5 Remote Work Tips for Working Moms

Among other things, the pandemic has ushered in a new era of remote work. In the initial widespread shutdowns, numerous businesses quickly looked for ways to enable their employees to work from home. As things began to open back up, many of those employees chose or requested to continue working remotely.

As a mom, remote work can be ideal for balancing work and family. It often affords greater flexibility for attending to family commitments and responsibilities. It allows more time to spend with the kids. And it eliminates commute times, opening up more time for both work and family.

Working remotely as a mom isn’t without its challenges, however, especially if you have children at home. It is often difficult to draw clear boundaries between work and home life, the constant multitasking can be exhausting, and working with kids underfoot is no joke. Knowing the full reality of remote work is important for establishing realistic expectations, but the good news is all these challenges can be managed with a few helpful strategies.

Whether you’re already working from home or you are considering a remote job, here are five tips to stay productive and sane as a remotely working mom.

5 Remote Work Tips for Working Moms

While it’s not as easy as people might think, remote work can offer flexibility and freedom that is great for moms trying to juggle paid work and family care. Keep these remote work tips for working moms in mind to thrive both on the job and at home.

1. Create a schedule
   
   In order to manage your work and family commitments effectively, your day needs structure. Having a predictable and consistent routine will help you stay focused and productive and keep the overwhelm at bay. Just as you would if you worked outside your home, set specific “office hours,” and do your best to stick to them. Decide what parts of the day you will devote to family time, and be fully present during those hours.
   
   

2. Be flexible
   
   That being said, one of the benefits of remote work is the flexibility it can offer, so be open to changes in your day. Work out an agreement with your employer about how many hours you need to log and when you need to work them. Depending on the job, many employers these days understand the need for nontraditional schedules and are willing to accommodate some flexibility as long as the work gets done.
   
   

3. Separate your mom and work roles
   
   One of the biggest challenges of working remotely is the lack of physical separation between work and home. Without a clear delineation, it can feel like you’re always at work. One way to mentally separate your mom and work roles is by establishing a dedicated workspace. Ideally, this would be a separate home office, but if that’s not possible, try to find an area you can turn into your own personal workspace.
   
   Another helpful strategy is to set clear boundaries around your work time. Decide when you will and will not answer work calls, check email, and perform work-related tasks. Then, establish rhythms in your day signaling the beginning of your work time (such as getting dressed and sitting down at your workspace) and the end (such as shutting off your computer and walking away or closing your home office door).
   
   When you work remotely, work life and home life will naturally overlap at times. Successfully balancing both will require an openness and flexibility to that intersection. However, the more you can mentally and physically separate your mom and work roles, the more focused attention and energy you will be able to give to both.
   
   

4. Set aside specific toys and activities for while you are working
   
   Never underestimate the power of something new to hold kids’ attention. They always play longer and better with toys or activities that aren’t the same old ones available to them anytime they want. With that in mind, keep an arsenal of toys and activities that you only bring out when you need them to play quietly and independently, such as during a phone call or Zoom meeting. Building toys, sensory bins, reusable sticker sets, and paint with water books are a few ways to keep young kids occupied while you work.
   
   

5. Have realistic expectations, and ask for help when you need it!
   
   Finally, set realistic expectations for yourself, and don’t expect to balance everything perfectly all the time. Realize that just because you are home doesn’t mean you will be able to tackle all the household chores, fulfill all family commitments, or entertain your kids all day. Balancing work and family is a big undertaking, and there will be times you need to give more of your attention to one than the other. Be kind to yourself and give yourself plenty of grace.
   
   Along with that, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Lean on friends and family members for support, hire a babysitter when you need one, and communicate with your partner to create workable divisions of labor. Remember, no woman can successfully fulfill all her roles without help from others, and seeking help when you need it will enable you to give more of yourself to both your work and your family.

Working remotely can be a great solution for moms wanting to balance paid work and family life, but the constant multitasking can take its toll. Set yourself up for success in both work and home by implementing the above remote work tips for working moms.

Are you interested in finding remote work that is conducive to mom life? Parents Pivot can help! With one-on-one and group coaching, we can help you pivot in the workplace and find the job that’s right for you. Set up a coaching session with Anna for customized support as you transition to flexible, fulfilling paid work.

Know Your Rights: Top 10 Employment Laws You Should Know

Do you know your basic workplace rights? Whether you are considering returning to work or you’ve been working for years, knowing your rights and protections as an employee is vital. Familiarizing yourself with employment laws could save you from wrongful treatment or conditions that are detrimental to your family.

That’s why we are excited to share this valuable resource from Anna’s friend Erica DeReyes at Employee Relations Consulting. If you are a mom in the workforce (or plan to be soon), you need to read this guide. Protect yourself and your loved ones with these top 10 employment laws every employee should know.

Top 10 Employment Laws You Should Know

Here is an overview of some of the important employment laws you should know as a working mom:

*Note: This is general guidance for federal employment laws. States may provide additional protections. Also, some very small employers – less than 15 in TX but varies by state - are not subject to some of these laws. Furthermore, this information is not legal advice but for informational purposes only. If you have a question or concerns in any of these areas, please consult with your HR professional or attorney.

1. Protected Categories: Under the law, applicants and employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 and over), disability and genetic information.

2. Employment at Will: An employer can fire an employee at any time for any reason, unless he/she has a written contract that limits such termination. You cannot be fired for any unlawful reason or one which violates public policy exceptions under the law, if any. If you are a member of a protected category and are terminated because of your protected category, that is discrimination and that is unlawful.

3. Discrimination: If an individual is treated differently and subjected to any adverse employment action in any aspect of employment, from hiring to promotion to firing, because of their protected category, it is considered discrimination.

4. Harassment: Harassment becomes unlawful where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Although sexual harassment gets the most attention, harassment because of any other protected category is also unlawful.

5. The Family & Medical Leave Act: The FMLA provides job protected leave to individuals for the birth/adoption/foster care of a child, an employee’s own, or family member’s serious health condition or military leave. The 3 most important things to know about FMLA: 1. Eligibility: An employer must have 50 employees in a 75 mile radius to be covered by the FMLA. An employee is only covered if they have worked BOTH the last 12 months and 1,250 hours. 2. FMLA provides job protected leave for up to 12 weeks, not income protection. FMLA leave is unpaid under the law – check with your Company to see if they provide any benefits not required by law. 3. You cannot be retaliated against because you took FMLA leave. You must be treated as if you never left. If you would otherwise have been terminated while working, you still can be while on leave (e.g. layoff). RETURNING FROM MATERNITY LEAVE: You must be returned back to your same or similar position.

6. The Americans with Disabilities Act: The ADA requires employers to provide employees with disabilities with reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of a job, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer. The law is very expansive so many ailments qualify as disabilities. Furthermore, it is important to understand that time off from work may be a reasonable accommodation. If you are new to a job and aren’t eligible for FMLA or you don’t have any paid time off to use, you may be able to request the time off as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. RETURNING FROM MATERNITY LEAVE: If you have used all 12 weeks of FMLA leave, and you need more time as a result of a disability, you may be able to request additional leave as a reasonable accommodation.

7. Retaliation: The number one reason employees do not report discrimination or harassment is due to a fear of being retaliated against (fired, demoted or shunned) at work. Employees must understand that the law protects them against retaliation. In the eyes of the law, retaliation is just as bad as the discrimination, harassment or unlawful conduct itself. The law is written to empower employees to report unlawful conduct.

8. Wage & Hour: If your position is classified as non-exempt, you cannot work off-the-clock, or on your break or during your lunch hour. Also, if non-exempt, you generally must be paid time and a half (1.5x) for any time worked over 40 hours in any workweek. Many employers misclassify employees as exempt instead of non-exempt as the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act can be confusing.

9. Equal Pay Act of 1963: The EPA prohibits sex-based wage discrimination between men and women in the same establishment who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort and responsibility under similar working conditions. Title VII also prohibits gender-based pay discrimination in employment.

10. Nursing Mothers: Federal law requires certain employers to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk. Employers are also required to provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.

Whether you’re a mom currently in the workforce or you plan to return soon, it is crucial that you know your rights. By informing yourself of these employment laws, you’ll be better able to protect yourself and your family’s best interests.

For more help returning to paid work, turn to Parents Pivot! Set up a coaching session with Anna for personalized support in all the ins and outs of pivoting back to work.

Time Management for Moms

We learned many valuable lessons about time management this past year, thanks to the Coronavirus quarantine. Those of you who work outside the home and suddenly had to work inside the home may have had to learn how to get everything done with a new routine and schedule. Laundry, dishes, tutoring, mom talks, and dinner still needed to happen even with a pile of work to do. Effective time management became more important than ever!

Now that most of us are settled back into our usual routines, it’s still important. We’re still busy moms with lots of balls to juggle and needs to meet. So, how can we continue to apply the lessons we’ve learned about time management to our post-quarantine lives? Here are some ways to hack the working mom life so you can be successful and satisfied while achieving a healthy work/life balance.

And for those of you hoping to transition back to paid work soon, sharpen these transferable time management skills to showcase your value during the job search process.

Time Management Matters.

Effective time management equates to less stress, enhanced confidence, and more peace in both your work and home life. Utilizing good time management techniques can allow you to get more done in less time, freeing up time for family, rest, or recreation. Working 24/7 is not good for your physical or mental health, so it’s critical to prioritize breaks and downtime when managing your time.

Here are 10 of the best, mom-approved time management tips to consider implementing into your work and family life:

1. Say “no” to unnecessarily stressful offers.

   Now that you’re back to work, your time is more limited. Saying “no” to things you may have done before returning to paid work will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. While there are some obligations that cannot be turned down, be sure to remember that “no” is an acceptable answer. Maybe it’s saying no to volunteering at the community event, or saying no to hosting the next family or friend’s gathering. There will always be next time to say yes.

2. Work in chunks.

   Whenever possible, try to chunk your work into manageable blocks. If possible, put similar tasks together so they are easier to complete. For example, check your email and return phone calls in the afternoon, leaving the important work for in the morning when your mind is fresh and ready to focus. At home, you might consider cooking in bulk to save money and cooking time. Chunking time by using methods like the Pomodoro technique will make work in the office and at home faster and less stressful.

3. Delegate tasks when possible.

   Planning a birthday party? Have a to-do list that is growing instead of shrinking? Trying to find time to get grocery shopping done? Consider ways you can delegate tasks to someone else. If your children are old enough to help, by all means enlist them to contribute to the household chores. If the grocery store is on your partner’s way home from work, ask if you can move grocery shopping off your plate. If you have tasks that you can’t delegate to family members, consider using a home management service. Bevy offers these services in Houston. They will manage everything from cleaning to party planning.

4. Stop aiming for perfection.

   It’s great to have high standards, but don’t let those standards be so prescriptive that the process of attaining them is overwhelming. Decide what is most important in every situation and know that imperfection is OK from time to time.

5. Automate tasks.

   Think about what tasks can be automated. Can you schedule bills to be paid automatically? Need to be on the lookout for drops in airfare costs for your upcoming vacation? These days, so many tasks can be automated to save you time and energy. If you find yourself spending time on repetitive tasks, consider spending the time researching if they can be automated. You’ll thank yourself later.

6. Cut down phone time.

   One of the biggest time sucks for people these days is the smartphone. Sure, it can save a person a lot of time and help connect with people. Be careful, though, that you don’t let the phone keep you from your goals. Use apps to help monitor or shut off access to the apps that suck time from your otherwise productive day. Social media apps are the biggest cause for concern when looking to be more productive with your time.

7. Front load your biggest or most-hated tasks.

   Front loading your work will get the frustrating or annoying tasks off your plate sooner. Consider starting your day by answering emails, if you loathe the task. Put the biggest task at the top of your list so that it gets knocked out and you can move on to more enjoyable tasks.

8. Practice self-care, including eating healthy and resting.

   As you transition back to paid work, be sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When stressful times inevitably come along, you’ll thank yourself because you’ll be less likely to become ill and will have more energy and focus to succeed. There’s no substitute for taking care of yourself during busy seasons of life.

9. Use a meal or grocery delivery service.

   There are plenty of meal and grocery delivery services to choose from these days. Consider subscribing to one so you can have delicious and healthy meals instead of going out to eat in a pinch. Some meal delivery services include everything and only require a quick 20 minutes to make the meal.

10. Recognize when you need a break.

    Hard work and dedication is commendable, but constantly pushing yourself isn’t in anyone’s best interest. Sacrificing self-care so you can get everything done will only lead to burn-out, and that won’t be helpful for anyone. Recognize when you need a break so your work time can be more efficient.

It will take time to implement these hacks, so pace yourself and take baby steps to start. Learn what works best for you as you try new things and be sure they also work for your family.

If you need help with your pivot back to paid work in your life, Parents Pivot is here to help! Set up a coaching session with Anna for customized support working through this stage of your transition.

The Ultimate Guide On Self Care for the Working Mom

If there is ever a time in history when self care is at maximum importance, it’s now. The research is in and working moms have been hit the hardest with the coronavirus stay at home orders and school closures. We’re expected to keep working normal hours in the office, home school our kids, and manage the household, all under challenging circumstances of a pandemic. 

While we all know self care is important, and need it desperately, it’s hard to stick to a self care plan that constantly refreshes and rejuvenates us. Keep scrolling for a strategy that will help you not only stick to self care, but make it a priority that rejuvenates your life and work.

How to Make a Self Care Strategy (And Stick With It)

In order to make a self care strategy a normal part of your routine, try following these steps:  

Determine how you recharge. Not everyone enjoys the same self care activities. While some working moms may enjoy a spa day, other moms may want to get her hands dirty and work in the garden or take a pottery class. Don’t force yourself to do “self care” that isn’t right for. Think about the activities you love and how you feel afterwards. If the activity makes you happy, rejuvenates your body, and clears your mind - then it’s probably a great self care activity for you!

Schedule time in your calendar for you. All working moms are busy, busy, busy. But we seem to make time for things when it’s in our calendar. Use your organization and commitment to your calendar work for your self care routine as well. Set a time on your phone or computer for whatever self care activity you choose and don’t cancel. You can also set up multiple pre-meeting alerts to remind yourself. I’ve even gone as far as setting reminders in my phone itself that share a message from me, like, “Hey! It’s almost self care time. Wrap up what you are doing and don’t miss it!”

Set one or two self care goals. Setting a goal and getting formal with self care might make it seem too...business-like. But just like in business, setting a goal will help you reach it! Here are a couple of examples of self care goals:

• In the next month, I will schedule one self care activity a week.

• I will set aside 15 minutes a day to turn off all technology, find a quiet spot, and read a fun book.

Get an accountability buddy. When you want to reach your goals, you tap a person you trust to hold you accountable. This proven tactic can work for self care success as well. The best accountability buddy is someone who has a similar self goal so that you can monitor each other’s progress and encourage one another empathetically. 

Observe how self care affects your life and work. After you’ve decided what you will try as your self care activities, set goals, scheduled the activities in your calendar, and found an accountability buddy, it’s time to pay attention. What you think will work may not. What you don’t think will work, may be the key you’ve been looking for. After your self care activities, take note on how you feel. Maybe you need to try a different activity, or you may just need to make tweaks to your schedule. For example, 15 minute quiet time first thing in the morning may not be feasible if you have young kids, so doing it over your lunch break may work better. 

17 Self Care Ideas for the Working Mom

Here are 17 self care activities for the working mom to help you brainstorm and explore options that may work for you as you:

1. Indulge in a Spa day (you can do this at home!)

2. Practice self meditation (Kristin Neff has some great exercises!)

3. Take part in a clearing exercise (like this one from Maria Tucker)

4. Exercise

5. Go for a hike

6. Watch a movie that you choose

7. Indulge in your favorite food or dessert

8. Take a nap

9. Go to bed early

10. Take an art class

11. Write in a journal

12. Spend 15 minutes a day meditating

13. Write a gratitude list

14. Write letters to friends and family

15. Take up a new hobby (for example: scrapbooking, leather making, or photography)

16. Redecorate your work space or bedroom

17.  Buy a new outfit, makeup, or accessory that makes you feel beautiful

Many of these steps above can be taken with a friend so I would encourage you to enlist a friend in your self care if that feels good to you. Self care done with someone you connect with positively is twice the fun!

What else would you add to the list? Parents Pivot is always looking for new ways to support working moms in their transition back to paid work. If you’d like 1:1 support and resources, contact Anna at Parents Pivot today!

Simple Tricks To Fit Reading Into Your Busy Schedule, Plus A Working Mom Reading List

It’s become common knowledge that the most successful people in the world have impressive reading habits. It’s also known that if you want to raise a reader, be a reader. Putting together your own working mom reading list seems like a good move, both for you and for your kids. 

But how on earth does a working mom juggling all the hats fit in time to read? 

5 Simple Tricks to Squeeze in More Reading

If you’re anything like me, having a reading list sometimes seems like something that people without kids have the luxury to indulge. But, after lots of practice to make it a priority, I’ve found ways to fit in reading without sacrificing other responsibilities. Here are five simple tricks that will work for even the busiest of moms.

Bookend your day. Start and end your day by reading for 15 minutes. When you first wake up, read 15 minutes in bed. Then when you lay down for the night, read 15 more minutes before you go to sleep.  You’d be amazed how much progress you can make in 30 minutes a day.

Read on your breaks. Use your scheduled breaks to work your way through your to-read list.

Use your phone. Fill your Kindle app with books so you always have reading material on hand. Whenever you have a few minutes of downtime -- waiting for a meeting to start, sitting in the school pickup line, or even standing in line at the grocery store -- pull out your phone and read a few pages.

Diversify. Reading more than one book at a time can actually help you read more, overall. You can choose the book that best fits your mood, making you much more likely to pick it up and read. 

Read with your ears. Honestly, this is my favorite one. There are often more opportunities during the day to listen than to read, so consume more books by listening to them on audio. Listen while exercising, during your commute to and from work, or while catching up on housework. Turn up the speed to “read” even faster!

The Working Mom Reading List

So now that you have time to read during the week, here are a few recommendations to start your working mom reading list:

1. Tara Mohr’s book Playing Big is one of my favorite books for women interested in taking on new challenges. 

“While not all women aspire to end up in the corner office, every woman aspires to something. Playing Big fills a major gap among women’s career books; it isn’t just for corporate women. The book offers tools to help every woman play bigger—whether she’s an executive, community volunteer, artist, or stay-at-home mom.”

2. Breaking the Gender Code: How women can use what they already have to get what they actually want by Danielle Dobson is one of my personal favorites.

“Breaking the Gender Code encourages you to realise your contribution is highly valuable in all your roles, and the skills and capabilities strengthened by being a parent and caring for others is a powerful adaptive leadership and career asset. You don't need more of anything. By using what you already have, you are able to get what you actually want.”  

3. I am currently reading So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. This book is stretching my understanding and awareness of systemic racial issues. I highly recommend it for everyone.

“In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life.” 

4. Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter, and Thrive by Jessica Turner is currently on my nightstand and is a practical book with wisdom and worksheets! Every chapter concludes with a challenge to make it practical. 

“Working mothers constantly battle the pull to do all the things well. From managing work and home responsibilities to being impacted by a lack of self-care and time for deep friendships, the struggle is real. At the end of each day, many working moms are exhausted and stretched too thin. But this does not have to be the norm.”

5. I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make The Most of Their Time by Laura Vanderkam is backed by science and the perfect read for moms looking to make real change towards success. 

“Instead of relying on scattered stories, I Know How She Does It adds hard data to the debate. Based on hour-by-hour time logs from 1001 days in the lives of working mothers earning at least $100,000 a year, this book shows how these women spend the 168 hours that every one of us has each week. Case studies and interviews document how women make time to advance in their careers, enjoy family activities, and pursue their own passions. Based on these strategies, I Know How She Does It offers a framework for anyone who wants to thrive at work and life.”

6. Design Your Day: Be More Productive, Set Better Goals, and Live Life On Purpose 

 by Claire Diaz-Ortiz is inspiring, motivating, and challenging. You’ll love it!

“Whether you want to finish a house project, lose weight, or write a book, Design Your Day—by someone who read 150 books while caring for an infant—is an all-in-one guide to smart productivity. Use Claire’s tricks and tools and you’ll be amazed at what you can do in a day, let alone a lifetime.”

What books would you recommend adding to the list? I’d love to hear your recommendations. Tag Parents Pivot on Instagram with your favorites!