#TLDR

• We asked 100 parents (who are also entrepreneurs) how they’re coping with kids being home during the workday.
• Parents agreed: it’s best to work in short spurts, be flexible, relax your expectations, establish a daily routine, involve the kids in planning the day, free up brain power by meal planning, and work when the kids are sleeping.
• Above all else, know that you’re not alone. Every parent feels overwhelmed right now.
                   

Millions of families are stuck at home during the pandemic crisis, with everyone – parents and kids – under one roof, all day long.

So if your kids are busting down your door in the middle of your client meetings, you’re not alone. We guarantee you, your clients (and just about everyone else) are going through the same thing.  

We asked 100 parents (who also happen to be entrepreneurs) how they’re coping with this new normal, and this is what we learned.

Embrace a mindset of consistent flexibility.

Parents told us that working in shorter spurts throughout the day – in shorter increments – have helped them not go insane.

In short: don’t expect to work for hours at a time.

Especially for parents with younger kids, working during nap time, when they’re watching a show, or playing independently might be the only chance you have to get some work done.

Relax on expectations.

We are not living in normal times right now, so you can’t expect normalcy from yourself as a parent or business owner.

You’ll feel like you’re coming up short in your parenting AND business, but everyone else feels this way too.

Accept there will be good days and bad days. If an activity isn’t working with the kiddos, don’t force it. If your kids spend more time parked in front of screens, don’t feel bad. Be kind to yourself – you’re doing the best you can!

Establish a daily routine.

Routines help us achieve balance and take better care of ourselves. Without a routine, your days might start to blur together.

Keep in mind though, especially if you have little ones, routines are better than rigid schedules. Having a daily flow – such as, breakfast, outside time, story time, and then lunch time – is better than demanding that story time begins at 11 am every day.

If your kids are focused on something they love to do, don’t feel the need to push them to the next activity just because it’s 3 o’ clock.

Involve the kids in planning the day.

If you involve kids in how their day is going to go, chances are, they’ll cooperate better and know what to expect. (And they’ll have more fun!)

Involve them in your work flow, too. If you tell them “Mommy has to work every morning and needs you to play your science games”, your kids will be more likely to respect that boundary, especially if you stick to your word.  

Minimize decisions to free up brain power.

In times like these, questions like “What’s for dinner?” and “What should we do now?” can feel overwhelming.

Make a meal plan for the next week or two. Type up a list of activities kids can do on their own.

Some great activities for independent play we heard included dance parties, puzzles, Legos, arts and crafts, and yes, screen time.

Work before they wake up and after they go to bed.

Many parents are waking up extra early – sometimes as early as 4 am – to get their best work done when the house is quiet and when their brain is alert.

If you’re not a morning person, work after the kids go to bed at night. Early bedtimes for the win!

Know that every parent feels overwhelmed right now.

Among the 100 parents we surveyed, almost every single one of them said they felt overwhelmed. So many parents said this is the hardest thing they’ve ever done.  

You are not alone.

Join the Conversation

Here at Meal Garden, we’re all about helping wellpreneurs succeed. We WILL get through this because we’re all in this together.  

What are you doing to ensure that your children get the love and support they need during this time (while keeping your business afloat?) We’d love to hear about it on our Facebook Page, Meal Garden for Professionals. Come join the conversation!

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