or take that interview call from your car. The car should preferable be parked of course. You don’t need the added distraction of maintaining traffic safety while trying to focus on the questions you are being asked or while trying to remember your talking points.
4. If applicable, let your partner take the kids for a joy ride. While I am not encouraging you to drive, I see absolutely nothing wrong with your partner taking the kids out for some sightseeing. It can be done within the social distancing guidelines, and allows for the kids to get fresh-air, and a change of scenery. All the while giving you a more controlled, quiet environment you desire for work.
5. If tips 1-4 are not options, then take it all in stride. Simply disclose to your coworkers, interviewers or interviewees that you are at home with your children (because they are all likely at home also). You can even apologize in advance to them in the event that your children make an on-camera appearance or distracting noises in the background.

All in all, Go Easy On Yourself And Don’t Stress It Too Much!

Everyone, and I literally mean everyone around the world is in the same boat and understands the unique times that we are all facing.

All that we are required to do is our best with the hand that we are dealt. And, if it happens that the kiddos cry unexpectedly or want to join in on the conversation, then so be it. At the end of the day, it may serve as a much needed comedic relief.

As always, share your thoughts with me in the comment section below. Feel free to leave any additional tips that you may have on ways to get privacy in a shared space. Also, feel free to share this blog post with others. Remember, sharing is caring!