Working at home with the kids running around, is a challenge whatever their age! These school holidays there are loads of us doing it. What I’ve noticed this holidays is that its more mentally tiring than physical. Does that happen to you?
The constant interruption to flow!
I get sorted, start writing, typing, composing… get a rhythm happening and suddenly the tinkle of those 8 year old footsteps… “Mummy I just saw the most fabulous thing” …. And I hide my sigh of sudden typos and pull myself into the present, tune into my daughters story , do my best to convey feelings of gladness and patience because I’m fully aware, how blessed that my little one wants to talk to me and I really do appreciate how fortunate I am. With a bit of a laugh, off she totters and then I sit and stare at the screen…. What was I doing, thinking, saying again? And then distraction begins.. oh wait, no be disciplined Andrea, close the Email, Facebook, Twitter… That’s it, back on task again, deep breath okay lets go, Then crash, “I hate you when you do that ! & everyone’s favourite, I had it first”!…. “MUMMY… MUMMY”….(think thunderous screaming)
Push pause, play and then repeat… ALL day.. now its off to bed for them and the big decision is do I go back to work or clean up the bombsite that is the kitchen and living room!
I’m sure some can relate… Our gorgeous kids that grow up so fast, and I do know as I have a 25 year old son ( boy that flew by!)
My advice to all the Wonderful Woman out there and to myself:
You’re doing your best, just surrender! Readjust your expectations and deadlines in holidays if you can, and set aside a couple of hours for work and then spend some time with the kids. Or work like I am right now at 9pm before your falls asleep from mental fatigue J
shortest blog ever LOL
Amazing how many of us are doing this – and it is exactly the same we all face! I must think of your post next time the three year old runs in singing in the middle of a call with a client, it’s just possible they’re juggling the same. We are all really doing our very best in a tough gig, no matter what we do. Just tell me there’s a light at the end of the tunnel!
There is always light at the end of the tunnel Rebecca, and when you strip away all the fear, judgement, pressure, how gorgeous is it that your three old is running around the house singing!
These are the things that matter above all else, and if you have a client who doesnt understand or is judgemental about it then the problem lies with them.
Thank you for reading and posting
So true!
Surrender or Sulk… I think option 1 is sounding just a bit better and more rewarding in the end 🙂
My children are much bigger and easier. It’s my husband that I have the most trouble with!
For an introverted man, he certainly seems to need to be in contact with me very frequently during the day when he works from home (which is a bit too often)!
Calling from the other room… hovering in the doorway or opening the door and speaking before checking to see if I might be… working too!
Ahh.. life…
Surrender with a good dose of ‘re-education’ in my house – that’s my January 2013 strategy!
Thanks for the blog Andrea – enjoy the island 🙂
Aahh of course the biggest child in the house, the MALE! said with great love and affection of course..
My hubby is the same and loves to stop by and chat, blissfully unaware he is interrupting my working.. in fact I think he forgets that Im actually working!
Off to Fiji on Sunday Yah! Thanks Lisa I will
Andrea x
I love the blog sums it up axactly.
My kids are older but I remember that they would be quiet most of the day doing their things the minute a customer would come they would be “mum can I have a biscuit” until I would them yes to get rid of them
used to frustrate me. Didn’t seem to matter how many times I would tell them not to interrupt
me with customers they would still do it.
I hear you Michelle, I have learnt to adjust my expectations of what I can achieve during school holidays especially, they have a 6th sense for timing dont they?