Page 17 - Q2_2020_Newsletter

Jayna ANGELA

Louder "Realizing that there are so many things out of "The bright side for me in all of this is the extra RUNDLE
Louder

time with my children. This time may be trying
my control, all I can do is work each day to live
a happier and healthier life, create memories
for us most days, but the time spent working
with my loved ones and do good in the world."
from home will foster some of the fondest
memories of our children’s lives."
What are the biggest work related challenges you are growing and knowing that soon enough, he will not need What are the biggest family related challenges you are parameters. I decided to type up a simple family schedule
facing as a woman in STEM during this pandemic? me as much anymore. It was a startling realization that his facing? showing what the children, Mama, and Daddy are assigned
During the pandemic, I started a new position as a “baby phase” was over. I am thankful for this extra time at I have two small children ages 3 and 5 and it’s hard for to do for each hour from breakfast to bedtime. It worked
Subcontract Administrator and was unable to travel and home with him.
them to see Mama and Daddy at home all day and not get like magic!
receive a full week of in-person training, which turned into
2). Reprioritizing our family budget and creating financial all of our attention. My husband and I both work full time,
virtual. This was not the ideal method for transitioning to a How do you work from home, while balancing the
security. During this time, I realized where I spent money so we try very hard to give our evenings and weekends
new team, with teammates in different locations. needs of homeschooling or the needs of a family?
daily including morning coffee runs, lunches with co- to our children. They are not used to us working so much Schedule and parameters — with consistency. Children
What have you done to address those challenges? workers, weekend activities (concerts, dinners, happy while we’re at home and, to make matters worse, my are creatures of habit. If their routines are interrupted
Our team has done a terrific job using our technological hours). These little and sometimes big expenses all add daughter who was fully potty trained before this — wasn’t continuously or merely non-existent, they don’t respond
tools such as Microsoft Teams, Cisco Jabber, WebEx, etc. up. Having this time at home, we have saved money and anymore. well. I learned quickly that I needed to set my own routine
for remote training. We use the technology available prioritize “needs” over “wants.” I will keep these lessons for What have you done to address those challenges? with them in mind. For example, I take my first calls of
to screen share and walk through training for the future spending. The first couple of weeks working from home were the the day from the kitchen while they eat breakfast, but
different aspects of the job. We also have face-to-face hardest and chaos. We had constant interruptions from the rest of my day is spent in my make-shift office in the
interaction utilizing virtual conferencing and webcams 3). Prioritizing family and close friends. I have made the children and several failed attempts by my husband dining room. The children understand that when I’m in my
to help read facial expressions and confirm knowledge it a point to schedule weekly Zoom game nights with and I to “take turns” working. Our days were filled with “office,” I’m working. If I try to bring my laptop to the couch,
comprehension. With the utilization of the webcams, we friends and family spread out over the country. I am incessant inquiries about all bets are off.
can use our sense of sight, in addition to hearing, to pick communicating now more than ever with loved ones I snacks and when the children
up on nuances. rarely get to see in person.
could have electronics next. At first, I tried to be flexible to when we’d do school work. I
What are five reasons to 4). Focusing on good health. Listening to my body when I found myself saying, “Please would just fit it in when I had time, which inevitably meant
be hopeful during this I need to rest. Stretching and working out for both my go outside. I need a few more that we were scrambling to get the paperwork finished
Corona crisis? physical and mental health. I am running again, something minutes,” for what seemed like just before bedtime, which then became a fight because
1). Ability to cherish and I had forgotten how much I loved to do in the past. every few minutes. The mom that 30-minute slot was noted as “TV show” on the all-
make memories with my guilt was heavy. We didn’t follow powerful schedule. Eventually, I decided to block an hour
son. During this period, I 5). Tackling climate change on a global scale. There is a any kind of routine, so every for school work on my or my husband’s work calendars
am privileged to spend significant drop in air pollution and the largest annual day was like Saturday for them, each day.
extra time with my son. drop in carbon emissions in modern history. We can and they couldn’t understand
He is in Kindergarten, and see clearly the impact we have as a human race on our why we were working. Finally, We eat together. At least lunch and dinner. It’s on
I specifically remember environment and places where we see the possibility for I had an idea. I’ve known for everyone’s schedule at the same time every day and
earlier this year, wishing I more significant change moving forward. Telecommuting some time that my son takes we give ourselves permission to be imperfect. Getting
had more time with him. for work is showing to be an effective way to cut after me when it comes to dressed isn’t always a priority, and we’re OK with that.
Realizing how fast he is unnecessary travel and overhead costs when it comes to scheduling and tidiness. Pajamas are comfortable.
specific sectors of the workforce. He longs for routine and

16 The Feeder | Issue 2, 2020 Issue 2, 2020 | The Feeder 17