As a team of working parents ourselves, we wanted to start a feature where we share a little more about what the Flexable Team’s life + work fit has looked like this past year as they work from home with kids, pets, or whatever unique situation they have!
To kick off our series, Flexable’s Community Lead Caylin Charrie shares a little about herself and what life has been like for her family at home during the pandemic.
What was your journey like before working joining the Flexable Team?
I am a teacher by trade. I was a fourth grade school teacher for most of my tenure, and I absolutely loved it. Recently, I felt a strong calling to be home.
I’m sure some of you who have left your career to be home can relate: I started itching to work, make my own money, but I wasn’t willing to give up my ability to be there for my children. I couldn’t have been more blessed to sit down for coffee with Priya and jump in with Flexable last year. It’s been the biggest blessing especially during this CRAZY pandemic!
What is the hardest part of working from home with kids during pandemic?
The hardest part is feeling like you’re not doing either job well. I always want to do more with my children, and I always wish I had more quiet time to focus on my work. Both are not possible right now, so I just have to release my fears and trust I’m doing the best I can.
What is your WFH “office” like?
I have a dedicated office in the spare bedroom, however my ‘office’ is often next to wherever my kids are learning/playing/eating.
What has been the best memory from this time OR what has “gotten you through” this time?
While it hasn’t been easy, I no doubt will look back at this time as some of the best memories of my life. I have spent SO much quality time with my kids (some of the time was just us watching way too much TV, eating too many sugary snacks, etc.) but we were together. I won’t ever get this back. I’m cherishing this time (amidst the crazy).
IF you had advice for a struggling Mama working from home with kids struggling to balance it all, what would it be?
I may be in a different boat because I have a boss that very much so respects what it’s like to be juggling quite literally two jobs at once, but my advice would be to speak up. Share with your boss exactly what is going on and how he/she can support you. You need to remember your value, and if the work brings you joy, it’s WORTH it to communicate.
What does being a working mother mean to you or what excites you most about being a mother? Being a mom means making two people feel valued, loved, and cherished. It means sending two people out into the world to love and impact others. It means finding their interests, self worth, and navigating through the back-talk. It means finding more of myself. Being a working mom means just the same, but I *hope* I’m showing them it’s never too late, always follow your heart, work for what you want, trust if you take a leap, He will provide, and don’t be afraid to be wrong.
Any favorite resources for motherhood or working motherhood?My favorite resources are the people closest to me. I don’t feel like social media has been particularly helpful, especially during the pandemic. It seems like Jane down the road has it all together, and Suzie the next town over seems to have a lot of free time! What gives?! Delete the noise, find a crew (or one person) you can be honest with, share your frustrations, but then move on. Be happy. Look for the positives EVERY DAY. When you children are driving you CRAZY, give yourself some space and then LOOK for ONE great thing they’re doing; CALL them out on it! Celebrate. Set up a reward system for catching them being good. Feed the positive, and it will grow. Don’t lean into the negativity of the moms groups; they’re usually only good for finding a good plumber. 😉
What is your favorite Flexable offering right now and why? While ALL of our pre-scheduled camps are incredible, I love that we have on-demand virtual childcare. I am the person who ALWAYS realizes last minute I could really use some help with my kiddos, and having this virtual care available at your fingertips is incredible.
What do you hope parent users get from Flexable’s Virtual Childcare? I hope parent users get that feeling of accomplishment when they use our service. Most of us have a to-do list that is a mile long; just crossing ONE big task off my to-do makes me feel like I’ve ‘won’ for the day. If our parent users can experience that, I would consider that a success.
Why do you love working for Flexable? I love working for Flexable because I feel valued and respected and trusted every day. The Flexable team is filled with brilliant people who all are like minded; we value the same things, but we all have such different backgrounds. This makes for a REALLY special work environment. When you’re respected and valued at work, it makes you want to work harder and achieve even more.
Thanks Caylin!
