Hey, everyone! I hope you’re having an amazing Thanksgiving week and are getting ready for all your fun festivities tomorrow! I’m just about ready; I’m super excited about all the good times with family coming up.
Speaking of family, it seems I’ve become “that mom” — the one I used to scroll past on social media and blogs since “mom advice” didn’t really apply to me. =) Now that I have a sweet angel, I’m thinking . . . Give me all the advice I can get!!
One of the biggest adjustments I’ve had to make (and I say this happily, because I can’t imagine life without my sweet boy!) has been figuring out a work schedule rhythm that’s good for my husband and me.
Many of you are aware that Dainty Jewell’s is our team effort, and we work together on a daily basis. Since our son’s birth, I’ve had to cut back on a lot of my duties. Outside of our busier seasons, I try to fit in all I can working part-time hours. As a mom and an entrepreneur, I’ve had to learn to prepare ahead, designing all the way through next summer in advance.
As you may be able to imagine, it’s quite different adding a little one into your workday! I’m definitely one that gets in the “zone” and works away, and sometimes I overdo it. But one thing I’ve learned is that having Monty with me forces Mommy to take quite a few more “breaks” than normal!
When it comes to working with young ones, here are some of the things I’ve learned about making it work:
- First, it helps to have an amazing support system. My parents live back east, so they “watch” Monty sometimes via FaceTime. If you don’t already have one, I recommend getting a phone stand for FaceTiming long-distance relatives! This helps entertain your little one with one of the BEST kind of entertainment! My parents talk to Monty, read books to him, sing, you name it! My local family (in-laws and grandmas-in-law) are amazing too. They watch Monty a couple of days out of the week so that I’m able to buckle down and accomplish big things! Ha
- Get a bouncer, bassinet, toys — anything else — to help entertain and keep your baby comfy in a work environment. These items double to what I have at home, but really, it’s so worth it. Keep music or noise going (YouTube kids Bible songs are so cute!). I notice that when there’s dead silence, Monty has a harder time falling asleep at work.
- TAKE BREAKS! It’s okay to not accomplish 100% of what you wish you could do, or to not knock every item off your to-do list as you might have before. It’s all about priorities: the job will always be there; my baby, however, will not be a baby for long. I tell myself this all the time every day! I’m used to getting stuff done right away, so the slower pace has been quite an adjustment.
- Keep extra bottles, paci’s, diapers, wipes, formula, etc., on hand at work. (We’ve made the mistake of forgetting these essentials more than once!)
Recently, I posted on Dainty Jewell’s’ Instagram asking for some of our followers’ advice. I received some great tips from there, too.
@kari_lee: I also have learned to let something go every day. I try to alternate which balls I drop so it isn’t obvious–because no one can do it all. And it is okay!
@mfarnam: Delegate. Crockpots are great. Hire a housekeeper; make a list of all the things you do and separate into critical, important, and nonimportant. From there, decide what to either eliminate, delegate, or focus your energies on. It’s a season. . . . Be sure to linger and love.
@applemon_bentz28: Prioritize, plan ahead, learn to be okay to say no. Let go of unrealistic ideals and accept what works. Remember that raising these babies is the most important ministry.