DING! Amid the lively sounds of “Math Monsters” and the rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the keyboard, it’s tough to discern which notification just pinged on my phone. All I know is that I have a seemingly endless to-do list, and only a few hours before the evening bus brings my 12 and 13-year-olds home. Then, it’s straight into homework, dinner preparations, bath time, and bedtime—complete with a fair share of sibling squabbles to referee. If I’m fortunate, I might even manage to have a warm meal and steal a hug or a kiss from my husband when he returns from his day at work.
“Momma, do you need to check your emails?” chirps my adorable four-year-old, his eyes wide with curiosity. Bless him; he likely knows more about iPhone notifications than many adults I know. If only he could respond to them too!
When I made the decision to work from home, I thought it was the best idea ever. “What’s not to love?” my naive self mused three years ago. I could pursue a job I enjoyed, earn a paycheck, be present for my kids, set my own hours, and avoid the stagnation of my resume—all while cherishing these fleeting years with my little ones. It seemed like the perfect arrangement!
Now, let me clarify: working from home is largely wonderful, and I wouldn’t trade a moment of it for anything. I feel incredibly fortunate to balance my career and family life. However, it’s essential to acknowledge the less-than-perfect aspects…
I am working from home with a four-year-old. If you’ve ever tried to accomplish tasks unrelated to children while navigating the whims of a toddler, you understand my predicament.
In the beginning, I attempted to create a home office in the spare bedroom. “YES!” I thought. “This will provide me with the peace and privacy I need to be productive.” That plan lasted about a month. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t carve out more than 30 minutes without being interrupted, and let’s face it, meaningful work can’t be accomplished in just half an hour. I was reluctant to leave my toddler unsupervised for even ten minutes, let alone for an hour. I figured I could work during his nap times or while he played or watched TV. Spoiler alert: naps don’t last forever, and neither does independent playtime.
Eventually, I resolved to work sporadically throughout the day, engaging with my little one and managing household chores, reserving quality time for my family in the evenings. Real work would be tackled late at night after the kids were asleep.
Fast forward to today, and I haven’t had a proper encounter with my pillow before 2 or 3 am in over a year—often it’s closer to 4 am. Caffeine and nicotine fuel my existence as I juggle Google Drive and giggles. I can’t recall the last time I settled into bed at a reasonable hour, especially since my husband rises early for his “real” job. We occasionally have date nights and hire sitters, but I truly miss the simplicity of going to bed together. It’s comforting to not face the dawn alone while everyone else gears up for their day.
And let’s not even start on the misconceptions held by friends, family, and neighbors who equate working from home with having endless free time. Here are a few gems I’ve encountered:
- “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!”
- “I wish I could sleep in as long as I wanted!”
- “It must be nice to work in your pajamas!”
I’ll admit, working in pajamas is a definite perk. But working from home is not a euphemism for lounging around while collecting a paycheck. If you want to earn money, real work must be done, just as it would in a traditional job. I produce legitimate work, receive compensation, and it requires genuine effort and time. The absence of a commute does not diminish my status as a productive member of society. My unconventional sleep hours shouldn’t invalidate my work ethic either—do we say the same about night shift workers?
In summary, while working from home can appear to offer the best of both worlds, it often feels like I’m failing to balance everything. I struggle to give my child the attention he needs because work is pressing, and vice versa. Both require attention, especially when the dryer buzzes, reminding me of the never-ending chores. I’m always on the clock. Yet, despite this chaos, I wouldn’t change a thing; I thrive on it.
Oh, wait. Yes, I would change one thing: sleep. That elusive treasure, which somewhat resembles heaven, reminds me of cotton candy. I’ll get to it eventually, but for now, it’s nearly dawn—time to wake everyone for breakfast and start laundry before I call it a night. Or is it morning? Who knows!
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Summary:
Working from home presents both benefits and challenges, particularly for parents managing young children. While the flexibility can be advantageous, it often leads to a struggle to balance professional responsibilities with family needs, resulting in long hours and less sleep. Despite the chaos, many find fulfillment in this demanding lifestyle.
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