How to keep calm raising newborns during COVID-19 from a woman who's done it twice - Rosie Davies-Smith, Founder of PR Dispatch
/How to keep calm raising newborns during COVID-19 from a woman who's done it twice.
Just before the first lockdown, I gave birth to my daughter Sloane. And with my second daughter Isla born in April, I certainly have experience in giving birth during a pandemic.In this blog post I share my tips and experiences on raising newborns while running a business during COVID-19.
Stick to your schedule
Sticking to a schedule is important when trying to balance raising newborns, a pandemic and a business. Sticking to your schedule is key because it is crucial to recognise that no schedule will work for everyone, and you should create one based on your life and personal needs.
Thankfully I’m lucky enough to share childcare with my husband. This makes the time I have with Sloane really special as I can focus on her without thinking too much about work (although when running a business you never really switch off completely!).
Surrounded by the anxieties of the pandemic while being pregnant means it is key to block out some time for yourself and for work. For me this includes going on walks in my local area in Devon and enjoying too many cups of tea while watching a crime series. I find that by taking time out for myself (as hard as it is) my mind becomes clearer and the best business and life decisions are made.
Get organised and plan ahead
I’ve learnt from my first pregnancy that it’s important to get organised early. I finalised my maternity leave plans and spoke with the team at PR Dispatch well in advance in regards to a handover. This included putting plans in place to ensure that tours and talks will be covered and that anything needed from me such as assets will have been provided. Organising this early allows you the luxury of properly switching off once the baby is born.
However, I’ve also learnt from my first maternity leave that not everything always goes so smoothly. When we were hit with the first lockdown I had to restructure my businesses. I now try to find comfort in knowing that not everything goes according to plan and some days will be harder than others. Being realistic, but also being kind to yourself is my way of maintaining a good headspace. My favourite piece of advice is that you can’t be all things to all people and I try to remember this when everything feels a bit too much.
Take time to rest and don’t be afraid to ask for help
During both pregnancies I’ve been suffering with gestational diabetes. My sugars are very up and down, and sometimes I just need to give myself time to rest (which I know is often easier said than done).
I’ve also learnt that you shouldn’t feel guilty asking for help if you need it. This can be from your partner, parents, friends and employees. Obviously this has been harder during COVID-19, but it has been as simple as asking my mum to order things I am missing for the birth or asking a friend to drop something round to the door. The small things can be a huge help.
Bio:
As a multi-award winning PR entrepreneur, the solo female founder of two PR businesses and director of PR Dispatch, the UK’s first affordable PR platform dedicated to giving product-based businesses all of the tools, confidence and contacts they need to DIY their own PR, Rosie Davies-Smith is no stranger to multi-tasking. But when discovering she was pregnant in June 2019, Rosie became determined to prove to herself, and to all working mothers, that 'a great mother' and 'successful business woman’ were not mutually exclusive ideas. After giving birth to her daughter, Sloane, in February 2020, Rosie's first few months as a new mum were anything but ordinary. With a 3 week old Sloane in a sling, Rosie adapted fast in order to raise her baby, support her team and navigate a small business in a challenging landscape. With Sloane now 1 year old and PR Dispatch having thrived against all the odds, Rosie has shown that, even though it was not all smooth sailing, with some adaptations, delegations and a great team you really can be a great mum and a successful business woman too. Rosie is determined to keep growing her businesses and her family with her second child due in April 2021.
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