In a recent impromptu lunch call with my coworkers, the conversation flowed around the books they were reading and the shows they’ve been enjoying on TV. I sat there with nothing to contribute. Absolutely nothing. Why, you ask? Don’t I indulge in leisure reading or unwind with some entertaining shows? The truth is, I can’t recall the last time I had a full hour to binge-watch anything or dive into a book. My closet is filled with half-finished knitting projects, and I have an endless list of home chores waiting for my attention.
As a lawyer, managing my time is second nature. Here’s a peek into my usual day working from home with three kids during this pandemic.
5:45 a.m.
Rise and shine. I exchange quick hellos and goodbyes with my husband as he heads off to teach high school while I make my way to the gym. A text from my mom arrives at 6 a.m. asking for Christmas gift ideas for the kids.
6:15 a.m.
Workout time! I check my emails while warming up on the treadmill. I’ve been working on personal records lately (bench press, deadlift, squat). Excitingly, I hit a new record on my deadlift—185 pounds!
7:25 a.m.
Back home, I go through my emails. I confirm that my 16-year-old daughter has packed a lunch and a water bottle before sending her off to school at 7:40 a.m. I toss dinner, which I planned on Sunday, into the crock pot and promptly forget about it. Another text from mom buzzes in (“Looking for Christmas gift ideas for the kids!”).
7:50 a.m.
I urge my 13-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son to eat breakfast while I sneak in a quick shower.
8:30 a.m.
I pop a birthday card for a friend into the mailbox (yay for remembering!). I make a cup of coffee and settle down to work at the dining room table. I force my 9-year-old to sit with me to limit distractions while reminding my 13-year-old not to doodle during her Zoom classes. My son’s constant barrage of “Mom, look at this! Mom, what does this mean? Mom!” makes it hard to focus. Deep breaths. Time to revise a lease amendment.
9:50 a.m.
My 13-year-old starts jumping around for her gym class warmups in the living room, and our dog begins barking, clearly needing to go outside. A debate ensues about whose turn it is to take the dog out. I remind my 9-year-old about his asynchronous gym class, which should include 20 minutes of soccer drills. He wants to do this with a friend, so I text the friend’s mom to invite him over for some socially distanced drills. I watch as they bike around the backyard.
10:55 a.m.
I realize the laundry I set to run overnight has been done for hours. I toss it into the dryer and put a frozen pizza in the oven for lunch.
11:00 a.m.
I spend time sending emails and have a call with a paralegal regarding a title matter.
11:20 a.m.
I remind the kids again to eat lunch.
12:28 p.m.
I wave goodbye to my 13-year-old and 9-year-old as they head out for their hybrid school schedules at 12:47 and 1:00. I breathe in the blissful quiet and head to the kitchen to make tea. I notice the sink overflowing with dirty dishes. After unloading and reloading the dishwasher, I eat lunch while catching up on emails.
12:45 p.m.
I sit down to work again.
12:49 p.m.
I get a call from the nurse at my son’s school. I forgot to submit the daily Covid self-certification form online (again). I quickly submit the forms for my two younger kids before getting a similar call from the junior high nurse.
12:50 – 2:45 p.m.
I dive into calls, drafting, and emails. Yes! I manage nearly two uninterrupted hours of work.
2:45 p.m.
My 16-year-old returns from school, breaking the silence, and we chat about her day and the latest election news.
3:00 p.m.
Back to work. Another text from mom (“Looking for Christmas gift ideas for the kids!”).
3:40 p.m.
My 9-year-old is back, adding to the noise.
3:50 p.m.
The 13-year-old returns, making it even louder. I remind my 16-year-old to leave for her sports class at the gym at 4:00.
4:00 p.m.
I encourage the kids to head to the park to enjoy the surprisingly warm November day, but they settle on the couch to play Minecraft and Fortnite instead. We argue over who takes the dog out.
4:05 p.m.
I make another cup of coffee—probably too late in the day for it, but oh well. I retreat to my upstairs office, thankful for that quiet space.
5:05 p.m.
My husband returns from work. We’re like passing ships in the night. We discuss the timing of my 13-year-old’s basketball practice. I remind her to eat dinner before practice and return to my office.
7:00 p.m.
I take a break to have dinner with my 16-year-old and 9-year-old, feeling grateful for the crock pot. After dinner, we clean the kitchen and walk the dog. I sit back down to work while my 9-year-old goes back to the Xbox and the 16-year-old starts her homework.
8:30 p.m.
My husband and 13-year-old come home from basketball. We all say hi, and I help them find dinner. I remind my 9-year-old to take a shower, nudging him five more times over the next half hour.
9:25 p.m.
The 9-year-old finally emerges from the shower. I remind him to brush his teeth, and we read a chapter of A Series of Unfortunate Events. I tuck him in and kiss him goodnight. The 13-year-old settles herself for bed, and I return to the dining room table to work alongside my 16-year-old.
11:30 p.m.
I’m fighting to stay awake as my daughter and I “do our homework together.” Eventually, we both head upstairs. I realize I forgot to respond to my mom’s text. Bleary-eyed, I finally text her with gift ideas: “gasoline gift cards for CC, Lego Avengers for AJ, Xbox headphones for CJ.” Then I collapse into bed, thoughts racing as I try to read a book to clear my mind.
Today’s time sheet:
- 1.5 hours cooking
- 0.5 hour wrangling children to walk the dog
- 0.75 hour household chores
- 0.5 hour conversations with family
- 1.5 hours commuting to and from the gym and working out
- 0.75 hour shower/get ready for the day
- 2 hours of silly interruptions
- And, of course, all those billable hours.
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