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Working Moms
If you work from home...
My boss and I have talked about me possibly working from home after #2 arrives. I have a lot of details to work out so I was looking for some feedback from other moms.
1. What are your childcare arrangements?
2. Best part of working from home?
3. Any disadvantages?
Thanks!
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Re: If you work from home...
1. My DS goes to daycare but when I first started working from home, I had a nanny. it was nice so that i could still BF and spend time with him as I took breaks. It got difficult as he got older and louder and understood I was in the house.
2. Best part - doing laundry and other small house stuff on my breaks. Not having to pack a lunch and snacks.
3. Disadvantage - You have to be really disciplined. People call me all hours regarding work because they know I'll be available.
I only work from home on Mondays
DS stays at home with me and I take care of him while I work. I have an extremely laid back job that allows me to take care of him while still getting work done.
Best part:having time with my son, getting laundry/dishes done, seeing DH on his lunch break (I dont get a lunch break during the week so I never see him during the day)
Disadvantages: I know that DS being in day care is going to be very good for him, and theres a part of me that feels guilty for keeping him home with me.
I grew up in NNJ and went to FDU so hello!
1. We use an in home day care provider (at her home). We are on waitlist for a center. Truly you need the same type of day care as if you were going into an office. I hope this doesn't come off wrong but anyone who can do their full time job and watch their kids either doesn't have a demanding job or they put their kids in a sleep coma. I also couldn't do a nanny b/c it would be too difficult for me to stay focused.
2. A wardrobe that isn't as professional as it would need to be if I was working in an office, although I do still shower and dress before work. Not having to pack a lunch, DH also comes home for lunch so that is nice. I do use my lunch to throw in a load of laundry, but really refrain from more than that otherwise you lose focus. My dogs really like it too!
3. You def have to be disciplined and focused. My job is data so it is black and white with deadlines, etc. and I am blessed to have had many years experience so I was in a great position to go remote. I miss contact with other people. This is tough. You need to be sure you have other adult stimulation around. I finally set up a lunch date once a week with a neighbor. I'll admit it, I talk out loud to myself sometimes. Oh, i do think our utility bill went up when I started working remotely (mostly from heat and AC) just due to me being here, but my employer pays for my internet so it's a wash.
ETA, in terms of disadvantages, I am very well established in my job and yet I am still always worried about out of site, out of mind and job security. We have had cutbacks and layoffs and while I feel good about the service I provide and I am the only one doing it, I still never feel like I am irreplaceable. If I was in a different role I think this would worry me even more. You need to make sure you are constantly interacting with people in the office and making your prescence known so that you aren't forgotten about or that the remote working doesn't impact your image. I make sure I pick up the phone or email folks regularly, more than I would if I was in the office to be sure of this.
1. My daughter goes to 1st grade so she's here with me until she gets on the bus at 8:45 and then comes home at 4:00. My son goes to an in home daycare.
2. The best part is no commute, no before and after school care costs. I can also keep my daughter home with me if she's sick and still get work done (my son is another story - I have to take a day off with him).
3. It can get lonely at times. But, I'm an introvert by nature and tend to be a homebody so it works out well for me. I try to schedule a lunch with friends about once a month.
My company has a formal telecommuting policy that I take advantage of. Most of my coworkers are in other cities so my working outside the office isn't such a big deal for my job.
1. We have a full time nanny. I love being able to see my kids during the day and not having to worry about drop off/pick up, packing lunches, etc. at daycare. We've recently started my DD at preschool 2 days a week so we have a little of that but it is pretty easy since I don't have to get out the door to an office. Once I go back from mat leave I am also hoping to BF my son as much as possible during the day.
2. I LOVE no commute, which equals sleeping later for me (at least till my DS came along it did!). I also love not having to get all dressed up and wear makeup and all that for an office. I admit; some days I work all morning in PJs and jump in the shower over lunchtime. I love being able to see the kids, and even though my DD is older now (2.5) and knows I'm there, she is aware I am working and does not bother me most of the time. My nanny knows that if I shut my office door that I am busy and she keeps her away, and if I am able to have a "visit" from her I will leave the door open. Most of my job involves conference calls so other than when I am on the phone I am usually able to afford a few minutes here and there to visit with my DD. And being able to walk downstairs at the end of the day and go right back into mommy mode is great, it means I get a good solid few hours with the kids before bedtime that I might not have if I had a commute. I also enjoy being able to make lunch in my own kitchen or run out to pick something up if I want. Before my kids were born, I liked being able to work late if needed without worrying about traffic, commute, etc. I could get dinner started and keep right on working till DH got home and I got a lot done that way. Now with kids I have to work after they are in bed at night. Lastly, I find it easier to really focus when I need to because there is no one to drop by my desk unexpectedly and distract me.
3. As you may be able to tell, I really LOVE working at home. I've done it for about 5 years now and I really never want to give it up, so I don't really have too many disadvantages. I'd say the main ones for me are being outside the main office for my group I am left out of water cooler conversations and so sometimes out of the loop. But I've been with this company for 12 years and have a lot of good contacts as well as a pretty solidly established position in my group, so I have good sources to keep up to speed on things. If I were not as senior in my group I might be more bothered by not being on the front lines for that informal communication. And you definitely miss out on the more social aspects of work with going out to lunch or having social conversations during the day with your co-workers, but that was just not as big a priority for me and I don't miss it that much anymore.
1. The first year I started WFH, DD was in a center. Then when #2 arrived, we switched to a nanny.
2. No commute, no getting dressed up, being able to take care of "home" or personal stuff easier over lunch or on a quick break. I spend less in food since I eat at home vs going out.
3. Disadvantages - well, with a nanny, there are times when it's distracting outside my office, but overall, the kids get used to it. Sometimes I intentionally have to time coming out of my office when they are at the park or during nap/quiet time to minimize them wanting mama. Sometimes it is hard to "turn off" from work. I found it easier to "turn off" when I had to physically shut my laptop and commute vs just getting up from my desk and walking downstairs.
Overall I love WFH and feel very blessed to be able to do so, but like others have said you have to be organized and diligent :-)
I work remotely M-W-F and go into the office T/R.
1. What are your childcare arrangements? My MIL watches DS M-F.. three of those days I'm with her. So I go to her house three days a week. Sometimes... if it's going to be a slow day I may stay home and have my MIL come over for just a few hours mid-day. Those are the best days - I love to be HOME!
2. Best part of working from home? I can nurse my son and not have to worry about pumping. AND I love to hear his giggles from the other room while I'm working.
3. Any disadvantages? Hearing his giggles from the other room while I'm working and not being the one making him laugh!
Hi there! I started working from home about 2 months ago....
DD goes to full time daycare as she did before and baby #2 will be joining her as there is no other way, I would get NOTHING done!
Best things- love being able to throw hair in ponytail and put on sweats and work, listen to my own music, set up my day, walk my dog at lunch, throw in some laundry etc...
Disadvantages- like everyone said, it is hard to stay focused (I am on the bump right now!) my boss expects me to work into the night if we are busy and on weekends....
Overall, I love it but it is a challenge! Hope that helps!
Hi
Nope I totally understand that. I had to post and run bc I can only get on the computer when she's napping (I currently work PT and today's my day off).
Thanks again to everyone for your answers! Being lonely/disconnected was one of my concerns, I'm hoping to pop into the office once a week or so just to catch up, interact with adults.