What will life be like after the Covid-19? - Jen Williams, Founder of Baby Toddler Adventure
/What will life be like after the Covid-19?
I wish I had a crystal ball I could look into in order to answer that question for you. All I can say is that I don’t think that life will be the same. And in a way, I hope it isn’t.
When we look back in history, there have been so many instances of social upheaval often due to factors such as war, famine, political unrest or economic downturn and we have always gotten through each time having learnt lessons (even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it) but we have. Every experience that happens to us, changes us, we review our outlook on life, we review what is important to us and we are no longer the same as before.
So this time it is no different. We can look at all the bad things that have happened (and I’m not suggesting we belittle these awful experiences we have gone through) but it’s ok to focus on what this time has taught us.
A major change has been the way we work. Parents have not been able to access support with childcare on the whole, and have had to find ways of working from home. Employers have had to adapt to this change and look at ways of supporting their employees, by utilising working from home practices or in some instances furloughing. Who even had heard of the word furloughing before now! The one thing that has been shown is that, in most cases, productivity hasn’t really suffered. Some businesses have, the ones that struggle to adapt or simply can’t. But those that have, have realised that actually they could be more flexible going forward.
Before Covid-19, I was aware of a campaign to push for flexible working so parents can have a better work-life balance. It would in fact allow anyone partake in flexible working in order to improve their work/life/mental health balance. My hope is that businesses have learnt that it is possible to be flexible without losing productivity and this type of working becomes more of a “norm”.
But what I have learnt through all this time? That we mothers are so much more capable than we ever thought. Just before we ever heard of the word Coronavirus, I launched my first ever online business. I had spent months behind the scenes perfecting my products, website, strategies and launched on my birthday, 4th March. The very next day was the first reported death of Coronavirus, and it was downhill for my small business from there. When the PM announced official lockdown on the 23rd March, I had barely been open for 2 weeks, when I had to close my virtual doors. I was gutted. I completely understood the reason for it and each day since I launched my website I had in some ways expected the news. My top priority was ensuring the safety of my family, with having two very small children, I wanted to make sure they stayed safe and healthy. So although I was upset to have to close so soon, it was a decision I didn’t hesitate to make.
I could have spent the following time feeling low about the fact I never got off the starting block with my business. But instead I decided to utilize the time I had - whilst still juggling two small children- and improve my understanding and knowledge of how to manage an online small business. I signed up to webinars, worked through the evenings, threw myself into the world of Instagram and other social media more and learnt all I could. So I could improve myself and my business. My goal was to come out when it was safe and showcase a refreshed approach to my business.
Indeed it was in this time that I refined what I wanted my business goal to be. I didn’t simply want to just sell thoughtful gifts to help parents (particularly new parents) but I wanted to provide support, guidance, a friendly place for all parents. As parents we have a wealth of knowledge about parenting that we have tried and tested with our own children. Even though every child is different, there are techniques or suggestions that other parents might be able to adapt and use with their own. Instead of spending hours late at night trying to find information about sleep routines, weaning, activities for independent play etc, I wanted to create a place where this knowledge can be shared so that parents can spend that precious time sleeping or resting rather than endlessly google-ing. I know this happens, because I was that parent. So, Baby Toddler Adventure Symposium was born. It is a private facebook group open to all parents- both mums and dads. All the members are parents, and I initiate a topic each week to promote and encourage discussion but members are free to post their own queries, worries and parenting celebrations.
This time in lockdown has given me the opportunity to step back and re-evaluate my business and thus my personal goals. So for me, life after Covid-19 will be different. I am more sure of who I am and what I want to do with my life, outside of being a mother (which goes without saying is already the best job in the world with it’s own highs and lows!). I am also determined to keep developing, keep learning and keep growing as a business.
Bio:
Baby Toddler Adventure specialises in thoughtful gifts for parents and hosts a parenting forum on Facebook called Baby Toddler Adventure Symposium. This is a private and respectful space for parents to share their knowledge, parenting highs and lows and celebrations. It is the modern day "village" it takes to raise a child, a place for support and guidance for all parents- mums and dads.
You can see more of Jen over at:
