5 essential tips to work from home with kids

Summer has almost officially started in BC and working from home has become the new norm. Balancing work with kids can be tricky, but you can always fit parenting and online work from your home together. With only a handful of in-person summer camps available, how do you manage your day to actually be able to do some work?

We spoke with Elyse Stoltz Dickerson, CEO and mother of two, on how she manages her day.

There are 5 things I do to manage a household and a business during these trying times. 

1. Follow a schedule. More importantly, schedule in spare seconds for yourself and your physical and mental health. I wake up before the sun every morning and work out. It’s a form of self-care and a routine that keeps me grounded. It’s not always easy to get up, but when I do, I feel better– more energized yet calm about taking on the day. I also try to meditate and encourage my employees to do the same. As a mother, I have my kids follow a schedule as well and put it on the fridge for everyone to see. When quarantine school is in session, I make sure to give them outdoor time during lunch. During quarantine summer, schedules are a bit looser, (especially due to summer camps being cancelled) but there are still activities like online classes to keep them busy and entertained.
2. Stay positive, but realistic. Positivity is essential in creating a pleasant working environment. It boosts morale, productivity, and moods. However, avoiding toxic positivity is best, as only seeing the bright side can not only be annoying, but unhelpful. Don’t be afraid of feeling all the feelings when it comes to the difficulties of managing an essential business, working from home with kids, or job hunting after a closure. Seeing the bright side has its place but negating the reality of the situation can be toxic. Acknowledging the lows with the highs can help you keep perspective and be sensitive and empathetic to other’s emotions and unique situations as well as your own. After all, COVID affects all of us a little bit differently, since we’re all a little bit different. Being mindful of our different circumstances and not trying to “fix” every problem that your partner or friend may be venting about is the first step to the right balance of positivity.
3. Don’t try to be superwoman. Say no to things you can’t do and ditch the guilt. You can’t be two (or ten) places at once. Delegating and asking for help from those around you can benefit everyone and leave you less stressed. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you need it. More often than not, people are willing and wanting to help.
4. Surround yourself with a good team. This tip goes hand in hand with tip number three. Delegation and teamwork can aid productivity. My kids are old enough now to be part of my team, which helps immensely. Finding trusted sources to lean on is key in times like these. We may be six feet apart in distance, but it feels like we’re closer than ever.
5. Family time is non-negotiable. Turning the phone and email notifications off when I’m enjoying family time is crucial. My focus isn’t split and I’m able to connect with my loved ones in a distraction-free environment. Especially during times of distancing, this kind of connection can be sanity-saving. In addition, as places and restaurants start to open back up throughout the U.S., I think it’s important to still keep the quarantine bond strong as we ease back into another “new normal”. Let’s keep all the good habits we picked up through quarantine and ditch the bad ones. 

Everyone copes with parenting and pandemics differently, but these 5 simple strategies help me get through the days when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe now, more than ever, we should band together… 6 feet apart. 

Elyse Stoltz Dickerson is CEO and co-founder of Eosera, Inc., a female-led biotech company committed to developing innovative products that address underserved healthcare needs. Elyse has two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries and managed portfolios with annual revenues of 1.7 billion while driving product innovation and the commercialization of numerous technologies across the globe. She resides in Fort Worth, TX with her husband and two children.