Lockdown mum: Here is what you need to know in order to survive it

By Raisy Aquino Quezada

The normality of our daily lives has changed. Gone are those days when you had to rush to drop your kids off at school or daycare and go to work. 2021 started with a national lockdown and we could be living like this for a long time.

Now, mothers change from working in the room or living room to going to the kitchen, from preparing food or sitting with the children and helping with homework to dividing the time between video conferences and housework.

Gabriela Chavez, 29, working mum, is home-schooling her two children (Abigail, 2 and Isaac, 7). She has some fantastic tips to survive while working, being a teacher and being a mum. All at the same time!

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1. Communication is key

“You have to talk to your children to make them understand that this situation requires teamwork. It is recommended to speak honestly about what is happening, about the relevance of hygiene measures and, above all, it is important that you explain to them that you are doing work from home and the responsibility that a job implies, as well as they continue with their routines schoolchildren with certain adaptations.”

2. Time management

“Plan the things to do at work and at home, including a list of tasks that require immediate attention and solutions and those with defined deadlines. The rest can be administered to carry out throughout the week or the weekend.”

3. Organization with flexibility

“It is essential to have a structured daily plan, with established schedules for food, work or studies, for coexistence, entertainment and rest. But it must be taken into account that, despite having a plan, mothers must have an open mind, be flexible and know that sometimes things cannot be carried out to the letter. In times like this of great stress, it’s important that this plan is accompanied by flexibility, a good attitude and positive thoughts.”

4. Be practical

“There is no need to complicate our existence. At this time we are facing many limitations, especially due to space and the restrictions that this situation entails. That is why it is important to implement measures that reduce stress and be practical in every way, from work at home to cleaning and preparing food, among other things. Perfection does not apply to the situation we are facing.”

5. Set rules

“When working and taking classes in the same place, it is important to set down certain rules. For example, each person should have their own space and when they are on the computer or mobile device, all family members should use headphones or other devices. Just as physical spaces are respected, it is also important to respect children’s activities, that is, mothers must trust their children’s digital capabilities without ceasing to supervise.”