Working From Home With Kids? Embrace the Chaos | Femmeprenista

When Your Home Office Becomes a Comedy Show: The Tech-Fueled Chaos of Working From Home with Your Partner (and Kids!)

WFH chaos? 🤣 Toddler takeovers & tech meltdowns got you down? Find systems & sanity in our latest post! Laugh & learn with Femmeprenista!

Okay, let’s be honest, the dream of working from home – latte in hand, perfect peace, business flourishing… yeah, it can look a littlelittle different in reality, can’t it? Especially when your partner also works from home, and there are small humans and furry friends adding their own unique brand of “artistic expression” to the mix. Anyone else ever tried to have a serious business discussion while Peppa Pig is blaring in the background, only to be interrupted by the puppy deciding your laptop cable is a chew toy? Just me? Didn't think so!

The other day, my husband – bless his personal workaholic – and I were trying to have a "quick" Zoom meeting with a potential collaborator. We’d finally wrangled the toddler into her playpen, complete with her favorite stuffed giraffe and a sippy cup of apple juice (bribery, don’t judge!), the baby was miraculously napping, and even the dogs seemed to have entered a temporary state of zen. We were soso close.

Then, mid-sentence, as I’m eloquently describing our innovative marketing strategy (drawing on all that wisdom from my MBA, no less!), a small, sticky hand reaches over my shoulder and SLAMS the laptop shut. The screen goes black. The meeting vanishes. And there, peeking over the edge of the playpen with a mischievous grin, is my two-year-old, wielding a half-eaten banana. 🍌

Cue the internal scream, quickly followed by the forced-calm "I'll be right back" to our very confused collaborator. As I wrestled the banana (and the toddler) into submission, my husband (who was trying to contain his laughter, the traitor!) rebooted the laptop. By the time we were back online, my carefully applied lipstick was smudged, & I'm pretty sure I had banana puree on my shoulder. Professionalism personified, right? 😂 Even now, I still sometimes find myself hiding in the pantry to take important calls!

See, this, my friends, is the beautiful chaos of working from home with a partner & kids. It's a constant juggling act, a tech-comedy show written & directed by tiny humans (and furry accomplices), with technology playing a starring, sometimes villainous role.

& you know what? I wouldn't trade it for the world. There was a time, though, when the overwhelm felt crushing, like I was drowning in a sea of Dora episodes and unread emails, before I realized that systems, not superheroes, were the real answer.

But, & this is a big but, it’s also taught me the criticalcritical importance of systems, boundaries, & – perhaps most importantly – a healthy dose of humor. Because let’s face it, when your home office doubles as a nursery, a dog creche, & your partner’s impromptu podcast studio, you have two choices: laugh or cry. I choose laughter (most days, anyway!).

Seriously though, working from home, especially when your partner shares the office space, can be a game-changer. It can offer the flexibility you need as a mum, the chance to connect with your partner on a deeper level, & the autonomy to build a business & life that truly fits you.

But the integration isn’t always seamless. It often requires a more holistic approach. It’s achievable though, especially when you prioritize the quality of your life & building a business that energizes rather than drains you. A recent study from FlexJobs (2023) showed that 63% of remote workers reported higher job satisfaction – proof that with the right approach, working from home can be a win-win. Flexjobs State of Remote Work 2023

If you are a Scaling Leader, juggling a growing business & family life, this probably resonates with you – the constant balancing act, the tech chaos, the quest for work-life integration. Remember the importance of implementing efficient systems. Perhaps leveraging smart AI tools to truly streamline your processes, & delegate or ditch what’s not serving you. You know, like having a really robust system, a schedule, right? You only get what you negotiate for in this life!

& let's be honest, if a toddler can throw a wrench (or banana) in the best-laid plans, it’s all the more reason to have a strong foundation. We all need a system to support us.

Here's your mini-checklist for conquering the chaos:

Juggler’s Shortcut: Create a shared online calendar (like Google Calendar) & sync it with everyone’s devices. This avoids double-bookings & the dreaded "wait, who was picking up the kids?" scramble.
System Savior: Implement a project management tool (like Trello or Asana) to keep track of your tasks, deadlines, & collaborations.
Quick Clarity Tip: Schedule weekly “business strategy” meetings with your partner, even for just 30 minutes, to align on priorities & address challenges (kid-free zone, essential!).

What's youryour “caster oil on the carpet” moment? Share one of your "home office comedy show" moments below! We're in this together. Finding moments of levity amidst the demands of entrepreneurship & parenting is vital. So, embrace the imperfections, celebrate the small wins.

Ready to connect with other amazing female entrepreneurs who getget the juggle? Join Femme:Connect Today! It's the perfect place to find support, share your wins (& hilarious fails!), & learn strategies for building a business that works for your life, not the other way around. It’s that "kitchen table conversation" with your business bestie you really need! 🥂

Femme:Connect Community Page

Join the conversation & get more insights: Join the Femme:Connect Facebook Community