Dr. Jennifer Litchfield is the assistant dean & chief nurse administrator at Becker College in Worcester.
Updated: October 26, 2020
10 things
10 Things I know about... Juggling working full-time and remote learning
By Jennifer Litchfield
As a full-time working parent in a leadership position, with two children in two different schools learning remotely during the pandemic, I offer the following advice: Let the mom/dad guilt go.
10) Be grateful. As much as I may complain, it’s important to remember how lucky we are to be keeping our children and ourselves safe. Our frontline heroes don’t have the luxury of working from home, and they worry about bringing the virus back to their loved ones. While this is an inconvenience for us all, just remember this too shall pass.
9) Stop apologizing. Many things are out of our control due to the pandemic, why apologize about it? You may not make all the children’s extracurricular activities, but celebrate that you were able to get them to some. Yay you!
8) Ask for help. My new mantra, “I am one person. I cannot do it all.” As much as I envision myself as Captain Marvel, even she has an Achilles’ heel.
7) Step away from your computer. It’s OK. Every hour, step away for 10 minutes, and allow yourself to take some breaths.
6) Sometimes you laugh, sometimes you cry. There are some days I can laugh and some days I honestly cry about the daily work that needs to get done. Stay connected with family or reach out to a mental health provider. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health.
5) It is OK to have a messy house. We are in a pandemic, no one is coming to visit. When on Zoom or Teams meetings choose a trendy (but professional) background. Take some breaths and relax. Fold the laundry when you binge Netflix.
4) Set realistic expectations. If the goals you set everyday aren’t realistic, you are bound to fail from the get go. Try your best, that’s all that matters.
3) Be flexible. I try my best to start the kids’ Zooms on time, and if they are late, they aren’t the only ones! Be flexible, as we are now living in an ever-changing world.
2) Learn to say, “no.” It is easy to say, “Yes!” There is a feeling of guilt when we say no. During the pandemic working parents are working double-time, and barely have time to shower! Let the guilt go, and if you can’t find the time to complete the request, just don’t do it.
1) Take care of yourself. You can’t run on an empty gas tank. I’m always the first one up and the last one to bed. I’m learning to slow dow, and to take care of myself. Go for daily walks, join cocktail hour Zoom calls with friends, and partake in an at-home spa day. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you can’t care of anyone else.
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Anonymous
October 26, 2020
Great job!! Jen, very well written. ??????
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