WFH with kids in lockdown

Dell's Sarah Shields outlines five steps working parents can take to help their children during self-isolation

I have worked from home for the past 15 years and I've been a huge advocate of remote working as a solution for working parents. I've waxed lyrical over the years at various conferences and public speaking slots about the benefits of working from home and being able to mix building a career with bringing up a family.

Both my kids were born in this remote working reality and both have known since the moment they crawled that if the office door is closed, mummy is working and don't come in. It has worked perfectly and I have my home office set up exactly as I want it - hence my slightly smug approach to the working from home edicts from governments globally, followed by various enforced lockdowns.

The reality however is somewhat different now. I am busier than I have ever been as this dreadful pandemic has enabled technology to become a lifeline to many households around the world, whilst allowing companies to keep trading by having millions of employees work from home. Technology is also at the heart of finding a cure to the virus, developing testing suites and enabling healthcare workers. Laptops are selling like the proverbial "hot cakes" and datacentres are being expanded/created to cope with demand. I've been working 12-hour days, managing my teams remotely. And they are all doing the same and keeping our partners and customers serving their businesses and customers. It is full on.

However, whilst I've been working from home at full pace, I have two kids at home that are facing the reality of home schooling with two parents who are up to their eyes with work. I have two kids that are frightened by the news of growing death rates and they don't understand why they can't see their friends. I have two kids that are lonely - because mummy is behind the closed office door which means they can't come in. This WFH chapter is tough - and it has hit me hard.

So my reason for sharing this post is simple - this WFH chapter is the hardest yet and we need to make some changes in order to balance the needs of our families and the needs of our businesses. Whilst schools are setting up virtual classrooms and the online resources continue to grow with activities and creative ideas for your family, remember that nothing compares to Mum and/or Dad giving them time and for them to have some form of structure in their days... So here are my fixes - they're not for every family but they work for me and mine...

1. Set the kids up for success before you start your day. Set their schedule and get them online, get them ready and let them feel confident.
2. Try and reduce the time of your Zoom / Skype / Call meetings. Try to break the day into 45 minutes on a call and 15 minutes with the kids. Let the kids know you will be making them your priority in those 15 minutes, not your work.
3. Have lunch together. Everyone needs to eat and children are used to a social lunch hour. Take a lunch break as a family.
4. Finish work on time. Schools finish at 4ish... See if you can do the same or if you can't, make sure you prioritise them at the end of your day. They need you. If there's still work to do, do it when they're in bed.
5. Smile and make the kids feel loved... There's never been a better time for a cuddle and to hear the words "I love you" as often as possible

So that's my advice to all the working parents out there that are busy working from home. It's what I am doing with my team, it's how my boss is supporting me and it's the way that Dell Technologies is enabling its workforce.

The fact we can work during this time is a massive privilege and we are the lucky ones - and I get that. But it's hard too. Our ability to work from home keeps us in full time employment - and I fully appreciate that there are others that are facing unemployment and hardship. For those of us in IT, we need to keep going - it will be technology that drives economies and the cure to this terrible virus. It will be people like you and me that will keep the wheels turning and keep technology in ample supply and keep the world online. I could not be prouder of our industry, our fellow team mates or the company I am lucky to work for. But remember the impact this terrible time has on your kids - and these simple steps will make it easier for them - and for you. Keep safe.