DEAR HARRIETTE: I have never worked as much as I am now -- even though I’m working from home. My teenage daughter tried to talk to me yesterday, and we couldn’t say a word to each other until dinnertime because I was on the phone every minute all day long. I even had to stay on my phone -- on mute! -- when I had to go to the bathroom. This is crazy. I need to manage my time better. I want to be there for my daughter and make time for basic necessities as I work. I’m nervous about establishing boundaries, though, because I don’t want my boss to think that I am slacking. What can I do? -- Boundaries
DEAR BOUNDARIES: Take a step back and think about how you worked before this pandemic. When did you take breaks? What did you do when your daughter needed you in the past? What was your rhythm? Now, write out your daily schedule by the hour, including meetings and phone calls. Incorporate coffee breaks and bathroom breaks into the schedule. Write in a time each day that is dedicated to your daughter. If she is awake, it can be before your workday starts. If not, it can be at your lunch break. Discuss it with her so she knows when your shared time will be. Then do your best to honor that.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)