In honor of National Bring Your Kid to Work Day, which, let’s be real, is everyday right now in many homes, the Smithe Sisters are sharing their tips for how to juggle work and kids. With 18 kids between the 4 of them, they have a lot of experience to draw from. Check out their tips below, and remember, you’ve got this Moms & Dads! Have a tip or two to share?
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Maureen Smithe, Buyer for Smithe & Mom of 6
Now that parents are expected to work and teach from home, finding balance in all areas of life is really, really hard. For our family, screen time was becoming a daily battle between parents and kids. While screens are a great way to keep kids busy while parents get work done, they can quickly become a crutch for everyone. We recently started a “two hours on, two hours off” schedule and it works great. Parents have time to get work done, and kids have time to play. While it still results in more screen time than we’d normally allow, we remind ourselves (often) that nothing is normal right now. As long as we find time every day to read to the kids, include them in household tasks and get out for some exercise, we feel like we’re doing just fine.
Colleen Smithe, Director of Advertising & Mom of 3
Routine is everything in my house right now! We have a schedule that we (try) to stick to every week day. School work immediately after breakfast, no screens until after lunch, and quality time outside. Throughout the day, my husband and I take shifts with the kids, so we each have time to get work done. My work time usually includes my youngest setting up shop next to me with her toys. Each day has it’s challenges, and not every day goes as planned, but I’m making it work and enjoying the extra time with my kids.
Caitie Smithe, Designer & Stylist & Mom of 6
My advice is do what you gotta do to get stuff done right now. These are unprecedented times and there is no rule book. My parenting has evolved quite a bit in the last few weeks. More often than I’d like to admit, my older kids are watching my younger kids or I’ve got my younger ones entertained on a screen so that I can work, or clean, or teach, or take care of another kid, or, gasp, just have a moment to myself! I’m very grateful for the “mute” function on conference calls, although I was recently on a conference call with my baby on my lap and I *thought* I was muted, but it turns out I was not… and of course the baby was loudly grunting! Thank God for coworkers with senses of humor!
Meghan Smithe, Director of Sales Strategy & Mom of 3
I was on a video conference call this week, presenting to about 50 people from our internal management team. My 4 year old wanted to show me something that he colored and started calling for my attention from the other room. In an effort to keep the presentation going, I ignored him. Well, this didn’t sit well with my dear little boy, so his calls for me only got louder and more urgent. As he entered the room, it became impossible to hear myself think, let alone keep my train of thought going. I had no choice but to tell all 50 people, “I’m sorry, but my 4 year old is having a moment”. I muted the phone, turned to my son and exclaimed, “Wow! You did a great job coloring. Now leave mommy alone while I finish my meeting.” I then unmuted myself and continued with the presentation.
We just have to accept that perfect isn’t possible. And 4 year old’s don’t care about what or who they may be interrupting when they NEEEEEEEEED to show you something they created. Thank goodness for understanding co-workers!