I worked for an organisation once that gave a formal warning to an employee for bringing her daughter to work. During school holidays.
The carer cancelled suddenly that morning.
It was just an office. No top secret security clearances required.
Needless to say I wasn't there long. I left within 2 months.
The organisation didn't align to my values.
My children have grown up in the arts and cultural organisations in which I've worked.
They've attended gallery openings.
They've been present for installs.
They've come along to performances.
They've volunteered at public programs - helping kids their own age with arts projects.
They've seen the fun side of my work where projects come together.
And now, during isolation, they've been witness to another side of my work.
The many meetings talking and supporting my teams via the screen.
They've jumped into calls to introduce themselves.
They've brought me coffee.
They've made dinner at night.
We are in this together.
#teamLamb
But like other parents, I've been concerned on how isolation and physical distancing from their friends will affect them in the long term.
How will they talk to their own children about this experience?
Will they remember their mum on the computer, or the movies we've watched and board games we've played on the weekends? (yes, the teenagers still like board games).
Is this affecting them on a level I can't see?
Grades may have improved and they appear to enjoy the quiet to concentrate on work without distractions.
Their teachers should be commended for the incredible work to create virtual classrooms in such a short turnaround!
And then, my daughter at 12 years old, won a writing competition last week with a poem about her reaction to isolation:
Some days you want to bury yourself in sorrows,
but remember noone promised those tomorrows.
Get up out of bed, and raise your head,
towards the sky,
you know why?
Cause there’s an awesome world out there.
So brush your hair, and clean your teeth.
There’s beauty underneath.
You need to show it,
and sooner or later you’ll know it.
Up, go outside and start the day,
and blow us all away.
Breathe out. They're doing fine.
On LinkedIn or blogs, we don't often write about our families. It's been a subject more for our personal socials. Not appropriate for the career environment.
But Covid-19 appears to have changed that.
The line between the work and home environment is now blurred.
Communication is open. Children and families no longer need to be held separate to the workplace.
And for me, that is one positive of isolation.
That is what I will tell my grandchildren about.
Covid-19 was a time when families became accepted in the workplace.
Breathe out.
And for those that are experiencing isolation without family in your home - there's always a virtual seat at our dinner table.
And now, during isolation, they've been witness to another side of my work.The many meetings talking and supporting my teams via the screen.They've jumped into calls to introduce themselves.They've brought me coffee.They've made dinner at night.We are in this together.#teamLambBut like other parents, I've been concerned on how isolation and physical distancing from their friends will affect them in the long term.How will they talk to their own children about this experience?Will they remember their mum on the computer, or the movies we've watched and board games we've played on the weekends? (yes, the teenagers still like board games).Is this affecting them on a level I can't see?Grades may have improved and they appear to enjoy the quiet to concentrate on work without distractions.Their teachers should be commended for the incredible work to create virtual classrooms in such a short turnaround!And then, my daughter at 12 years old, won a writing competition last week with a poem about her reaction to isolation:Some days you want to bury yourself in sorrows,but remember noone promised those tomorrows.Get up out of bed, and raise your head,towards the sky,you know why?Cause there’s an awesome world out there.So brush your hair, and clean your teeth.There’s beauty underneath.You need to show it,and sooner or later you’ll know it.Up, go outside and start the day,and blow us all away.Breathe out. They're doing fine.On LinkedIn or blogs, we don't often write about our families. It's been a subject more for our personal socials. Not appropriate for the career environment.But Covid-19 appears to have changed that.The line between the work and home environment is now blurred.Communication is open. Children and families no longer need to be held separate to the workplace.And for me, that is one positive of isolation.That is what I will tell my grandchildren about.Covid-19 was a time when families became accepted in the workplace.Breathe out.And for those that are experiencing isolation without family in your home - there's always a virtual seat at our dinner table.All welcome.
