DING! My phone buzzes with a notification, but it’s drowned out by the sounds of my kids’ animated TV show and the rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the keyboard. I’m acutely aware that my to-do list is a mile long, yet I realistically only have time to tackle a few tasks before the school bus brings home my 12 and 13-year-olds. After that, it’s a whirlwind of homework, dinner prep, baths, bedtime routines, and refereeing various squabbles among the children. If I’m fortunate and stay focused, I might even manage to enjoy a hot meal and a quick hug or kiss from my husband when he returns from his job.
“Mommy, do you need to check your emails?” chirps my delightful four-year-old, eyes wide with curiosity. Bless his heart; he’s probably more tech-savvy than most adults I know, given how often he hears those notifications. If only he could respond to them!
When I first decided to work from home, I thought it was the best decision ever. “What’s not to love?” I mused naively three years ago. This way, I could pursue a career I adore, earn a paycheck, stay home with my little ones, set my own schedule, and be available when they needed me—all while keeping my resume active and cherishing every moment with my kids. It seemed like the ideal arrangement.
Let me be clear: working from home is undeniably wonderful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. I cherish my children, my work, and our life together.
However, I need to share the reality behind the charm… I’m working from home with a four-year-old by my side. For anyone who has spent time with toddlers or preschoolers while attempting to focus on something unrelated to them, you’ll understand my struggle.
In the beginning, I tried to create a home office in the spare room. “YES!” I thought. “This will be perfect—away from distractions, where I can truly concentrate.” That plan lasted about a month. I quickly realized that I couldn’t carve out more than 30 minutes without interruptions, and accomplishing meaningful work in that short time was nearly impossible. I was unwilling to leave my toddler unsupervised for even a few minutes, let alone extended periods. I thought I could work during naptimes or while he played or watched TV, but here’s the reality check: naps don’t last forever, and neither does quiet playtime. I soon found myself working intermittently throughout the day, blending work with time spent with my little one and household chores, hoping to save the bulk of my work for after bedtime.
Fast forward to now: I haven’t had a proper date with my pillow before 2 or 3 a.m. in over a year, often staying up until 4 a.m. or later. My life runs on caffeine and a mix of Google Docs. I can’t remember the last time I had a few uninterrupted moments to unwind in bed, as my husband needs to rise early for his traditional job. We do get sitters and enjoy date nights, but I long for those quiet moments together at the end of the day, rather than waking up alone while the world outside is bustling.
Let’s not forget the well-meaning friends, family, and neighbors who equate working from home with having endless leisure time. Some classic lines I often hear include: “What do you do all day?” “Why are you up so late?” “Can’t you just do that tomorrow?” “If I were home all the time, my house would be spotless!” or “I wish I could sleep in as late as you!” Sure, I’ll concede that working in my pajamas is a perk. My kids often ask why I’m dressing up when I’m just going to be at home. I explain I have a video conference and prefer not to look like I just rolled out of bed.
Working from home isn’t a euphemism for lounging around while collecting a paycheck. If I want to earn a living, I have to put in real effort and produce tangible results, just like anyone else at a traditional job. Just because I don’t commute to an office or punch a clock doesn’t diminish my contributions to society. My sleep schedule may not align with the norm, but that doesn’t lessen my productivity (and no one seems to criticize night shift workers for their hours).
I could elaborate endlessly, but the bottom line is that while this setup appears to offer the best of both worlds, I constantly feel like I’m falling short somewhere—juggling too many responsibilities simultaneously. I struggle to devote full attention to my child when work calls, and I can’t dive into work when my little one needs me. Both demands often collide when the dryer beeps, reminding me that clean towels are essential for bath time! I’m perpetually on the clock. Despite the chaos, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I thrive amid the whirlwind and honestly wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I ever had genuine downtime.
Oh, wait. I do know. It’s called sleep—sweet, sweet sleep, which I’m sure I’ll indulge in someday. But for now, dawn is approaching, and it’s time to wake everyone up for work and school, get breakfast started, and toss in some laundry before I finally call it a night… or morning. Either way, it’s all in a day’s work.
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Summary
Working from home can appear idyllic, blending career with family life. However, the reality is a daily balancing act of responsibilities, juggling work tasks with the demands of young children. Despite the challenges, many find fulfillment in this chaotic lifestyle, thriving in the hustle while often longing for a bit more sleep.