On parental leave, nursing (feeding...any way that gets 👶fed) and have a #teleconference you would like to/should join? A thread on my strategies which may help others. #academicmom #academiclife #academicchatter
Parental leave + #conference call = stress/anxiety for many moms trying to do it all.
Prepare your wardrobe (Yes, it's important!). 1. Earphones which have volume/mute controls. 2. Nursing top. 3. Cardigan/open sweater with pockets to easily store and access phone.
Prepare for 3+ conditions. My usual...
Baby:
1. Sleeps in nursery or elsewhere and does not wake up (🙌 Best case scenario)
2. Plays on mat or in activity center
3. Is hungry and needs to feed
4. Is crying and won't soothe. Forgo the call, your 👶needs you.
Multiple scenarios prepared for in advance/set-up, helps you to quickly pivot to what your little one needs.
If 👶 sleeping does not align with call time, the earphones on mute is SUPER helpful when nursing or watching 👶on mat or in activity center. This way you can still participate and/or listen in, and if all is quiet (ish), you will be able to unmute and contribute to the call.
Once I say hello & introduce myself, I let colleagues know I am balancing the call with childcare/newborn duties ➡️I let them know I may be on mute when a Q is posed of me, and if so, I'll reply asap or later via email (choose the method that least disrupts the call).
Supportive colleagues is key! I've sometimes had to jump off a call (scenario #4 😭) and had colleagues follow-up with what I missed or with other Qs.
When trying to manage "leave", being a new mom, all childcare/newborn needs, sleep deprivation etc, it's important to remember that calls can also wait! There will always be work! 👶 grow up too fast.
This also applies to dads on #parental leave (aside from nursing 😀). Curious to know of others strategies?
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