Meet Shequetta: Administrative office technician, mom of a 4-month-old

“Prep the night before. For example, my baby is 4 months, so I have her bottles/food portioned and the diaper bag is packed as if she was still going to the sitter (extra outfit, bibs, diapers, wipes, etc.). This way I don’t have to run around the house for much of anything, it’s all right at my fingertips.”

Shequetta Gatling, administrative office technician

• What do you do at HACC?
  I assist students with scheduling and connecting with their advisors. I also assist the Counseling and Advising Department with anything that is needed.
   
• How old are your children?
  4 months old
   
• How are you effectively juggling your professional duties and your personal duties of having your children at home while you work?
  I am effectively juggling my professional duties and my personal duties of having a child at home while I work by just doing it because it is something that must be done. You always have to be somewhat prepared for the unexpected and be able to go with the flow. Working from home without any childcare is something that I have just been juggling. Honestly, somedays I don’t even know how I do it, hence my phrase of “just doing it because it must be done.” I personally feel that a woman is the foundation of a household and we are able to adjust to almost anything, especially when it’s a must.
   
• What tips (things to do and things to not do) would you offer to other parents who are struggling with this?
  Tips that I would offer to other parents who are struggling with this would be:
  • Stick to your and your child’s normal schedule as much as possible
  • Prep the night before. For example, my baby is 4 months old, so I have her bottles/food portioned and the diaper bag is packed as if she was still going to the sitter (extra outfit, bibs, diapers, wipes etc.). This way I don’t have to run around the house for much of anything, it’s all right at my fingertips.
  • Have something fun that can keep them occupied when needed. We use an activity mat/gym.
  • Include your child in your daily work activities if you can – for example, my baby loves to “help me work,” so I have a little chair that can sit beside me with toys on it and it turns into a feeding chair.
  • Use your lunch break as play time. This works for us because my baby loves attention and to talk, so when I give her my undivided attention for that hour, she usually will then play alone when I need her to. (That’s when she cooperates, of course.)
     
• Is there anything else you would like to share that we did not ask?
  You will be frustrated, especially if you have a needy little one like myself, but don’t take it out on the baby. Always remember your child feeds off of your energy, so if you are feeling overwhelmed and frustrated so will your baby. Reach out to your boss, take a step away and breathe.