Balancing family and career: How does the New Work model work?

Home offices, flexible working hours, and the like have become indispensable in the professional world, especially since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. More and more can be done from home; even entire meetings can be held online. The "new work model" can make everyday life much easier, especially for parents, but it can also pose some pitfalls. Our mara mea team moms, who work from home and in the office, know this all too well. In this article, they share a few insider tips about what works well and what doesn't work for them in their home office, and what tips they can offer other new work parents.

What does New Work actually mean and what advantages does it bring?

"New Work" refers to all work models that differ from the traditional 9-to-5 office model. The focus is primarily on the personal development of each employee , which is promoted through more freedom and personal responsibility. This often means that employees determine their own working hours and location , so they can work in the office or from home as needed. It's perfect for balancing family and work, as it allows for more flexible daily routines and allows for better coordination of daycare pickups, doctor's appointments, and other responsibilities. But you're not "just" working from home, and therefore have regular contact with colleagues. Mara mea Sales Manager Melanie, mother of a 4-year-old daughter, also finds this combination practical: " By combining office and home office days, I experience great personal exchange and input with my colleagues on site, and on home office days I can do shopping and personal errands before picking up my children from daycare without stress or a guilty conscience because I save on travel. "

Single parents: About home office days and remote working

New Work: It doesn’t have to be perfect

The New Work model sounds like an absolute dream solution for parents. But as with everything, reality quickly sets in, even when working from home. Daycare and school closures (as we just experienced) or a cold can quickly disrupt everyday life. Our mara mea Mums experienced this last year too. "Even with the New Work model, it's incredibly important to have backup for childcare," says online editor Nadine, who lives alone with her young son. "I was very lucky that my family lives nearby. But in an emergency, you shouldn't be afraid to ask friends or neighbors if they can step in." And if the night shift or an early morning shift is the only solution: Think about yourself, take breaks, make sure you set priorities and manage your energy well. Your desk and kitchen don't have to be spotless, and does that email really have to go out today?

Balancing family and work - breaks are important!

Regular breaks and good time management are generally important in New Work. When working from home, it's easy for work and leisure to become mixed up, which is why it's all the more important to schedule regular breaks, a set end-of-work time, and me-time alongside work and kids . mara mea online marketing expert Hannah, who commutes between Berlin and Fürstenwalde with her small patchwork family and is currently expecting her first baby, works freelance and shared this tip with us: "Even though I can organize my working hours very flexibly at mara mea and with my other clients in the area of ​​artist booking, I tend to work during traditional office hours. On the one hand, I find this easier personally because I can better define the beginning and end of the workday, and on the other hand, because my clients and colleagues are more easily reachable during these times. " Online editor Nadine, who has been working exclusively from home for several years, is also well aware of the blurring of work time and free time: "Often you just want to quickly check your emails in the evenings or on the weekends - and then you're stuck at the computer, and time that I wanted for myself or for my young son is lost to work. Especially on the weekends, I now try to completely take my eyes off the computer. Most things can always wait until Monday 😉 ...and you can start the new week all the more relaxed."

Design your home office and me-time in style

With so much time at home, it's all the more important that you feel really comfortable and can prepare yourself for work or your me-time accordingly. For one thing, the design of your workplace plays a key role. A beautifully furnished office or a work corner with plants, mood boards, etc. can immediately bring a little more motivation and creativity. You can also switch into office mode more quickly in a place that is exclusively for work. "I love my kitchen as a workplace, but there are also a lot of distractions lurking here: quickly emptying the dishwasher, quickly rearranging the shelves... I find it much easier to focus at my desk, which I really only use for work," explains online editor Nadine.

In addition to the workplace , clothing also plays an important role in the home office . It's easy to fall into the "sweatpants trap" at home, especially when you have to rush in the morning to get the kids and everything to daycare etc. And these days are part of it too. Nevertheless, you'll be better prepared for work if you dress up for the home office. Of course, it's still okay to keep it comfortable, especially for expectant mothers, who are particularly well equipped with maternity pants with a soft waistband. Leggings are also an all-rounder for the home office. Combined with a blouse or our kimono , you can quickly conjure up a stylish yet comfortable outfit for the home office. At the same time, you'll be ready for a few yoga exercises or a short run during your me-time break.

And now it's your turn: How are you shaping your new work model and your time working from home? We're always happy to receive input and inspiration. Here you can browse through our entire new Comfy collection , designed to make your work, time with the kids, and your me-time even more enjoyable.