By Heather Osler-Beard
Heather Osler-Beard offers three tips to get through your day and your to-do list while pandemic parenting.
I’m working at my dining room table. My seven-year-old is sitting next to me, semi-engaged in her online class’s discussion of the order of the days of the month. My four-year-old is dancing in the next room as her class attempts virtual Phys Ed. Both refuse to wear headphones. This open-concept office space is not working, and I’m pretty sure balance isn’t really a thing.
For now, I’ll take this as a win: A 10-minute stretch where both kids are logged into their classes, not needing help un-muting so I can answer an email. Schools will reopen and things will look different, but the idea of balance – at least as a static attainable goal – will still feel out of reach. One helpful way to look at it, especially for parents of young kids, is as a moving target – especially with the ever-evolving pandemic making us question every sniffle. Some days, you’ll get there. Other days, not so much. And every day is different.
So, as a busy communicator, with a family and a finite amount of time each day, what to do? Some things that work for me (most days):
1. Be realistic with your time. How many times have I stared at my to-do list at the end of a day, only to check off one thing? It’s deflating, and more often than not, “wish list” would be a better description. For me, it comes down to being really aware of how much time I actually have to get a solid block of focused work done – it’s always less than I’d like. Knowing this, I can set myself up with a plan to use this time for the things on my list that need deeper focus.
2. Protect your time. With a good idea of the time, you actually have, to do everything you can to protect it. Block your calendar. Sign out of MS Teams. Silence your email notifications. Whatever works. This is your time to move something bigger off your list. Leave the smaller tasks – like answering emails, organizing files and quick edits – for between meetings (or fetching snacks, cleaning up Play-Doh, setting up a craft, finding a specific Paw Patrol episode, etc.).
3. Let it go. And I don’t mean playing Frozen on repeat (also a viable strategy). This is probably the most important thing for me. Balance can be just as much about getting work done in the midst of busy family life as it is about letting go of what can’t be done – and being okay with that. Tomorrow is a new day, work will still be there, and most of the time, that email can wait. In fact, you’ll probably produce better work with fresh eyes. There will always be days where this isn’t possible and you just have to plow through, but striving to make these the exception, not the rule, is so important.
Of course, your workplace culture and the team will play a huge role – especially now. I’ve been lucky throughout the pandemic to work with understanding leaders and colleagues, many of whom are in the same boat and lead by example. I think the more we normalize that work and life need to coexist, the better. It’s not so much about finding and staying in balance but acknowledging that it’s okay to be on top of that big deliverable one day and under a pile of goldfish crackers the next.
. Heather Osler-Beard is a corporate communications professional with over 15 years of experience ranging from non-profit organizations to the mining and financial industries. She has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Queen’s University and a post-graduate diploma in journalism from Humber College. Heather has held progressively senior roles with a focus on strategic internal communications, employee engagement and social media. Connect with Heather on LinkedIn. By Cassandra Cleveland As a new mom and communications professional, returning to work after maternity leave brought a wave of mixed emotions. The excitement of rejoining the professional realm was tempered by the realization that the communications landscape had evolved during my time away, leaving me with a potential knowledge gap. Determined to bridge […] By Linda Bicho-Vachon I’ve always been a learner. In my former role, I completed my association’s certification program and stayed updated by attending industry seminars. The certification demonstrated that I had the skill and expertise to do my job and gave me confidence to grow my career. When I decided to transition to a […] By Prachi Shailendra As a communications professional who embarked on the Canadian journey in 2019 with over six years of international experience in corporate communications, I vividly recall the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the local job market. I soon realized that for newcomers, success often hinges on more than just a polished […] By Andrea Walasek Dear Readers, It is a pleasure to introduce myself as the Editor-in-Chief of IABC/Toronto’s Communicator publication for 2023-2024. As a dedicated professional who has worked in Public Relations for over 19 years and a proud volunteer with IABC/Toronto, I am happy to bring you the Winter 2024 issue, focused on a topic […] By Matisse Hamel-Nelis Matisse Hamel-Nelis reminds us that IDEA are more than just buzzwords; they are vital principles that can transform the world of communications. In the ever-evolving world of communications, the principles IDEA are gaining increasing significance. When applied effectively, they help foster a more enriched, engaging and impactful communication environment – enhancing meaningful internal […] By Amanda Cosentino Amanda Cosentino poses the question: When you think about the word “accessibility,” what images pop up in your head? When you think about the word “accessibility,” what images pop up in your head? Perhaps a person in a wheelchair, or a reserved parking spot? But those are only small pieces of accessibility. […]Return to the Winter 2022 Issue of Communicator
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