The Complete Back to Work Guide for New Moms

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For moms looking to re-enter the workforce after having a baby, remote working can prove to be a viable option. Compared to the traditional job market, remote jobs pose a lower barrier of entry, and a plethora of opportunities to choose from, providing new moms the freedom of choosing roles that best fit their needs. This article by Thifty Mama Life can serve as an in-depth guide for steps new moms need to take for striking a balance between childcare and professional responsibilities.

Choose Project-Based Roles

Browsing through remote work job boards, you’ll come across job postings for various types of positions such as full-time, part-time, project-based, contract, etc. As a start, project-based roles can be the best option. These roles often don’t require you to work on the employer’s schedule, rather, you are assigned a project and a deadline to which you’re expected to adhere to. For instance, it could include submitting 5 blogs by the end of the week.

With an infant in the mix, having a fixed work schedule is not a realistic expectation. Project-based roles will help overcome this challenge and allow you to undertake work without the pressure of daily time constraints.

Enlist Help of Those Around You

Whether it’s your partner or other members of the family, create a system for dividing daily childcare duties. Delegating responsibilities can allow you to at least work toward creating a predictable work schedule. Additionally, it’ll help to keep burnout at bay and allow you to dedicate more time and effort to work. If you have trouble finding help, consider working with a babysitter a few times a week, or talk to other families who may want to barter. 

Create a Dedicated Workspace

With a baby in the house, clutter is expected. But, when it comes to working, you need a clean, distraction-free space that allows you to fully concentrate on the task at hand. Here are the steps to take for creating a dedicated home workspace:

• If you have an extra room in the house, it’s time to convert it into a home office. If you don’t, then choose an area in the living room or the bedroom located near a window and enclose it using a room divider or curtain.

• As suggested by Nomad Paradise, invest in an ergonomic chair, adjustable table, and a pair of noise-canceling earphones.

• If you need additional lighting, add a desk/floor lamp.

• For storage, consider buying vertical shelving or compact cabinets that fit neatly beneath your desk.

Create a Space for Baby

The ideal goal is that you’ll be able to work when your baby is asleep. But children usually have different plans for their parents. If your baby gets to an age where they can keep themselves entertained why you’re close by, add a pack-n-play to your workspace or corner off a specific area next to you. 

Next, fill it with several safe, nontoxic toys that will keep your little one entertained. You can save money when you shop at thrift stores for gently-used toys. Alternatively, if you want new, read reviews and ratings before purchasing anything for your baby. It helps to get a second opinion about safety and durability. This free resource for families allows you to check any product you’re considering, and it can even give you new ideas. 

Automate Tasks with Technology

As a freelancer and a mom, you’ll always be in a time crunch. But by leveraging technology, the time taken to complete work-related tasks can be significantly reduced, allowing you to free up your schedule to focus on your family. Here’s a list of online tools you can consider using:

• Create a Logo: As a freelancer, you are essentially creating your own business, and with this come certain needs like establishing your business with the state, determining a name for your business and creating a logo. Fortunately, a lot of this can be handled online affordably. In many states, you can register a business for as low as $49, and there are free name generators that can help if you get stuck deciding on a moniker. If you want to design your own logo, try out a free logo maker online app to create the perfect logo. You can use free templates and spice up your design with fun fonts, images and colors. 

• Invoice Maker: When it comes to getting paid as a freelancer, creating your invoices key. An invoice serves as an official document that includes details about the employer, remuneration, and details about work. Look online for a free invoice maker, so you can design a professional-looking invoice in minutes, which can be promptly sent to employers post-completion of the project.

• Scheduling Tools: Meetings play an integral part in landing clients as a freelancer. However, you cannot dedicate hours each day to scheduling client meetings. By using scheduling tools, you can share a link with prospective clients, using which they can schedule a meeting in just a few clicks. 

Re-entering the workforce will be challenging, no doubt. But by carefully choosing the right freelance option, creating a dedicated workspace, finding help with your baby, and using the right technology for your freelance work, you position yourself for success. These steps will help you create strong foundations and a support system, so you can push through and enjoy the best of both worlds.