Working mothers are doing double-duty since the coronavirus pandemic closed schools last month, balancing their job with watching over their children in tghe workplace.
It’s created some outside-the-box thinking.
“I work at Premier Behavioral Services as a receptionist here in Laurinburg,” said Mikala Jacobs of Pembroke. “I need to work, so I am bringing my 2-year-old along with me every day.”
Taking children to the workplace can be difficult, but some moms say it doesn’t have to be. A few have figured out how to make it work and go smoothly for them and their youngsters.
“Jaxson will color while I work or he will watch something educational,” said Jacobs. “It doesn’t affect me much unless he isn’t having a good day and wants to be fussy.”
Other mothers are dealing with the same situation.
“My 6-year-old son understands that where we are is a place of business and that mommy has to work while we are there,” said another Scotland County resident who asked to remain anonymous. “So he is well-behaved, quiet and does a great job of keeping himself entertained for the most part.
“I usually take one break before and after lunch, so I bring him outside to run around for about 10 minutes to burn some energy and I keep a supply of toys and activities to keep him occupied for the day,” she continued. “Sometimes I give him simple tasks to do, such as making copies of something, getting things off the printer, stuffing envelopes, etc. — and I pay him at the end of the day for his help. Having him there doesn’t really change my work day or slow me down.”
Small children can bring plenty of joy to their families. but sometimes schedules can be a difficult task on a normal day. Taking children to work every day has the potential to cause extra problems in keeping it on track.
“During a typical work day, my son plays on and/or watches his phone for a little while, has a snack, sits at an extra desk we have with my laptop and pretends he is working while eating a snack,” the unidentified mother said. “We leave the office for lunch and, when we come back, he takes a nap, has a snack, draws pictures, and now that school is out he does some of his worksheets while there as well.”
Also, while working moms are taking their child to work with them, they are also finding themselves playing the role of teacher on top of dealing with their normal daily tasks and responsibilities.
“Most of my son’s schoolwork he can do without help, so he does it while at work with me and then I check over it when we get home,” the mom explained. “He doesn’t have a set time he has to do it, but he knows after lunch that he cannot have any screen time until he completes at least four of his worksheets, so he usually does all of them immediately after lunch.”
Working moms also say keeping their child active can be difficult in the workplace, but it doesn’t have to be.
“Like I said earlier, I take my son outside for 10 minutes prior to and 10 minutes after lunch to run around and burn energy outside — and then he always plays outside when we go home on my hour lunch break,” the unidentified mother said. “During that time, he is usually riding his bike, playing on the swingset or just running around. After work he is always playing outside as he would do after school every day.”
Some kids tend to have enough energy to share and stay active on their own, no matter the surroundings.
“I don’t really make Jaxon do physical activities while we are in the office,” said Jacobs, “because he’s already a ball of energy and loves to run and play.”
Some of the working moms also have the daunting task of keeping their kids out of the public and away from those who could potentially have the virus.
“Well, honestly, bringing him with me during this time with the virus going around worries me,” said Jacobs. “With patients coming in and not knowing who has been in contact with it without knowing … but I do my best having him separated when clients come in. I’m coping pretty well overall, I just see it as I get to spend more time with my baby during this crazy time.”
Other moms are lucky enough to be in offices that are not open to the public which helps protect them from catching the virus.
“While I am still working and bringing him to my office, our doors are locked to the public and everyone at my office is doing a great job of keeping as much distance from each other as possible,” the unidentified mom said. “Although I am not always directly spending time with him, I am enjoying having the time with my son and getting to talk to him all day. I am so grateful I have a job and even more.”
During this challenging time, moms are doing what they have to to hold things together and keep their families safe, happy and healthy.
“For the most part, I am fine. I pray a lot and try to limit touching things that aren’t mine,” the mom said. “I try not to go out in public unless I absolutely have to. I am mainly trying to keep things as normal for my son as possible and keep him on as close to a regular schedule as he would have any other time.”
JJ Melton can be reached at [email protected].
