Some Work From Home. Others Work The Home.

Some work from home, some work at home and then there are those who work the home. And it is this last kind of people who go largely unnoticed. Yet every household has a resident Work the Home Executive who ensures that everybody's life stays on track. They are commonly referred to as housewives and elegantly called, homemakers. Willingly, tiredly, grudgingly, angrily, self-effacingly, they make up an invisible army of carers that spans the entire nation, and the globe.

In our part of the world, they are supported by another, lesser-acknowledged unit, the housemaids. Together they ensure that those who work-from-home and those who work-at-home are able to do so without worrying about the basics like food and beverage, or indulgences like fluffed up pillows or phenyl scented floors.

But enter the Novel Coronavirus, and the world has been shocked into a state of limbo. With lockdowns being enforced left, right and centre, social networks are being flooded with posts that list a multitude of ways to spend time indoors. 

Yes, this is a time to spend with the family, this is a time to express yourself creatively, to learn, to experiment, to declutter, to Marie Kondo your life. And in all likelihood, most people will be able to check things off their wishlist, because the silent army won't be experiencing anything drastically different from the routine. 

Well, no. That would be incorrect. There is some difference.

With the whole family staying at home, and the housemaids forced to stay out, it is up to these homemakers to muster the physical energy to get everyone through this emergency. 

The laundry may not be piling up, but mind you, it won't be disappearing. The dishes in the sink will certainly double. The house itself will look like it is on the verge of an apocalypse. Bored kids will be ricocheting off the walls because they've exhausted every other option. And the commander-in-chief will sigh and shout orders in turns. 

In case any of these resident commandants happen to be working-from-home and working the home at the same time, it is advised that family members tread with utmost caution. And at the first signs of resemblance with Gollum, the league of extraordinary homemakers need to shift gears to the Delegate & Rule Program.

The Program entails the following:

1. Reclaim Your Space. 

Note that while the spouse is working-from-home and therefore, needs to adhere to standard working hours, the home timings fall under your purview like any other normal day. Reclaim-your-time. Reclaim-your-space. Remember, they still get weekends off. So don't share the weekdays. 

2. Put Your Sleep First

For a homemaker to function to her full capacity, she cannot and should not compromise on her sleep. Especially for mothers of hyperactive young ones, put your sleep first. You need it! Brew yourself a cup of chamomile and snooze. There's nothing better than a good night's rest and a well-earned nap to reset for the day. 

3. Hashtag Self-Care

Because why not?! While the world is busy tweeting and posting fun things to do at home, the least you can do for yourself is to indulge in some all-important self-care routine. Meditation tops my list. But feel free to explore and add to this. And, (here comes the essential part), guard your self-care hour like a fierce animal mother. When you see the needy enemy approaching, snarl. Remember the story about the snake that would hiss so that it didn't have to bite? You get the drift 😉

4. Delegate and Rule

Yes, the load is twice the usual. But everyone's at home and it's great to enjoy some precious family time. Don't hesitate to voice your needs and delegate tasks. You don't need to do the dishes after every meal. Hell, you needn't have to cook every single meal either. You don't have to get through that pile of laundry all by yourself. And jhaadu-pochha is the kind of workout routine you shouldn't hesitate to share😃. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. Get the kids involved. You're not being a slave-driver, you're educating them in essential life skills. 

5. Increase Your Tribe

A working mum needn't be one who just runs the office. Honestly, which stay-at-home mum is ever at rest? That cold undercurrent that runs between stay-at-home mums and working-out-of- home mums? Yes, that needs to stop. Neither can survive without the other. Put the judgements aside and join the tribe. 

The Covid-19 is begging the world to adopt a more balanced lifestyle; to prioritize holistically. And just as governments enforce lockdowns, it's about time the army that works the home realign and reinstate balance within the family.