#29 - Multifamily Moms: Meeting the Challenges of Quarantine
When creating content for this podcast, I always ask myself, “What will have the most value for you? For the people that make up our industry?”
Sometimes it’s hitting marketing goals… sometimes it’s talking about life!
Moms have taken on new jobs during quarantine for their family - becoming teachers, full-time caregivers, some are sole providers - all the while balancing their anxieties and stress during an unpredictable time and still keeping up with a demanding career in multifamily housing.
How are they meeting the challenges?
I wanted to know, so I reached out to a few of my friends and colleagues in our industry and I’m so excited to share insights from each of them about handling challenges and overcoming obstacles.
These moms are regular people, but after I heard from them, I think they are superheroes disguised as moms.
Listen here! And scroll through for some highlights and ways to connect with these awesome multifamily moms.
Erica Campbell Byrum
Assistant Vice President of Social Media at Apartments.com
I’ve been in the multifamily industry for 14 years and never worked from home till now! This is a challenge in and of itself. It has turned into another job to be full-time employee and a mother. Finding a good balance has helped my family cope with this challenging period in our lives.
Here are four big tips to keep your life together:
Routine. Establish a new framework to follow so things feel less stressful. My husband and I work out even before our daughter is awake. I shower, get dressed (with makeup and a professional top!). Keeping a routine like this has helped a lot.
Incorporate breaks. Schedule playtime outside and going for walks
Keep your space clean. Pick up all the toys! I make time to clean up the house before dinner and bath so our home is no longer a playroom.
Embrace screen time. Nothing wrong with a movie marathon! I’ve listened to Frozen 1 and 2 a million times in the background SO many times. It’s allowed me to get a really good uninterrupted sprint of work done. I felt guilty at times, but these are strange times, so embrace it and move on. A little screen time is OK, and it’s been healthy for me to get a few hours of work done.
I strategically schedule around nap time. I book all my sales demo calls or work that requires full focus. It’s not a science, and I can’t always predict naps perfectly. But it’s been helpful to try know I’ll have a good block of time.
Plan activities in advance. At the start of COVID, I hit up the Target and Dollar Store to have a stock of activities for my daughter. It’s been helpful to have a stock of new things I can introduce to her to keep her interest. I keep them all in a clear, plastic bin in my office. I have quick access to them on the fly!
Instagram accounts I love: @Dayswithgrey @busytoddler
They have given me inspiration for activities and ways to keep my daughter entertained. It’s challenging to juggle mom work, work work, and housework. It can be done and we do survive. Each day gets a little easier. I’ve enjoyed the extra time and snuggles with my daughter.
“It’s challenging to juggle work work, mom work, and house work, but it can be done and we do survive. Each day gets a little easier.”
Tiffaney Jane Alsup
Group Marketing Manager for Cardinal Group Management
I’ve been in Multifamily for about 10 years now.
On Success:
I think something that has helped me grow has been to invest in myself. Not to compare my experience to others’ and focus on my own growth.
“Behind every successful woman, is herself.” If you don’t invest in yourself, how can you expect others to invest in you and get behind your ideas? Truly believe in yourself and don’t underestimate what you can do.
Recent challenges as a working mom:
Finding my balance and getting a new rhythm. On the day I was heading back to the office after maternity leave, we got notice that we were starting to WFH. My excitement of getting back to normal at the office was quickly put on hold!
I’m looking at it as a blessing to be able to be home longer with my daughter as she’s growing. Getting to have lunch with her and hold her, play with her, watch her personality develop has been wonderful. It is a challenge, though. I’m still going through “new mom” hurdles with no sleep and caring for an infant, and being isolated with a baby on top of it. I’ve given myself a lot of grace and am trying not to compare myself to others. I’ll get through it the best I can!
“If you don’t invest in yourself, how can you expect others to invest in you and get behind your ideas? Truly believe in yourself and don’t underestimate what you can do. ”
Rachel Cahanin
Director of Marketing for Stoneleigh Companies
I’ve been in the Multifamily industry for 8 years now and as the mother of a two year old, COVID has presented a new set of challenges. Toddlers do well with routine and thrive on structure and having to upend his routine resulted in acting out and frustration.
His days went from a structured learning schedule to staying home and watching Mommy work.
My work became more demanding leaving me with 8+ hours of work everyday. Essentially, I was now balancing two full-time jobs.
My advice to moms:
You are doing an amazing job. It’s OK if you let your child watch tv for an extended period of time. It’s OK if you fed your child frozen nuggets for the tenth day in a row. You may feel like you aren’t devoting enough time to your child, but they won’t remember that. But what they WILL remember, is that you had extra time to spend together when you otherwise wouldn’t have. Take advantage of this precious window of time. Put your child in a stroller and go for a walk on your lunch break. Break out the chalk and do shapes and numbers on the driveway. Or get a bike trailer and take them on a bike ride with you. Just remember, this is a short period of time. Focus on the positives.
“Your child thinks the world of you, and you should be proud of yourself too. ”
Tracy Cherry
Marketing Director for Summit Property Management
I’ve been in the Multifamily Industry for about 18 years. Some of my earliest memories are from living onsite. You could say I grew up in the industry.
COVID panic hit about 3 weeks in, when the governor announced that the kids weren’t going back to school. I sat on the living room floor and cried in front of my kids. Not my finest moment. I locked myself in a closet and ate a chocolate bar. I thought, “Moms figure stuff out. I need to level up.”
Finding the balance:
As a company, we were focused on writing new policies to help those with COVID or had lost their jobs due to COVID. At home, we had elementary, middle, and high school kids trying to figure out distance learning. My company understands that if we are going to have a sustainable workforce, especially one that works from home, we are going to need to adapt and work with family life. We are all human, let’s be understanding.
“There is no small act, no cupcake, no late-night errand that goes unnoticed. You are a mom building a cathedral. You just can’t see what it will become.”
I’m a National Speaker, Industry Educator, Coach, Consultant, but I’m also Mom. This insane time period has been challenging to say the least and mental health has been a huge concern. I’m feeling the burden and the stress, too. I’m right there with you.
We are looking for connections and getting back to our purpose. This now includes being parents, teachers, and professionals - all at the same time.
Tips to balance home and work:
Set boundaries and clarify expectations. Boundaries will help you protect your time and expectations help you to maximize that time. Boundaries could be work time, work zones, time off. I know that these limits can get blurred right now with trying to get it all done, but when you clarify what’s needed of you and your team - they can help or let you be more productive during “work time”.
Schedule! I plan ahead as much as I can so that my child knows where and when to expect me. He won’t feel lost and knows exactly who to talk to if he needs anything.
“Anthony, at 2:00 today I have a webinar. I will be in the office and cannot be bothered. You’ll need to ask Daddy if you need something, ok?”
Create work zones. My son and I have developed a system - a traffic signal on the door of my office. If it’s on red, he knows he can’t bother me and it will need to wait a little while. Yellow, he can slip me a note or whisper to ask a question. Green means, come on in! I’m flexible with that work time and welcome questions or conversation.
“Boundaries will help you protect your time and expectations help you to maximize that time.”
Multifamily Time Savers from Sprout
Our Sprout Moms! We love and appreciate every one.
Lauren - COO and Co-Founder of Sprout
Tasa - Website Production
Cierra - Customer Service Specialist (She makes sure you get your prints!)
Marci - Content Creator
Rebecca - Creative Director
Dee - Customer Service Specialist (amazing momma and grandma!)