While working in a typical office setting is still the norm, work from home options are now also in place. This especially enables companies to retain their women employees. For new moms, this is especially beneficial as they can then continue working while also being at close proximity to their babies and children.

However, being a work at home mom (WAHM) is not a walk in the park. You still need to stay focussed and consistent. Since you are being remotely monitored, your work needs to speak for itself. Try not to leave any room for doubts or concerns by your employers. These tips can help you navigate through the best way to stay on track.

1. Set up a designated office space
A separate room where you can set up your computer or laptop would be ideal. You need to be orderly in your paper work as well. Try and get some files and the stationary you would need for your job. If a dedicated work space isn’t available, then an area in another room (in a corner/ near a wall) should be fine as well. Keep this area tidy and free from clutter, your children should know that this is your ‘office’ and be told not to touch or tamper with anything there. 

2. Set a fixed time for working hours
While most companies have a standard set number of hours that you need to be working, it is important to make this as clear as possible. If you need to take a break during work (to feed your child/ pick them up from school) make sure this is communicated beforehand and mark this clearly on your calendar/ roster so that no work is given or no appointment/ meeting will be scheduled in these hours. And when you promise to be available, be there!

3. Avoid multitasking
Working from home can come with the challenge of not being able to get away from the humdrum of home life. But, refrain from stepping away from your desk to do the dishes or load laundry into the washing machine. Finish all the official work tasks that you have at hand and remember if you were in an office situation, you would not be doing these house-hold chores anyway!

4. Get paid help
If your child/children are not in day-care or school as yet, it would be advisable to get hired help. This helps you to stay focused on work, along with achieving targets and deadlines on time. Managing a child and work simultaneously can be stressful, you may end up feeling exhausted, unsatisfied and guilty at the end of the day while trying to manage both roles. With someone to assist and take care of the child, you can occasionally check on them, while also being able to complete your day’s tasks.

5. Dress well
This may seem uncalled for, but it is important. By dressing well (as you would, if you were working from office), you set yourself up for success and confidence as you do your work. By staying in house clothes or pyjamas, you automatically tend to have a carefree and laid-back attitude. Power dressing need not be fancy, but make sure you shower and change into comfortable fresh clothes (semi-formal) before you start working.

6. Set boundaries
Let your child and others know that when you sit in your designated office space, you are working. By no means should you be distracted or disturbed, unless it is absolutely necessary. Older children will be able to grasp this concept sooner than younger ones. For small children, you could give them a game or activity to engage in, especially when you are on a call (phone/ conference). If the need arises, you may need to briefly explain to a client that you are working from home. Mostly people are understanding and this will not affect your interactions. Also, in case you need to, always be ready to hit the mute button! Smaller children can be unpredictable. 

7. Reclaim your commuting time
On an average, you will be saving an hour or two of commuting time. Use this time to bond with your child or get other things done like laundry. You can also use this time for exercise/ meditation/ preparing grocery lists etc. You are fortunate to get this time, so make sure you use it well.
 

8. Track your time
Working remotely makes you more accountable in the way you spend your time. Keep in touch with your boss or team lead.  Update them a few times during the day or get on a short call once a week (talking in this case, beats typing since you are able to pick up on non-verbal communication and tone). It would also help to have a time log/ sheet in which the day’s activities are logged in and then submitted for review.
Work from home can have its benefits and challenges as well, but try and make the most of it. Good luck WAHM!!

References
8 Remote Working Tips for Beginners. (2019). https://remoteyear.com/blog/top-8-remote-work-tips

Consent Form | Working Mother. (2019). https://www.workingmother.com/11-quick-time-management-tips-for-crunched-working-moms#page-6

Devaney, E. (2019). How to Work From Home: 20 Tips From People Who Do It Successfully. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/productivity-tips-working-from-home

How to manage remote employees. (2019). https://qz.com/work/1095920/how-to-manage-employees-who-work-from-home-a-guide-from-quartz-at-work/

How to Manage Remote Employees. (2019). https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikekappel/2018/08/22/how-to-manage-remote-employees/#c42387f6ab5d

https://www.parents.com. (2019). https://www.parents.com/parenting/work/life-balance/how-to-master-being-a-work-at-home-mom/

Nast, C. (2019). My Life as a Work-at-Home-Mom Was Hell. https://www.glamour.com/story/my-life-as-a-work-at-home-mom-was-hell

Staying Focused When You're Working From Home: Deal With Distractions to Get Everything Done. (2019). https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/working-from-home.htm

What Successful Remote Workers Have in Common. (2019).https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/9-things-successful-people-do-when-working-from-home.html