Working From Home In The Age Of Corona

 We made it through our first full week as empty nesters in a pandemic, which means we have also survived the two of us working from home.

 

Good thing, since the husband is home until at least January—first it was June, then Labor Day, now January. I suspect it might get pushed back farther. 

 

We’ve divvied things up fairly well. He gets the office with the door, I get the rest of the house. I knock on the door and only enter if he answers. He starts talking to me and I ignore him until he goes away. J The highlight of his day is getting the mail, so I let him take over that job, especially when it rains. 

 

In all seriousness, it’s nice having someone around. I still use Facebook and Twitter as my water cooler, but now when I want to talk to an actual person, I can talk to him.

 

There are only a few habits I have to hide. Like talking to myself. I think it’s a sign of intelligence. He thinks it’s weird and distracting. Also pacing, which I do when I’m working out a plot point. He hasn’t actually complained about it, but I know it would bother the crap out of me if he were doing it, so I try to only do it when he’s in a closed-door meeting (that also makes it easier for me to sneak in steps for our weekly Fitbit challenge—shhh, don’t tell him).

 

All in all, I think we’ve adjusted fairly well. 

 

But we’ll see how week two goes.

 

* * *

 

Calling all readers! Have you read all your beach reads over the summer and looking for new books to dive into this month? We’re celebrating books from all genres at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven’s third annual Fall Into These Great Reads Bookathon. 47 books featured plus a chance to win one of the following:

 

Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

Enter to win a $25 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

Enter to win a $15 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

Enter to win a $10 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card

 

I’m thrilled to be a part of this event. You won’t want to miss it. Bookmark this event and tell your friends:

 

https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/bookpromos/categories/fall-into-these-great-reads

 

 

I Work

Banana Girl defended me to her friends this weekend. They seem to have a negative opinion about whether working from home is really “work,” and Banana Girl tried to set them straight.

While I’m not a big fan of her feeling the need to defend me, I’m glad I’ve instilled in her the understanding that what I do is work. Sure, it’s not going to an office every day, reporting to a boss and requesting time off, but it’s work. I have deadlines, I have to-do lists and I get paid.

But more than that, I work even when I don’t get paid and my time is just as valuable as anyone else’s. In fact sometimes, I work harder for no money than I do for money.

My job as a mom is as important as anything else I do. I’m raising a responsible human, for goodness’ sake! And if you don’t believe that’s important, look around at all the irresponsible, horrible people out there. I want better for the world and I expect better of myself and my children.

My responsibilities extend to more than just my family, and I take those responsibilities seriously. You may not see that; many people don’t. But responsibility also comes from within, and your inability to see it doesn’t mean it’s not worthy or that it doesn’t exist.

So the next time you’re tempted to belittle someone else’s time, take a moment to think. Banana Girl does, and that to me is worth more than the salary you earn.