Being a Work-from-Home Dad/CMO With a Newborn Teammate: Survival Guide
Rise and grind! It's 5 a.m., and while most sane individuals are still sleeping comfortably in their beds, I, the WFH Dad / Chief Marketing Officer, am already in the middle of my morning routine.
And by 'routine,' I mean a chaotic blend of spreadsheets, strategy meetings, diaper changes, and the occasional spit-up.
Welcome to my world fellow brave souls, where marketing KPIs meet baby ABCs, and the caffeine is always flowing.
5:00 a.m. – Morning Mayhem
We get woken up by our little one around 5 am. Who needs an alarm when you've got a baby with perfect timing?
We get him up, feed him a bottle, and try to put him back to sleep (usually unsuccessfully). After accepting we are awake for the day by 6 am, I eat a power breakfast (if you can call scarfing down a protein bar in 30 seconds, 'power breakfast').
8:00 a.m. – The Never-Ending To-Do List
Once the wife leaves for work, it's time to review my to-do list while playing with the little guy, which is about as stable as a house of cards on a windy day. While I'm building marketing campaigns or scheduling a product feature launch, my baby is busy climbing all over me wrestling me like it's a "Hell in a Cell" cage match. I've learned that multitasking takes on a new meaning when your co-workers are under three feet tall and have a penchant for shiny, noisy objects (i.e. phones and computer screens).
9:30 a.m. – The Nap Dash Before Daily Calls
Arguably the most chaotic part of my day is the morning nap. It's typically a mad dash to put him to sleep before daily calls begin, lead meetings then complete as many tasks as possible before the little guy wakes up. If I feel adventurous, this usually involves a flurry of emails, project updates, and a quick shower if there's time (spoiler: there is rarely shower time).
11:30 p.m. – The Lunchtime Lull
Lunchtime rolls around, and I've mastered the art of eating with one hand while soothing a fussy baby with the other. The ability to balance a sandwich, a marketing plan, and a bouncing baby should be a particular skill set listed on LinkedIn. After lunch break playtime, it's back to the grind while occupying the toddler.
2:00 p.m. – Conference Call Circus
By now, it's time for the afternoon conference calls. I've become quite adept at the 'mute-unmute' tango. One moment I'm discussing our latest campaign; the next, I'm cooing at my little one to stave off a meltdown.
Pro tip: Always have hockey pucks on hand to keep him busy with something in his hands that he can gnaw on safely.
4:00 p.m. – The Final Stretch
The end of the workday is in sight before the wife gets home, but there are still tasks to complete. I power through with a baby monitor in one hand and a report in the other. The baby is teething, and the team is seeking feedback. I'm still determining who requires more attention at this point. I sprint to make the house look acceptable and prep dinner. Then enjoy the nighttime routine with the three of us.
9:00 p.m. – Bedtime and Late Night Grind
Finally, the baby is back asleep for the night - hopefully. The baby is happily babbling in his crib, and I'm left marveling at how I managed to get through the day. I spend some time with my wife, then when she sleeps I go back to work to hammer out deep work projects while the house is quiet. I'll get sleep one day, just not today.
I'm a full-time CMO and Dad. It's messy, it's chaotic, but it's also unbelievably rewarding.
So, here's to all the working parents navigating the double challenge of working from home and raising kids. May your coffee be strong, your Wi-Fi be reliable, and your baby's naps be long.