Recently, during a casual lunch call with my colleagues, the conversation turned to the books they’ve been diving into and the shows they’ve been binge-watching. I found myself with nothing to contribute. Why, you ask? Don’t I indulge in books or unwind with some TV? Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I had a moment to sit back and watch a series or read a book without interruptions. My closet is filled with unfinished knitting projects and a never-ending list of home tasks.
As a lawyer, I’m accustomed to managing my time efficiently. Here’s a glimpse into my usual day working from home with three kids during this pandemic.
5:45 a.m.
Wake up. Exchange quick hellos and goodbyes with my husband as he heads out to teach high school while I make my way to the gym. I check a text from my mom at 6:00 a.m. (“Searching for Christmas gift ideas for the kids!”)
6:15 a.m.
Workout (I sneak in some email checks while warming up on the treadmill). I’ve been focusing on personal records (PRs) lately and manage to hit a new PR on my deadlift (185 pounds)!
7:25 a.m.
Return home. Check emails and confirm that my 16-year-old has packed her lunch and water bottle before sending her off to school at 7:40 a.m. I toss dinner (planned on Sunday) into the crock pot and promptly forget about it. Another text from Mom (“Still looking for Christmas gift ideas for the kids!”)
7:50 a.m.
Urge my 13-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son to eat breakfast while I quickly shower.
8:30 a.m.
Pop a birthday card for a friend into the mailbox (yay for not forgetting!). Make a cup of coffee and settle in to work at the dining room table, forcing my 9-year-old to sit with me to limit distractions. I remind my 13-year-old to focus during her Zoom calls while answering my son’s relentless “Mom, look at this!” every few minutes. Breathe, then revise a lease amendment.
9:50 a.m.
My 13-year-old starts her gym class warm-ups in the living room, and the dog begins barking. After a brief debate with the kids over who will take the dog out, I remind my 9-year-old about his asynchronous gym class (20 minutes of soccer drills). He wants to do it with a friend, so I text the friend’s mom to arrange a socially distanced soccer practice. Soon, I see the kids biking around the backyard.
9:55 a.m.
Back to revising a purchase and sale agreement, I send client comments on another agreement and begin reviewing a zoning ordinance for an upcoming project.
10:55 a.m.
I remember that the laundry I set to run overnight finished hours ago. I switch it to the dryer and throw a frozen pizza into the oven for lunch.
11:00 a.m.
Send emails and have a call with a paralegal about a title matter.
11:20 a.m.
Remind the kids to have lunch.
11:22 a.m.
More emails to review and yet another reminder for the kids to eat lunch. (Thank goodness the dog is finally napping!)
12:28 p.m.
Say goodbye to my 13-year-old and 9-year-old as they head off for their hybrid school start times of 12:47 and 1:00, respectively.
12:30 p.m.
Relish the rare quiet moment. I walk to the kitchen for tea and notice the sink overflowing with dirty dishes. I open the dishwasher only to find it’s full of clean dishes from last night’s dinner. I unload and reload it, then eat lunch while catching up on emails.
12:45 p.m.
Finally sit down to work.
12:49 p.m.
A call from my son’s school nurse reminds me I forgot to submit the daily Covid self-certification form (again). I quickly submit the forms for my younger kids before the junior high nurse calls about my 13-year-old.
12:50 – 2:45 p.m.
Focused work time filled with calls, drafting, and emails. Yes! Almost two uninterrupted hours!
2:45 p.m.
My 16-year-old returns home, breaking the silence. We chat about her day and the latest election updates.
3:00 p.m.
Attempt to dive back into work. Another text from my mom (“Looking for Christmas gift ideas for the kids!”)
3:40 p.m.
My 9-year-old is back, bringing noise along with him.
3:50 p.m.
My 13-year-old returns. I remind my 16-year-old to leave for her sports class at the gym at 4:00.
4:00 p.m.
Try to push the kids outside to enjoy the unusually warm November day, but they choose to stay in and play video games instead. I argue with them about who will take the dog out.
4:05 p.m.
Make another cup of coffee. It’s a bit late for caffeine, but I need it. I escape to my “real” office upstairs, thankful for that space.
5:05 p.m.
My husband comes home. We briefly discuss my 13-year-old’s basketball practice and I encourage her to eat dinner before heading out. Then, I retreat back to work.
7:00 p.m.
Break for dinner with my 16-year-old and 9-year-old. Grateful for the crock pot once again! After dinner, we clean up and walk the dog. I return to work while my 9-year-old plays Xbox and my 16-year-old does her homework.
8:30 p.m.
My husband and 13-year-old arrive home from basketball. We greet each other, and I help them find something to eat. I remind my 9-year-old to shower, prompting five more reminders over the next half hour.
9:25 p.m.
My 9-year-old finally finishes his shower. I remind him to brush his teeth, and we read a chapter of “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” I tuck him in and kiss him goodnight. The 13-year-old goes to bed on her own, and I head back to work at the dining room table with my 16-year-old.
11:30 p.m.
I struggle to stay awake while pretending to do homework with my 16-year-old. When we finally reach a stopping point, we head upstairs together. I realize I forgot to respond to my mom’s text. Bleary-eyed, I text her: “Gas gift cards for CC, Lego Avengers for AJ, Xbox headphones for CJ.” I collapse into bed and contemplate the day for half an hour while trying to read a book to calm my mind.
Today’s time sheet
1.5 hours cooking; 0.5 hour wrangling children for dog walks; 0.75 hour on household chores; 0.5 hour in family conversations; 1.5 hours in and out of the gym and working out; 0.75 hour showering/getting ready; 2 hours of interruptions; and of course, those ever-important billable hours.
Summary
This article provides a candid look into a lawyer’s daily routine while balancing work from home and family life during the pandemic. It highlights the challenges of juggling professional responsibilities with parenting tasks, showcasing the unique chaos of a day filled with interruptions, multitasking, and the ongoing quest for work-life balance. For more information on pregnancy resources, you can check out this excellent resource from the NHS on intrauterine insemination.
Possible Search Queries
- How do moms manage working from home during a pandemic?
- Tips for balancing work and parenting at home.
- Daily routines of working mothers during COVID-19.
- How to stay productive while working from home with kids.
- Strategies for remote working parents.