How to code with kids and a job.
Lessons this mom of three is learning.
I recently accepted a job as a web developer at a fashion startup. Even more exciting is that I get to work from home and plan my day around my children’s school schedule. This has been a two year journey of learning how to program while I was pregnant with my third kid, caring for a family and working a full-time job(which turned to part-time 4 months ago). Here are a few things I’m learning along the way.
- Be kind to yourself. I heard this advice from a female developer years ago and it has been invaluable to me ever since. Self-doubt and self-criticism are always lurking around the corner waiting for me to mess up in my home or professional life and I bet it’s the same for you. So, I’m going to tell you what I’ve been told. Coding is hard. Being a mom is even harder. Take a break when you need it. Be kind to yourself. It will be okay.
2. Network. This is tough for me because I’m an introvert. Although I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself to network, when I do, I learn something important about the industry or I meet someone cool. At one event, I ended up sitting next to the Director of Marketing of a fashtech company. We got to talking about blue velvet sofas and the preppy ways of the east coast. Eventually, she gave me her card so we could talk about an opening in her department. And if you really don’t want to leave the house, you can do a lot of networking on-line. I’ve gotten into tech conferences for free and learned of useful resources just by joining a couple of tech groups on Facebook.
3. Set Boundaries. This is another hard one because it does disappoint people and it can make things awkward. But in the end, it keeps me sane, UNresentful and focused on my priorities.
4. Ask for help. I find that people in the coding community love to help. Generally, whenever I’ve reached out to someone for advice, they were willing to give it or connect me with someone who could. I also have a great husband who takes the kids to the park so I can focus on my work. So yes, whether it is your husband, your mom, your friend or your colleague- ask him or her for help. You. Need. It.
5. Help others. Keep the cycle going. Share your experience, knowledge and skill. Donate. Promote. Do your part because someone did theirs to get you to this point.
6. Hustle. Yes, I know I said to be kind to yourself but you’ll need to balance it with some hustle. Learning to code is no joke. When the kids are asleep, I’m going through tutorials or working on a project. I don’t do this every night, but I do it as often as I can.
