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PREST: How to work and be a parent in a global pandemic

Employees around the world adjusting to a new work-from-home COVID-19 reality
work from home
Working from home gets a little harder when there is a wriggling 55-pound boy draped around your neck. photo Joanne Prest

I thought, maybe now that they’re older, maybe now that we’re in a pandemic, maybe now that even they know that people are in danger and the world has changed drastically for everyone, maybe my kids would let me do a little work from home.

I haven’t had to do much work from home with my boys around, at least not since they were a lot younger. It never went well.

Me taking a business call was always greeted as a clear signal to my children that they should immediately get as near to me as possible and unleash the screaming. Me cracking open my laptop was like the sound of a starter’s pistol for my boys, the race was on to see which one of them could be first to position themselves directly on top of my head. I don’t know what their thought process was, but at first sight of me attempting to write something or do a quick social media hit, my boys would pounce on me like a pack of wolves. It’s tricky to get that saucy tweet just right when you are wearing a wriggling five-year-old like a scarf.

They are older now, and we are in a pandemic, with the prime minister telling us all to stay home. And so it was earlier this week that I tested out this new work-from-home world, attempting one quick little work task with my two boys in the room. How’d it go? Well, the entire task was accomplished with a 55-pound seven-year-old draped around my neck.

Uh oh. Forget the toilet paper panic ... this is serious. This new world in which we are expected to be productive while in the presence of cooped up crazy kiddos is something I was not prepared for, and I imagine there are thousands on the North Shore and millions around the world just like me.

To prepare myself for months at home with little monsters, I asked some of my parent-friends on Facebook who often work from home what they do to get by.

There was one mother who has been working at home since her first baby appeared more than a decade ago. She said it was toughest when the kids were four and under, and though that was just a few years ago for me I barely have any recollection of that time other than a constant nagging worry that a kid would get crushed by a falling chest of drawers or something like that. Oh, and the fact the grapes are a perfect fit for a toddler’s windpipe. Thoughts and prayers to anyone facing that age group right now.

Now that her kids are older she still really limits the screen time so that true creativity can shine through. “When faced with no screens, after some pretty intense whining they eventually find lots of creative things to do. I just have to stand really firm about it.” Laudable.

Another mom, a super organizer, came back with so many thoughts that she brainstormed her way to a Google doc full of tips for staying sane while staying home. So many good ideas, including wearing a funny hat or headband when it is “do not disturb” time, keeping to regular snack and meal times that everyone shares in, and following through when you say you’ll be available to play at a certain time. She also tracked down a bunch of neat things that people are doing online to keep kids entertained during the pandemic, like daily online art classes from famous illustrators, streaming symphonies and neighbourhood support groups.

Another mom who lives in Hong Kong came in with a dose of reality. She’s been home with her kids since January, and said that for the first few weeks the creativity flows but it gets harder and harder to keep the novelty alive, so much so that even screens lose their appeal. Can you imagine?!

How does she stay sane? “DRINK LOTS OF ALCOHOL,” she says, joking I think. She also suggests you get outside when possible, understand your own limits and remember that you are not alone. Nice.

Another mom had harrowing tales of office etiquette flying out the window as she navigates work with an active three-year-old by her side. 

“In the last week she has also answered my phone when my boss called, twice. I’m the epitome of professionalism right now."

Then there was the dad who does this all the time, like a grizzled old cop who’s seen it all.

“Get up two hours before them. Do two solid hours of work. Turn on screens when the critters awaken. Get two more hours work done. Spend middle four to five hours of the day running them ragged and abandoning any attempt at work. Turn screens back on an hour before supper, check and answer emails. Feed critters. Put to bed. Complete all remaining work tasks. Repeat tomorrow.”

What if my kids get up at 5:30? His eyes narrowed, his stance widened as he fingered his pistol, which was full of silly string. “Two. Hours. Before.”

Just having had those online conversations, I came away heartened. And my first day of working from home went amazingly well. Of course we all know this is entirely thanks to my wife, but still.

I'd love to hear what you are doing to get your work done at home while still keeping the munchkins happy. Reply below or on social media!

It is powerful to remember that even though you may find yourself on your own, you are not alone. These are tough times, but we will get through them together.

Andy Prest is sports editor for the North Shore News. His humour/lifestyle column runs biweekly. aprest@nsnews.com