Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Good things about wfh

41 replies

SpiderinaWingMirror · 22/02/2021 10:27

I'm not a natural working from home person. I like going into an office.
This morning servers are down so I'm making a list of the positives
So far
Big one, being able to write passwords down in a big book of passwords.
What are yours?

OP posts:
EventuallyDeleted · 22/02/2021 10:30

Being able to go for a walk or run and home for a shower during the day, make up the time afterwards.

Being able to put the telly on at lunchtime or listen to music without earphones.

That's about it. I prefer going to the office too, especially if my DCs are at school.

CP26 · 22/02/2021 10:36

Being able to dress more comfortably.
Not squeezing onto a packed rush hour tube/train twice a day.
Having healthier lunches.

maxelly · 22/02/2021 10:38

No commute is the big one for me, it makes a huge difference to the amount of time I have available for myself/the family (so long as you force yourself to stop work at a reasonable time)

Only having to get properly dressed on the top half Grin ! Can simply have a 'camera malfunction' if having a bad hair/scruffy morning -week-- !

Being able to do local errands and chores around the house at lunchtime/during the day, put a load of laundry on etc. Able to go out for a walk around the local park in the light rather than my only daytime exercise being pacing up the tube escalator or a lovely walk along a busy London street with lorries belching fumes in my face...

Being able to cook a proper lunch rather than having to remember a packed lunch/sweaty sandwiches or end up popping to Pret! Also avoiding the office snack cupboard of doom (easier to control my snacking if I can just not buy the stuff myself as opposed to colleagues constantly bringing in and offering around)

BakingABean123 · 22/02/2021 10:41

Putting the washing machine on when I wake up and emptying it on my lunch break so the clothes don't get smelly.

HeadNorth · 22/02/2021 10:42

No commute!!!

Wrongsideofhistorymyarse · 22/02/2021 10:43

Not having to get up at 6am to get the train to work.

Being able to stick the washing on at lunchtime,

VampireTheBuffetSlayer · 22/02/2021 10:43

Elastic waistbands.

EventuallyDeleted · 22/02/2021 10:44

I don't mind my commute (15 min cross country drive) but I agree about the laundry.

waterandlemonjuice · 22/02/2021 10:45

Wearing sheepskin slippers all day
Walking with DH most lunchtimes
Getting up much later
No driving
Being around to answer questions/ help DC

Woodlandbelle · 22/02/2021 10:47

Mainly hugging my dc throughout the day.
Being able to homeschool (though it is tricky to do all at the one time)

Housework is always done - more time due to no commute and breaks are used

Comfy clothes

Spend less (only go out for essentials no lunches out etc)

Feel safe and cosy at home with my favourite mug and houseplants 😁

Meruem · 22/02/2021 10:47

No commute, absolutely hated getting packed tubes every day.
My own desk and chair, and having nice things on my desk! We had to hot desk at my last office and had lockers to hold our laptops. My mood is very influenced by my environment and I need space that’s “mine” to work well/happily.
Relaxing Sunday’s! Previously I had to make sure everything was done and prepared for the week ahead, knowing that by the time I got home each evening I wouldn’t have the energy to do much. I have so much more time and energy now.

I switched to wfh pre covid. I would never now go back to an office full time again. 3 days is the most I’d be prepared to do, at a push.

waterandlemonjuice · 22/02/2021 10:48

Finishing work and already being home
Being in for deliveries
Being able to log on at 8pm if I remember something I haven’t done
Sometimes fitting in day time sex (if the DC go out for a walk)
Being able to cook and eat supper earlier
Being able to control the temperature
Being able to park, always!

PompomDahlia · 22/02/2021 10:55

No commute! Therefore saving 10 hours a week and a lot of stress.
Control over the heating. I can open windows when I want, have a fan on in the summer, have my blinds open to let in light and not be surrounded by people who want to shut all the light out.
Better quality office furniture.
Can go for a run at lunchtime or if the weather is nice take my lunch outside
Don’t have to spend time packing a bag, sorting Tupperware for lunches.
Eating healthier because there aren’t biscuits and snacks everywhere.
I can put a wash on in the morning and unload it at lunchtime.
When I have horrible period pain I can wear comfy joggers and work on the sofa with my pet next to me.
Finishing work then going straight out for a walk.
So many benefits. I’ve never been healthier than in the last 12 months

waterandlemonjuice · 22/02/2021 10:57

I’m never going back to an office again either

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 22/02/2021 10:57

No commute, not getting frustrated stuck in traffic, not standing on filthy trains crammed in like sardines. It's less tiring, gives me 2 hours a day back, and I love switching off my laptop and Ping! here I am at home. It's like someone inventing a teleporter, and it makes a massive massive improvement to my quality of life.

Decent lunch at a fraction of the cost.

Dealing with a bit of housework or life admin at lunchtime instead of it piling up for the weekends, 10 mins a day makes such a difference.

Going for a walk at lunchtime in daylight.

LookItsMeAgain · 22/02/2021 11:03

I love the commute - from my kitchen to my garden office (about 10 seconds). I used to have to do cross city driving (no decent joined up public transport where I live) and it could take me anything from 40 minutes (on a very good day) to nearly 2 hours (if there was any sort of traffic congestion).
I do miss the banter and the meeting people in the corridor and having a chat but I do not miss the commute.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 22/02/2021 11:24

I do like having nice lunches and not going out to buy lunch ( my guilty pleasure at work)
Being in close proximity to fridge and toaster has done my waistband no favours though

OP posts:
SpiderinaWingMirror · 22/02/2021 11:29

I'm hoping that once lockdown eases I'll be able to make/meet local friends and home workers for a Friday pub lunch!
Might set up a ladies that lunch group!

OP posts:
SuperbGorgonzola · 22/02/2021 11:30

The calorie count is definitely not good for me at home.

Agree with no commute- i'm normally in the car for 6.20am.

Needing less childcare for my baby as i can do a lot in the evenings, though that is a double edged sword really.

Wearing joggers

Not having to walk to the opposite end of the building carrying my handbag full of planner, ipad, etc just to go to the toilet.

Mot having to move desks and computers every couple of hours.

CormoranStrike · 22/02/2021 11:31

No commute, dogs in the office, exercise in my breaks etc etc

Muskox · 22/02/2021 11:37

For me the huge plus is around childcare (this may not apply for you). Last week was half term so the DC weren't at school, I couldn't take time off so normally I would organise childcare. Youngest is in year 6, so I wouldn't feel right about leaving the DC alone at home all day. Wfh makes this all easier.

Also greater flexibility. I go for a run several days a week, at whatever time fits in with my work diary.

Chimeraforce · 22/02/2021 11:37

No cycling to work through packed roads, schools, college - it's dangerous.
But I'm getting fatter.
No people is wonderful. I don't have to waste energy masking 😊
I'm here for deliveries
I was here to aid my daughter after her surgery.... Rather than leaving her alone.
I can listen to music loudly when I want to. (mainly to drown out the building works next door. Bloody generator all day long).
I control the temperature - at office I was always too hot.
I can wear what I like. In summer I wore shorts and a vest top.... Could never wear that to work.

There are bad points, bills, building works and my job is hard without printer but I don't want to return.

Moondust001 · 22/02/2021 11:37

Being able to tell my boss that she is "breaking up / sorry the signal is down" half way through a meeting. It happens so often anyway that she hasn't figured out it's just because if I hear another word from her I will swear!!!

LookItsMeAgain · 22/02/2021 11:40

@Moondust001

Being able to tell my boss that she is "breaking up / sorry the signal is down" half way through a meeting. It happens so often anyway that she hasn't figured out it's just because if I hear another word from her I will swear!!!
Brilliant! I might try to use that in my next conversation with managers that I happen to have.
SpiderinaWingMirror · 22/02/2021 12:55

I must admit that I started a new job in August so it's really hard not being able to put names to faces, visit teams and just plain sit down and ask to shadow someone.
On the plus side I have one call every other day and am trusted to get on with it
On the minus side im not the most motivates of people without others to bounce off!

OP posts: