For most people, this pandemic has changed our routine greatly. Classes are suspended for the kids, malls are mostly closed, and offices are mostly off-limits. As COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the world, we asked moms how they’re doing with combining kids and work in the same space. These work from home moms tell us how they manage to stay afloat!

“I thought it will be very fun cause I’ll get to see my baby all day. But I just realized that it’s more nakaka guilty when I am home. She sees me and yet I am still unable to spend quality time with her because there is so much work, adjusting to COVID-19 and all.”

“I don’t do a one hour break. I eat fast so I can spend time with her. I also don’t get to take PM snack breaks. It is for these reasons why I feel like work from home is more tiring.”

“Worried because it wasn’t from the best of scenarios. This isn’t a benefit. It is a necessary action to contain the virus. But also I felt relieved that the company granted it so we wouldn’t be at risk.”

“No traffic! I feel like I have generally more time on my hands because there is no travel time. Plus, I’m with family. Still better than being away at work.”

“For the past 25 years, I have been working in an office corporate setting where schedules are fixed and grid. As a working mom, I have managed to balance my life between work and home. But working from home is more stressful than I imagined. It feels there is no start and end as I’m glued to mobile devices throughout the walking hours. I actually miss the one-hour slow drive from Alabang to Makati where I use this as my “quiet” time to clear my mind.”

“I would still get up at 6am and drink my coffee in peace while everyone is still asleep. By 7am, I should be bathed and dressed, ready to join the family for breakfast and plan for the day. There is work for me to do, study time for the kids. We have lunch together, resume what we do by 3 to 4pm, all work and school should be done. The rest of the day should be set for personal and family time. This is ideally, of course.”

“This can be emotionally draining so for me it is really crucial to set my own quiet time without online gadgets and household distractions. I always need alone time to think, reflect, and get inspired. I need to recharge batteries. There’s also something mentally bothersome about being isolated from strangers. Being able to say “hi” or even just a smile or nod to a random stranger in the elevator can be refreshing mentally”

“As a working mom for 16 years, I have always believed that one really need not have to do trade-offs. A balance can always be achieved. After all, my main inspiration for professional growth is my family and vice versa, my inspiration for my family is my own professional purpose. Additionally,  f there’s anything this situation made me realize, a once-a-week elective ‘work from home’ arrangement can be fruitful not just for myself but for society in general. For one it will help reduce traffic and even pollution.  Perhaps this will give testament that if it’s only for one day in a week, it could actually be more beneficial than detrimental.”

“The main challenge would be when the kids know I’m home, they would like to play and it breaks my heart to turn them away because I have to work. Apart from this, it’s also challenging to manage their homework or study time simultaneously since they still need supervision and I am expected to be one to tutor them. I also feel the adjustment work-wise because in my line of work, it’s still more efficient to be in an office where communication is faster.”

“I learned to set boundaries where the kids know they can’t enter the room, especially when I am on the phone with a client. I have also learned to delegate. I printed out the kids’ schedule and explained to my husband and our household staff who can assist while I need to work. I prepare materials at night so in the morning, it’s easier for everyone to know what they’re supposed to do. I strictly implement the rules to the kids so they know that just like school, they need to follow schedule for work and play. Helpers also know the rules so they escalate to me when the kids are not following.”

“To cope with stress, I exercise more. I bought some workout equipment and I follow workout apps on my phone. I also run around the village. Most importantly, I take quiet time and I pray. Knowing that God is in control despite all the uncertainty gives me a sense of reassurance that we will be okay!”

“I am concerned that I won’t be as productive given that working from home has certain distractions attached to it so this actually pushes me to work harder because I’m trying to compensate for being home. I don’t know why there is a guilty feeling that comes from working from home, perhaps it’s because of my corporate training.”

“I am able to supervise my kids and spend more time with them, with no rush hour to contend with. My kids’ face light up when I tell them that I’m not leaving the house today, when they are so used to waving goodbye to me in the morning. It gives me a sense that being a hands-on mom and a career woman can be done, like maybe having your cake and eating it too.”

“Juggling a couple of businesses is definitely challenging, but my children accepted that when I was in the office or out of the house, it meant I was working. However, the moment I got home, it meant that I was available for them already. Now that they see me in the house, it’s not easy for them to distance themselves for me. Even if I say I’m working, I am still the go to person to open a snack, read a book, manage a quarrel or just plainly be the listening ear to their stories. The hardest thing for me is to tell them one and over again to wait cause I am working. I don’t want them to feel work matters more than them.”

“I’ve been reading my bible every morning being intentional about some quiet time of prayer before I battle on the day. I also take simple pauses like breathing exercises for a few minutes. I am more conscious in the coming days about switching off from work so that I can rest my brain and enjoy my family.”

“Sometimes I worry that I am not doing enough on any hats that I’m wearing because it’s not a set up I am used to. But in anything, as time passes by, I think I’ll be able to find a good balance for both. I am still so very blessed to have work.”

“We haven’t been meeting up with other family members and I’m worried he might be clingier to me and take time to warm up to strangers again.”

“As a working mom for 16 years, I have always believed that one really need not have to do trade-offs. A balance can always be achieved. After all, my main inspiration for professional growth is my family and vice versa, my inspiration for my family is my own professional purpose. Additionally,  f there’s anything this situation made me realize, a once-a-week elective ‘work from home’ arrangement can be fruitful not just for myself but for society in general. For one it will help reduce traffic and even pollution.  Perhaps this will give testament that if it’s only for one day in a week, it could actually be more beneficial than detrimental.”