Working at home with baby

emmy236 · September 2013

I work from home 90% of the time but also work weird hours due to partners in different countries and time zones. I had looked into a nanny share or a mothers helper. Since most of my deadlines are in the afternoon I was going to have someone come then and watch DS while I played catch up. These people could also help with cleaning/laundry if DS was napping or I could watch him to give me time to run an errand.

Another thing is make sure you're partner is aware you're going to be mildly psychotic for awhile. It's exhausting both emotionally and physically doing this with minimal or no help and MH was used to a wife who always had a stocked fridge, laundry done, house semi clean and now he comes home to mess, if he wants something for dinner that I don't have the ingredients for he actually had to go to other isles in the supermarket other than the beer/wine one and he has to help out a lot more. He's a great husband but it was easier just the two of us and working from home it was easy to keep up on things, now all bets are off.

legalbeagle1 · September 2013

I work from home one day a week and I swear it can be less relaxing than being at the office in a lot of ways. At the office I'll go out for lunch, chat in a coworker's office, grab a coffee, but at home I feel guilty for getting more water or going to the bathroom! I am on the phone a lot for my job and don't want my clients to think that I'm not working on the day I am at home. I have only been doing this for two months so still getting used to it. I actually might not work from home anymore if i keep feeling this way! My nanny comes five days a week -- just arrives later and leaves earlier because I don't have to commute.

Also I honestly feel better having a nanny or sending my kid to daycare than having a friend watch my son with her own child around the same age. I think it is only natural that she will respond to her child's needs first. Just something to think about and monitor.

laurakaz13 · September 2013

bearsbearsbears said:

abyers05 said:

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I am a first time mom so some of the rude comments I think were unnecessary, but it has opened my eyes and made me rearrange my days in the office and ask for help in my home on the days that I work from home. It was going to be a challenge, and maybe it's not possible, but I was willing to give it a try. Although some of the comments on here were not friendly, I have to see that it's reality and will do what is best for both my baby and my work commitments. I was not looking for friends, just some suggestions from people that have been or tried this same situation. Thank you again.

No one was rude to you. People gave you their personal experience of being working moms. Honestly, this wasn't even a particularly blunt thread.

You also can't be surprised when the WM were less than pleased when you called bringing a child to daycare dropping them off at a stranger's.

This. OP- You were the only inappropriate and rude one. My DCPs and sitters are some of the closest family friends we have. DD loves them to death. They are far from strangers. Shame on you!

eec129 · September 2013

I used to work from home full time, but am now back in the office. The few times I kept my daughter with me at home (say after a dr. appointment or she wasn't feeling well) were complete hell! I was constantly stressing about her needs plus taking calls and trying to get my work done. Like another poster said, if you really plan to finish your work during "off" hours, be sure your boss is aware of that fact. I was required to work typical hours and then some, so working at home didn't really provide me extra time to be with my LO. Now that I'm back in the office, I actually really enjoy the separation of home and work.

AZ123 · September 2013

Is it that you're scared to leave your child with others? Is it that you don't want to spend the money on childcare or can't afford it? or is it that you want to be with your child a lot?

If you want to save money, it isn't worth it. It isn't worth the stress of it and the risk to underperforming at your job. Finding a job that lets you WFH is rare.

If you're scared to leave your child with others, just realize one day they go to kindergarten. Also, give credit to a lot of strong working moms out there. Once you become comfortable with your decision on who takes care of your child while you work, then you realize that it takes a village to raise a child and all these experienced and loving caregivers help you and your DH raise an amazing kid.

If you want to be with your child, get a nanny or someone in your home so you can breastfeed, play, rock the baby and that time.

My last piece of advice: Focus on the quality, not the quantity. Look at how you can get away from your computer and love up on your baby for a good quality 10 minutes versus all day of being with the baby and going back and forth to the computer and work.

skibunny59 · September 2013

katieh1017 said:

I work for home full time and L goes to DC full time. I couldn't get anything done if she were here. Same when she was an infant.

This. DH works from home every Thursday but I still bring DD to my mom's house on those days. It's impossible to getting any work done when you are also taking care of your kids.

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