Key takeaways:

  • Work-Life Balance Challenges: Managing work and family during lockdown was extremely difficult, especially for working parents with young children.
  • Increased Workload: The Atterbury Asset Management team faced relentless work demands, balancing regular business challenges with new Covid-19-related obstacles.
  • Parenting Struggles: Juggling toddlers, pregnancy, and remote work highlighted the difficulties of being both a parent and a professional at home.
  • Appreciation for Teachers: The experience reinforced admiration for teachers, emphasizing their patience and dedication to children’s learning and development.
  • Missed Workplace Interaction: The absence of in-person office collaboration made remote communication harder, increasing the longing for normal work life and social connections.

As part of our current series on #lifeinlockdown we asked Atterbury Asset Manager Adelene van der Westhuizen to share her experiences with us: “Covid-19 is definitely a period I never want to repeat. As for people having a great bonding time with family at home; this was not the case for the Atterbury Asset Management team. We have worked 24/7 trying to balance the already usual crazy times in April and May with the new added challenges of Covid-19.

Lockdown overall was a challenge for me, trying to balance 2 small toddlers (while being pregnant with #3), hubby being an essential worker not at home and having Zoom meetings with the toddlers either waving in the background on the better days or arguing about a toy they do not want to share. This made meetings quite interesting and all participants had to grin now and then, as many households experienced similar challenges and fun.


Lockdown has reminded me why I’m not a stay at home mom. I love my kids dearly, but I definitely don’t have the patience our wonderful teachers have with them – teaching, playing and loving them. In my opinion, the lockdown was an even more challenging time for our children than for us adults.


I’m missing the interaction with colleagues and the immediate assistance one gets from a colleague right next to you rather than trying to explain yourself via a Zoom meeting, email or phone call. I am definitely looking forward to getting back to normal work in the office and socialising in the process with all my colleagues and friends.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Adelene and her team adapt their work routine during the COVID-19 lockdown?

Adelene and the Atterbury team transitioned to working from home, utilizing digital tools like Zoom and WhatsApp to maintain constant communication and business operations.

What was the primary focus for the Atterbury Trust during this challenging period?

The Atterbury Trust focused on supporting their bursary students and coordinating relief efforts to assist those most affected by the economic impact of the pandemic.

How did Adelene manage to maintain a positive and productive mindset while in lockdown?

She embraced a structured daily routine that balanced professional responsibilities with personal well-being and family time to stay motivated.