Tricks to Make Flex Working Work for Your Family (Photo by Maria Fernanda Gonzalez on Unsplash)
You may have heard about the rise of the “gig economy,” that nebulous workforce of independent contractors, freelancers, consultants and remote workers who piece together employment from a variety of sources. The global gig economy was estimated at $3.7 trillion in 2017, and poised to grow. This spells new opportunities for families where both parents wish to continue their careers whilst raising children
The flexibility of working as a freelancer or remote employee is truly great for parents. You can do laundry in between video conferences, you can monitor your baby’s nap whilst working on a project, and best of all, you can stay close to your little one and not miss this brief and precious time in their lives. But flexible working requires true discipline to make it a success. You won’t have a boss watching over your shoulder, so you have to be strict with how you manage your time and your performance.
Manage Your Expectations
Being a parent and a worker is a real balancing act. You cannot give yourself fully to both occupations 100% of the time. There’s only so much of you to go around! That’s ok; you’re human. Don’t bite off more than you can chew with work commitments. Maybe you only work part time during this phase of your life so you don’t get burned out, and then you extend your career later into life. And allow yourself to accept help, too. Perhaps you have a grandparent or a nanny help out around the house a couple days a week to help you focus on work without neglecting the needs of your family. You figure out the equation that works for you, just go easy on yourself.
Set a Schedule
(Photo by Emma Matthews on Unsplash)
Having a daily routine is essential especially when your work is flexible. Get up at the same time every day. Get dressed, even if you’re just working from home and no one will see you all day (trust me, you will feel more in the “work” mindset if you do). Define which parts of the day are for focusing on work, and which parts of the day you are focused on your family. Letting the two blend together, while inevitable, should be avoided so that neither work nor loved ones feel ignored. Your family should know what time each day you are working and respect that it is your sacred time.
Have an Office Space with a Door
Speaking of sacred time, you also need a sacred space. It may double as a guest room, it may just be a corner of your bedroom, but if your job requires taking phone calls, conducting video meetings, or doing any kind of work that benefits from quiet and focus, that office space should have a door and it should be understood that when that door is shut you are at work and not to be disturbed.
Mobile Apps Make it Work
Remote and flexible working has become so much more doable thanks to wifi and mobile apps. Not only can any coffee shop or library with steady wifi be your office for the day, your smart phone allows you to wander free while staying tethered to your job. Instant messaging apps like Google Hangout, WhatsApp, and Slack allow clients and coworkers to message you whether you’re at your desk, or changing a diaper, or steaming sweet potatoes in the ten minutes before a meeting. With email and your phone always in your pocket, you’ll never be hard to reach even if you spend less time at your desk than office workers.
Working a flexible schedule requires discipline, but it can be a real blessing for parents who don’t want to choose between having a career and being present for their children at a young age. Teamwork is also key — set expectations with your family members, be supportive of each other, and be grateful for everyone’s contributions to your happy home.
Disclaimer: The above is a guest post
