I survived day #1!
I even got to enjoy a college friends zoom (from my bed!), which always improves my life outlook. And I only got one late-ish call (around 10 pm).
Today will be a bit more of a challenge as I have multiple meetings: a resident eval meeting from 12:30 – 3 and a program director meeting from 3 – 5! I cleared out my outpatient schedule and am going to do the best I can. However, my game plan is to defer calls (when possible) to the 3 – 5 pm time frame and duck out of the PD meeting when needed. I will put a note in the chat that I am on call as the meeting opens and I hope they will understand. I mean, they basically will have to.
Our APD will be at the meeting so she can fill me in if needed.
My kids last night were SO LOUD when I was trying to answer calls. I think this is the next big behavioral thing we need to work on. They are old enough (well, A&C especially) that they should be able to self-regulate and not be screaming/fighting/asking for things incessantly when I am taking a work call.
(It is also true I could extend my childcare a bit longer, but I had our nanny come yesterday morning and therefore did not want to have her stay too late).
((Or maybe the answer is just to allow unlimited screen time for them while I am on the phone . . . but honestly I don’t love that solution. Yesterday I allowed them to watch 6:30 – 7:30 pm and that seemed like plenty.))
When I finally got them to listen with threat of TV time loss, I got this:
So: they are capable. Theoretically. Ha.
Listening to: The Chair Soundtrack! Nerd rock with heavy emphasis on early Vampire Weekend. Perfect music for the ride home yesterday because sometimes even I need a break from podcast listening 🙂
3 Comments
One vote here for more screen time during weeks you’re on call. You can alternate 30 min screen with 30 min reading if it makes you feel better.
I’m with OMDG. Loudness invariably arises in my household when I’m on coaching calls. My kids are old enough that they can go outside on their own for a bit. Sometimes I enforce a bit of that. But I have used a bunch of screen time when needed. It’s not like it’s days upon end that you would be doing that. You could frame it too, as a special time they get only when you are on call. Do what works for you, sans guilt!
I set an alarm for my kids when I’m on calls. If they promise to stay quiet, they get to watch X amount of screen time. When the timer goes off they need to switch to reading or some form of quiet play.