Your cart is currently empty!
The Joys of Working from Home
DING! It’s a challenge to figure out which notification just chimed on my phone, drowned out by the sounds of “Math Monsters” and the click-clack of my fingers on the keyboard. All I know is I have a mountain of tasks ahead of me, but time is limited; I only have a brief window before the bus arrives with my 12- and 13-year-olds. Once they’re home, it’s a whirlwind of homework, dinner prep, bath time, and the inevitable refereeing that comes with parenting. If I’m fortunate (and focused enough), I might even manage to eat something warm and steal a hug or kiss from my husband when he returns from his day at the office.
“Mommy, do you need to check your emails?” sings my adorable four-year-old, eyes wide with curiosity. Bless him. He probably understands notifications on an iPhone better than most adults I know. If only he could handle replying to them!
When I initially decided to work from home, I thought it was the best decision ever. “What’s not to love?” I mused to my blissfully naive self three years ago. I could pursue a career I adore, earn a paycheck, stay home with my little ones, set my own hours, and remain accessible when they needed me—all while keeping my resume fresh. It seemed like the perfect arrangement!
Let me be clear: working from home is genuinely fantastic, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. I cherish my children, my job, and our life together. Yet, it’s not all sunshine and roses…
I work from home with a four-year-old. If you’ve ever tried to accomplish anything work-related while entertaining a toddler, you’ll understand the struggle.
In the beginning, I attempted to create a home office in a spare bedroom. “Yes!” I thought. “I’ll escape the TV and the kids to find peace and focus on my work.” That plan lasted about a month. No matter how hard I tried, I could never carve out more than half an hour to work without something demanding my attention. I didn’t want my toddler unsupervised for even a few minutes, let alone for longer stretches! So, I figured I’d work during his naps, playtime, or while he watched TV. Spoiler alert: toddlers don’t nap forever, nor do they play by themselves indefinitely. And as much as I’d like to, I can’t allow endless TV time. Eventually, I decided to work sporadically during the day while engaging with my little one, tackling household chores, and dedicating evenings to family time, with the bulk of my work done after bedtime.
Fast forward to now: I haven’t had a rendezvous with my pillow before 2 or 3 a.m. in over a year, and it’s often closer to 4 a.m. I survive on caffeine, nicotine, and Google Drive. I can’t recall the last time I spent a significant amount of time in bed, doing laundry, because my husband has to rise early for his “real” job. We do have sitters and date nights, but I miss the simple comfort of falling asleep next to him instead of alone each morning as the world wakes up.
Need I mention the friends, family, and neighbors who equate working from home with having endless free time? I’ve received some enlightening questions like: “What do you do all day?” “Why do you stay up so late?” “Can’t you just do it tomorrow?” “My house would be spotless if I were home all the time!” “I wish I could sleep in as much as you!” “Must be nice to work in your pajamas!” Okay, I’ll concede: working in pajamas is a definite perk. My kids often ask why I’m dressing up for video calls, and I have to explain that I don’t want to look like a “before” picture in a makeover show.
Working from home isn’t a clever code for lounging around with kids while collecting a salary. To earn money, I have to produce real work, just like anyone in a traditional job. I put in real effort and time, and just because I don’t commute to an office doesn’t mean I’m not a contributing member of the workforce. And my unconventional sleeping hours don’t detract from that either. I work when I work and sleep when I sleep, similar to anyone else; it just happens to fall outside normal hours.
While it may seem like I’m living the dream, I often feel like I’m failing at something. I can’t give my full attention to my child because work is demanding, and I can’t focus on work because my child needs me. It’s a constant balancing act, and I’m always on the clock. However, despite the chaos, I wouldn’t change a thing. I thrive on the whirlwind of my life and wouldn’t know what to do with myself in true downtime.
Oh, wait. Yes, I would. It’s called sleep—a luxury I barely remember. But for now, it’s nearly dawn, and it’s time to wake everyone for work and school, start breakfast, and toss in a load of laundry before I finally call it a night. Or is it morning? Whatever.
For more insights into the journey of home life and parenting, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination, and visit Make a Mom for authoritative information on the subject.
In conclusion, while the joys and challenges of working from home can be overwhelming, the rewards of this lifestyle make it all worthwhile.