How does one juggle working from home with a baby?
Readers Question: If I return to work, and my boss is amenable to the idea, how does one juggle working from home with a baby? My baby seems to take up my whole day anyway, so when do I find time to “work” in there as well as look after him? Does it really work when my baby is at an age where he can’t entertain himself?
Answer: Working from home can work when you have children of any age. What it really comes down to is the different abilities of the individual to juggle all the balls in their own lives. We all have different factors in our lives, and working from home is not for everyone. It is hard work and requires some strategies to make it work.
Firstly it is important to discuss your employer’s expectations. Some employers require set hours while others are happy for the work to be completed at a time that suits you so long as it meets a deadline. Discussing your plans with your partner is also important as it will effect them by way of extra housework help, or caring for the children if you work in the evenings etc.
Other considerations are; whether someone can offer childcare, how many hours do you have available to work each week (i.e.: when baby is sleeping, evenings), type of work you would be doing (phone work requires quiet, while being a forum moderator doesn’t have the same necessity).
Ultimately, stay true to yourself and don’t over commit yourself. Develop some strategies to help you in an emergency for example; personally when I am on an important phone call and B2 decides he is going to cry, I open the door to B1′s bedroom and let him play in big brother room for the 5 or 10 minutes I need. It really comes down to what works for you. I hope you gain some clarity about your plans for the future.
Leigh
