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How do you both work from home and take care of the kids?
My boys are 15 years, 11 years, and 4 months. My job is 100% remote. I've been working at this job for two weeks now, and have only put in enough actual work hours for about two days.
* My husband got sick. The baby got sick. Then I got sick.
* The big boys are starting school, so they have open houses and supply and uniform shopping and such.
* My oldest is getting his permit and needs day-time driving practice.
* My father two states away won't take care of himself, so my aunt called adult protective services to help. They need paperwork from next of kin, so I've been running to the notary.
* Back to school dr. appointments
* My in-laws are dealing with stuff, so we get called to their home in the evenings.
How do you actually get work done when you're taking care of an infant? I nurse him, but he doesn't really want to sleep in his crib -- just my arms. My husband pops him into the infant carrier and goes about yardwork and all, but I can't do that for work on the computer.
And how do you get your family to respect that you are actually at work? How do you convince the big kids not to bug you every three minutes while they're home on summer break, or right when they get home from school?
And what do you do with a toddler or a pre-schooler?
What are your best tips, ladies? I'm desperate!!
Edit: My work is task-based and I am getting work done as assigned. I have unlimited PTO, and have taken it appropriately. I am not doing uniform shopping or driving lessons or anything during my work day, but rather, my nights and weekends are devoted to those tasks.
Lunch prep -- great idea
Nanny share -- I have never heard of that and will have to try it
Co-working space sounds amazing
Melissa Negron
13
08/19/19 at 5:04PM UTC
What helped me was getting up early in the morning and getting in full work clothes. Hair, make-up like I was going to the office. Sometimes 2 uniterrupted hours equal 6 at the office. Check for urgent emails and ignore emails for the first hour. And no laundry, dishes, picking up. None of that. And like the other ladies said, hire someone to look after the baby.
Anonymous
08/18/19 at 5:33PM UTC
Telecommuting does not mean multitasking with your daily household needs. Telecommuting involves carving out a separate dedicated time to work. Frankly the excuses you give as examples are things that everyday working moms have to deal with. Sorry to sound harsh but that’s the reality. If you have to get a sitter, get a sitter or work when they’re napping or after they go to sleep.
Anonymous
08/18/19 at 4:54PM UTC
I'm in a very similar situation. I have a 4 month old and was let go from the work I used to be doing right when I was due to go back after maternity leave. I was working semi-remotely but it was a complicated set up that actually would've made it very challenging to keep up breastfeeding (I'll spare the details). I don't know the details of your remote employment.
I am exclusively breastfeeding and I don't want to put my baby girl in daycare. I have found that the best thing for me to do is find project-based work rather than one that requires that I be available during regular working hours. That way I can work whenever I have a moment (i.e. during baby's naps or at night). Ultimately, I may need to get a part time nanny to help me get more done.
I actually am starting a blog based on this journey as I felt really lost during this transition and I'm sure there are other moms like me out there who might want to know what they can do.
I know there are many moms out there that love the opportunity to get back out into the work force but I'm just not one of them. However, I do need income as most of us do :) Being a stay at home mom doesn't have to mean "not working" but the work world is not currently designed in a way that clearly showed that as an option.
Ella MolnarWife, Mother of 3, Nerd
147
08/19/19 at 3:31AM UTC
I would love to read your blog!
Emily PehlGrab a mug - let's chat about life and careers
200
08/19/19 at 5:37PM UTC
I would too
Anonymous
08/21/19 at 6:24PM UTC
That would be great! Its: mamapreneur.blog I will be taking it live on September 1st. If you want to see a reminder, you can follow the page on Instagram or facebook (@mamapreneurblog)
Naomi Leight-Give'on
13
08/17/19 at 10:38PM UTC
This is actually EXACTLY why my husband and I built Wiggle & Work, we are a coworking space with on-site, on-demand child care in Los Angeles and growing to expand rapidly. Parents who want to and have the flexibility to work from home shouldn't need to choose between staying close to their children and advancing their career. Our system is currently set up for families of the 20th century, not 21st century. What we are building service the needs of families like yours, in the 21st century. We hope to be in every city nation wide!
Raquel GarciaTalent Acquisition Leader
35
08/17/19 at 6:15PM UTC
I have worked from home for 12 years. My kids are 9 and 12. They were in daycare full time until they were 6 years old. Once they turned 6, they were in school until 3pm. And then kept themselves occupied until I logged off around 5pm. There is no way I could have worked ft remote with them home all day under 6 years of age.
Gail_MEngineer
58
08/17/19 at 6:01PM UTC
I worked from home when my kids were young 1-2.5 years old. I used to get up around 4-5am work until they woke up and then work during their naps and then work for a few hours after they went to bed around 8pm. Luckily mine was project based and I didn’t need to work only during scheduled work hours though.
IntentionGirl441888
15
08/17/19 at 3:55PM UTC
We found a great nanny share program, our area has limited affordable childcare and if it’s affordable its only available 9-2.
Nanny share picks up and drops off kiddos, they will also prep light snacks for the kids that helps save time.
I start my work day at 5:30 am, take a 30 minute break to get the kids up and out the door (all breakfast and lunches made the night before), take my “lunch break” to get the kids settled in for their afternoon naps when they return and my day ends between 3:30-4. I’m self employed so I block out Tuesday mornings for personal appointments and have 2 people found on care.com for the kids sick days.
Jackie Perez_111Administrative Magician in Office Efficiency!
54
08/17/19 at 3:46PM UTC
I was remote for about 3 years and thought I could do it all and you just can’t, honestly. At some point your well-being will suffer and than burn out begins. It’s not a fun place to be in. I ended up having my cousin watch my then 1 year old four days a week while I worked, and then had the flexibility to be present one day with the kids and house/errands in another.
Ask for help! Voice your concerns and how you want to feel and what you need from your spouse and older kids to make this a happy environment for all. Plan the month out, and then divide and conquer. Take time to prep clothes and/or meals ahead of time, so you can free up more time.
I know it will work out for you, it will just take some time to find that right balance for you.
Eraina FergusonFounder of My Good Life
629
08/17/19 at 2:01PM UTC
Wow, that is a really great question. I would hire someone to come in. We hired a Mother's Helper a few months ago and it works very well.
Kisha Patterson
15
08/17/19 at 1:20PM UTC
I worked from home when my son was between 1 year and 2 1/2 years. A nanny turned out to be the most economical solution. We had a few but generally they showed up around 10 (in theory after morning nap but my son stopped taking them). The best of the lot would take DS out side to play, make him lunch and then weather depending do a strollers walk until he fell asleep and deliver the stroller to the foyer with sleeping toddler. So I paid for about 4 hours of child care between 10-2 and could work thru both naps as well, making a solid 7 hour day.
If it helps, I breast-fed and son spent plenty of hours asleep in my arms while I was typing with only my right hand.
Ella MolnarWife, Mother of 3, Nerd
147
08/19/19 at 3:28AM UTC
So far, I wake at 6, work until he wakes (usually 7:30), feed him while typing one-handed, and he sleeps again until 9:30, 10-ish. I take a break to feed him, play a little, and put him in his playpen around 11 to play with the mobile until he is hungry around 12. I feed us both at the same time, and he will usually sleep until 3 in my arms. Another feeding while typing and then my 11 year old is off the bus and wants his little brother, or back in the playpen until work is done at 4. But I worry about social interactions and how it will work when he's bigger...
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