Wfhm with small children

[littleraysofsunshine]

How do you manage your time?

[worldgonecrazy]

If I work from home, DD goes to her grandparents. I don't think it is possible to concentrate fully on work whilst there is a small child around. My work colleagues also feel the same way, and working from home is only done if there are childcare arrangements in place.

Of course, we're a bit more flexible with sick children, but for planned working from home, children and computers don't mix.

[Contraryish]

I agree. I tried this when my children were very young and it didn't work. Unless you can restrict your working hours to times when your child is asleep, childcare is probably the only option!

[dogrilla]

When my son was smaller and still slept for a couple of hours after lunch I managed to fit in four hours of work a day (inc weekends). Business was ticking over nicely and I was prob quite smug about managing. Now I have two kids, there is just no way I can work in the day. Sitting down to computer at 8pm after bath and bedtime is really not conducive to accurate work either. Childcare is the only way round it, but is expensive. Roll on both kids at school...

[Kewcumber]

I don't. Now DS is * I can get away with sorting something urgent out but certainly not when he was smaller and even now its really an hour max.

[Talkinpeace]

it depends
I have never had family support and when they were small did not earn enough to pay child care
so I worked when they were asleep
I even marked a batch of exams while doing a breast feed
you just cope
and they grow up all too fast

[Suzietwo]

I have worked more or less f/t with a baby (breastfeeding while typing one handed blah blah) but when the baby hit around 4-5 months they needed much more stimulation. At which point I use child care. I couldn't work at home while looking after them and need the flexibility of being able to see and talk to current and potential clients during working hours. But my income pays the bills.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

I work from home (online) with a 2.5 year old running about. It is not ideal, I don't get much done TBH.

We are looking at childcare PT as we speak!

[rallytog1]

I've done some very light freelance work from home with a 2mo. I just had to be organised and fit it and her naps or do it in the evenings.

Going back full time in 2 weeks, when she will be 9mo. At this point she'll be going to nursery, as I don't think it's fair to her, me or my clients to try to do work and childcare at the same time.

[HaroldTheGoat]

Childcare is really essential. I have one day a week it's all I can afford..

[whatsagoodusername]

I work in the evenings and weekends I used to do naptimes, but DS1 doesn't anymore. Most of my work is easier to do in the evenings anyway when there's been a good build up through the day and plenty for me to return to my colleagues by morning. Close to deadlines it gets difficult and the DC are left to their own devices for part of the day while I get on with it.

I am constantly on call though for urgent things that come up during the day and constantly check my email for things requiring attention quickly, which can be quite wearing. I am looking forward to both DC being in nursery in a few months so I get some daytime time to work and do less in the evening so I can talk to DH.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

I can only work e when ds us in childcare or sleeping. He still has a2 hour nap though.

I hope that having a primarily hole-working business will pay off as he approaches 10 and I can meet him from school, have a snack together then give him a bit more space for a couple of hours. Basically be around but generally be beavering away.

[gladbags]

I work from home, and the DC go to nursery.

[3bunnies]

For 7yrs I worked evenings and weekends. I occasionally managed a bit during the day when one of them slept. I was only doing 6hrs/week. Now youngest is 4 and occasionally when they are all playing together upstairs I manage a bit of work. The main time I work though is when they are at school and nursery. I heartily recommend childcare!

[GColdtimer]

Ditto everyone else. Childcare is essential I'm afraid. Otherwise you feel like you are doing a crap job all round.

[VelvetStrider]

It's possible to do a lot of things with children around. Not stuff that involves accurate thinking or talking to clients or having a lot of papers or fiddly orders around. But marketing, putting updates on Facebook and Twitter, sending emails, editing product photos and your website, jotting down ideas for new products, researching online, writing invoices, that sort of thing is perfectly possible with youngsters about. You have to train them to entertain themselves young!

[GColdtimer]

Have to disagree there velvet. I do a lot of that in my job and the quality of my work dips if the children are around. I don't think it fair to my clients. I do PR and sometimes I have to talk to journalists with the children around as they call outside normal office hours but if I tried to write a press release, forc example with the constant interruptions you get from a 2 year old it would take me all morning. Or if I tried to post social media updates whilst breaking up a sisterly fight I would bound to make a mistake. You just can't concentrate in the same way.

[ginzillas]

I thought I could work whilst looking after my young child I was so wrong and got stupidly stressed and felt guilty all the time. If you can't even nip to the loo without small child crying or following you, how can you write a coherent email? And forget making a phone call!
Dd now goes to a fab childminder two days a week and I cram in as much as possible in that time. I also work during her naptimes and during evenings and weekends. Doesn't leave much spare time and my house could be tidier but the routine is working so far....

[freelancenewbie]

I'm exactly the same as ginzillas - absolutely crucial for me to have childcare. Two short days a week childminder & Dd has also just started 2 short pre-school sessions. The stress levels involved in trying to focus on work with toddlers/pre-schoolers around is immense. I just can't do it.

[FitzgeraldProtagonist]

I have child care for a lot of the time but there are still times I need to work in the evenings, weekends, mornings etc. I get up v early to get in a couple of hours before they wake. On deadline mornings, they have to entertain themselves. They will quietly play playdoh, colour, ipad, breakfast, watch tv, play with each other relatively well if need be but not fair for any extended period of time.

[Hoppinggreen]

I only worked while mine were in childcare or in bed or Hubby was here.
Now they are at school I only do 9-3 and after 8 unless Hubby can take charge.