Working while caring for young children is a reality of life for many Americans. Over one-third of America’s workforce does freelance, and companies are becoming more open-minded about telecommuting. These arrangements offer a great deal of freedom, but they also present significant challenges for parents of young children. Yes, daycare and babysitters are expensive, but how can you get any work done with little ones underfoot?
I’ve been navigating these choppy waters since I became a mother five years ago. Today, I have three children. Other parents regularly ask how I manage to get my freelance work done. Here are a few things I’ve learned on this journey:
1. Reframe Your Approach to Work
Before my eldest was born, I could work all day. As a mom, I think four hours is the longest uninterrupted stretch I’ve ever had. More often it’s only one hour. Parents who work from home have to embrace this change. You need to be ready to pounce on free time and do your work whenever opportunities arise. Adjusting to your new reality is critical.
The good news is that you will quickly learn to increase your productivity. I blush to remember how inefficiently I used my time before I became a mother. These days I can finish a whole project in the same amount of time it used to take me just to get started.
