Lauren Rodych-Eberle
Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

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How My Toddler Comes to Work With Me
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Blog, Entrepreneur, Parenting

How My Toddler Comes to Work With Me

November 8, 2022
-
Posted by Lauren Rodych-Eberle

There are some topics you almost feel like a fraud talking about. This topic is one of them. Even though I have been bringing my daughter to work with my for over two years, it is something that shifts and changes every time she changes. Right when I think we have the perfect set-up, we need to change it. But, then whenever I get asked about it, I realize, isn’t that parenting in a nutshell? Never having it wrapped up in a tiny bow, and always paying attention to your child(ren). So, although I cannot give a perfect formula or recipe, I can share some things that have worked for us.

Work in Intervals

I should add that I have jobs that are manageable with a toddler. Whether I’m teaching music, recording a podcast, or in a class, I can be on mute at various times, and can be somewhat available to my daughter’s needs throughout. That being said, I find working in intervals to be key. Even as adults, it’s best to take breaks when working, and bringing my daughter with me to work has “forced” me to do that. There are definitely sweet spots, but I try to never go over three hours without working in a break. The length I can go before my daughter needs a break has shifted at different times in her development.

Work around Naps (in carrier)

It’s key to know what kind of napper your kid is, and this will change with time too. When my daughter was napping a lot, she napped on me in the carrier no problem, and stayed asleep, so I could get so much work done with her right in there – even teaching or doing meetings. Once she wanted to be napping in her own room, I could judge a safe window where I knew she would always be asleep to book my meetings. Naps are a gift for work-at-home parents, because it is uninterrupted time to work, where you aren’t doing a juggling act quite as much. Now that my daughter has dropped all naps, I’m adjusting my schedule again.

Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones have been such a game changer for me while working, because I can still engage with my students or interviewees, etc. while moving around as I need to, even if it’s simply to grab my daughter a snack, or help her move to a various craft.

Stand Up

I can’t tell you why, but standing up to work as much as possible is easier for me. When my daughter was sleeping in her carrier, I could easily stand and rock her in it while I worked. When she was awake, it was easier to pick her up and down. She seems to handle me standing better too; If I am sitting she’s more likely to crawl up on me, try to touch the computer, etc. Random, I know, but standing up helps!

Have Everything Your Kid Will Need

This is key!! Having everything your kid will need in the area you’re working, or the area you allow them to roam, makes it possible for you to stay put and get your work done. Here are some of the things we have set up:

Activity Stations

Snacks

Have snacks ready! Have multiple options. Have another snack you can pull out! Just don’t forget the snacks.

Play

You’ll know what’s best for your kid – whether to have these all set up in stations, or to pull out one at a time as they are ready to move on, or to have it set up so they can simply grab them themselves. Some things that keep my daughter engaged in independent play while I’m working are:

  • Puzzles – of all kinds
  • Wooden Blocks
  • Play Dough (recipe for homemade play dough coming soon)
  • Books – never enough!!
  • Colouring – you can choose no-mess options if that works best for your kiddo

Here’s a post about some of our favourite toddler toys.

Toilet

As of now, my daughter can completely go to the bathroom by herself, get herself up on the toilet, flush, wash her hands, and do the full meal deal by herself. Prior to that, she needed some help. Because I couldn’t always leave where I was or interrupt my work for a washroom break, I had a toddler toilet set up in my office – this she could easily navigate on her own, along with wipes and hand sanitizer, and then I could help her dispose of it at a more convenient work time. Some may think this is weird, but truly it helped not interrupt big chunks of work time. If you want to learn more about toilet learning, check out this post!

Overall, when it comes to bringing my toddler to work with me, I’ve thought a lot about long game. It’s not always easy, but I do think it’s worth it. She gets to see me working hard and doing what I love. She gets to learn from me. And she gets to practice engaging in independent play. Let me add that independent play takes time to master, so if you have a kiddo that hasn’t done much of it, start with 5,10,15 minutes here or there and work your way up. Not every work day will be as smooth as the next, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Now, the question is, can I do it with two kiddos under the age of 3?! Stay tuned…

November 8, 2022
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ABOUT ME
I’m Lauren and I have a deep passion for music, food, the outdoors, and travel. I love random questions and fun facts, and am always searching for better ways to bring wellness and health into my life. I am the owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio, where I teach voice, piano, ukulele, and preschool music classes – via Skype and within Calgary. I am a Senior Consultant for Pampered Chef, which has inspired me over the years to write two cookbooks (plus one mini ebook cookbook), that have food preparation made easy in the forefront.
LET’S STAY IN TOUCH!


GET CONNECTED
HIKING SCAVENGER HUNT
INSTAGRAM FEED
Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm? The stuff. I Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm?

The stuff. I know this is a privileged point, so please be kind. I’ve always attempted to be a wannabe-minimalist (seeing as I have two of everything living between two places, but I want everything to have a purpose and a ‘home.’). 

I’ve very much noticed this be a trigger point for me since having kids, because J and I both have big families, and although their gift giving comes with so much heart and generosity, I’ve tried to find ways to bring in less stuff and to teach my kids to appreciate each gift, sooo less is more. 

Many years ago, my siblings adopted Sibling Christmas where instead of gifts, we have a special night out together! We love this tradition. After the overwhelm I felt this Christmas, being generously gifted Eberle gifts for now TWO kids, I asked J’s siblings if we can adopt a family-friendly event next year and remove all aunt/uncle/cousin gifts. Shout out to all my brother/sister-in-laws for getting on board. 

With C’s birthday party coming up, she asked for no gifts (OR a book as a gift).

Small steps, but always trying!!

Have you found any ways to minimize the stuff chaos in your house?!
You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate while solo parenting?

Taking your car to the shop with car seat aged kids. 

Do you hang out in the shop with the kids for hours? Do you bring travel car seats and install them to get them home? Honestly, what have y’all done? Having another human help isn’t the solution here for me this time…😅
There is no one more present than a baby. Our kidd There is no one more present than a baby. Our kiddos have so much to teach us. 

#babyrodycheberle2
🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head I got a war 🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head
I got a warm body in bed
I'm doing alright right where I'm at
With what I have

[I got a Jeep, I got a dog]
I got what they call a dream job
Plenty to want, nothing wrong with that
But I'm happy with what I have

I got the air, good eyes to see
Got so much more than I'll ever need
Even the bad days ain't all that bad
With what I have🎶
-Kelsea Ballerini
It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to w It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to win at Christmas, he did. For my gift he booked @throughcarrieslens to come follow our family on our Anniversary hike this year and take pictures of our butts…🤣 Maybe it’s because he knows pictures of him wearing our babies has me like…😍

Countdown to see you, @throughcarrieslens!
“Don’t worry so much about raising good kids t “Don’t worry so much about raising good kids that you forget you already have them.”🤍
J: Can we start weekly date night again? Also J: J: Can we start weekly date night again?

Also J: Okay, see you in two weeks after our road trip. 

[A real conversation we had recently…
Appreciate the sentiment, AND weekly may have been a bit ambitious.]
Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank yo Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank you to @schoenanigans for this onesie that will live on for every kiddo. Thank you to my non-Instagram husband for these babies.
Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm? The stuff. I Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm?

The stuff. I know this is a privileged point, so please be kind. I’ve always attempted to be a wannabe-minimalist (seeing as I have two of everything living between two places, but I want everything to have a purpose and a ‘home.’). 

I’ve very much noticed this be a trigger point for me since having kids, because J and I both have big families, and although their gift giving comes with so much heart and generosity, I’ve tried to find ways to bring in less stuff and to teach my kids to appreciate each gift, sooo less is more. 

Many years ago, my siblings adopted Sibling Christmas where instead of gifts, we have a special night out together! We love this tradition. After the overwhelm I felt this Christmas, being generously gifted Eberle gifts for now TWO kids, I asked J’s siblings if we can adopt a family-friendly event next year and remove all aunt/uncle/cousin gifts. Shout out to all my brother/sister-in-laws for getting on board. 

With C’s birthday party coming up, she asked for no gifts (OR a book as a gift).

Small steps, but always trying!!

Have you found any ways to minimize the stuff chaos in your house?!
You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate while solo parenting?

Taking your car to the shop with car seat aged kids. 

Do you hang out in the shop with the kids for hours? Do you bring travel car seats and install them to get them home? Honestly, what have y’all done? Having another human help isn’t the solution here for me this time…😅
There is no one more present than a baby. Our kidd There is no one more present than a baby. Our kiddos have so much to teach us. 

#babyrodycheberle2
🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head I got a war 🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head
I got a warm body in bed
I'm doing alright right where I'm at
With what I have

[I got a Jeep, I got a dog]
I got what they call a dream job
Plenty to want, nothing wrong with that
But I'm happy with what I have

I got the air, good eyes to see
Got so much more than I'll ever need
Even the bad days ain't all that bad
With what I have🎶
-Kelsea Ballerini
It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to w It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to win at Christmas, he did. For my gift he booked @throughcarrieslens to come follow our family on our Anniversary hike this year and take pictures of our butts…🤣 Maybe it’s because he knows pictures of him wearing our babies has me like…😍

Countdown to see you, @throughcarrieslens!
“Don’t worry so much about raising good kids t “Don’t worry so much about raising good kids that you forget you already have them.”🤍
J: Can we start weekly date night again? Also J: J: Can we start weekly date night again?

Also J: Okay, see you in two weeks after our road trip. 

[A real conversation we had recently…
Appreciate the sentiment, AND weekly may have been a bit ambitious.]
Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank yo Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank you to @schoenanigans for this onesie that will live on for every kiddo. Thank you to my non-Instagram husband for these babies.
In honour of @michaelferraro_music’s birthday, h In honour of @michaelferraro_music’s birthday, here’s a serious throwback. Go give his band @pinebarren.music a follow!

#lebsinging #nashvillecover
ABOUT

Owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio. Author of the Brownie Pan Every Damn Day Cookbooks. Consultant for Pampered Chef. Lover of Random Questions.

LET’S STAY IN TOUCH!


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