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Original poster

Working from home with a toddle? Is it possible?

56 replies

mamamel2020 · 13/01/2022 13:54

Hey looking for some advice on working from home and a toddler😩

I’ve always worked full time since I left school and had to cut down my hours when pregnant as I was ill. I went back when he was 7 months due to the way my maternity worked out, Now my boys 18months and I’m still part time, Ive been struggling a lot not working full time as I’ve always done it and need to keep the routine as it messes with my mental health and I’m not bringing in anywhere near as much money as I used to and it’s really getting me down.

So I’ve been offered a full time job, 5 days over 7 on shift patterns. 2 of the shift patterns suit perfect but one is a 7am start and nursery doesn’t open till 8.

It’s a help desk role where I will be receiving and making calls and I’m just wondering if anyone does anything similar without using childcare or limited in the way of childcare?

Any help of advice is greatly appreciated!!❤️❤️

OP posts:
liveforsummer · 13/01/2022 14:01

Only you know if you have the type of toddler that you can do this alongside. How will you do the nursery run though if you need to be available from 7?

Yellowdott · 13/01/2022 14:01

How would you get your child to nursery on the day you start at 7? Do you have a partner/family member who can take him?

I work from home and had my toddler at home too on multiple occasions due them not allowing her in with a cough. It's not ideal but I found once she turned 2 she can play by herself or watch TV with minimal supervision. I am not on many calls though and my DH also wfh. We were thinking of taking her off nursery for 1 day a week to save money, but probably would be too boring for her every week so probably won't.

If it's just 1 hr a week surely easy to do? Just put on Peppa Pig with toys around and tell him you have important work to do for a bit so he has to play quietly. You know your child best though and whether that's feasible.

Floundery · 13/01/2022 14:02

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Hungry625f · 13/01/2022 14:04

I think for one hour a week it is doable. That's what screens are for. How would you get them to nursery though?

Do you have a partner?

Hugasauras · 13/01/2022 14:04

The calls bit is the tricky thing. If it was just admin and emails then I'd say yes, but an hour is a long time to expect a toddler to remain quiet, even with TV on. I'd imagine they'd want to come up to chat and show you stuff.

Hugasauras · 13/01/2022 14:05

Do you have a partner? Are they around for that first hour?

Fashionesta · 13/01/2022 14:08

I say no. On the odd day my 8yr old has been off sick she has occasionally wandered in to shot in meetings. It depends on the child but if I was speaking to someone in a call center who had a child screeching in the background I would find it highly unprofessional. I think unless you can find alternative childcare you can't up the hours. Sorry if that sounds harsh but being realistic.

MarshmallowFondant · 13/01/2022 14:08

But if you are starting work at 7am and supposed to be answering calls, how are you going to get your child to nursery?

Agree with others, if it was emails or something which didn't require talking to people you might be OK but providing tech support with a toddler in the background having a meltdown is impossible.

SummerHouse · 13/01/2022 14:11

I think you need to look after yourself. This will bring stress. You would at times feel like you are failing at work, parenting or both.

So, solutions... A childminder that starts early and will drop DD to nursery? A nanny? Any other support you might have, friends / family?

careerswitcher · 13/01/2022 14:15

A friend of mine employs someone to take her kids to nursery as she has a similar issue. Could you try this?

Personally I don't think I could WFH with a toddler tbh, sorry Sad

Redcrayons · 13/01/2022 14:17

Generally speaking, no you can’t. Especially if your on the phone all day.
What are the logistics?
How long will you be out of the house stopping him off?
Can you get someone to babysit from 7 and then do drop off?
Can you explain and ask if you can start later in nursery days?

Don’t give up on it yet, the company may well have some family friendly policies that make it workable.

Howshouldibehave · 13/01/2022 14:20

Are you talking about working from home with a toddler around from 7-8am, and then taking them to nursery, or are you talking about wfh with a toddler there all of the time?

mynameiscalypso · 13/01/2022 14:20

I sometimes have to do calls for work at odd times and DS has joined (he's now 2.5 but it's happened for the last year or so). It's an absolute bloody nightmare and it stresses me out so much. He has the attention span of a flea and so won't just sit in front of the TV. He always tries to get my attention (or join the call) and so will climb on furniture, shout at me, try to climb on my lap, whatever really. I always make it clear that it's a condition of me joining a call outside my working hours but it's really not good.

Original poster
mamamel2020 · 13/01/2022 14:21

Yeah he’s quite active toddler lol and yeah would only be for an hour or so until my partners dad can pick him up to take him to nursery for me before he goes to work. I’m a ftm and I just worry that I’m messing everything up all the time, and I don’t want to mess things up with the job either as it is good hours and better pay than what I’m on just now. All of our family work aswell so I hate to ask for extra help when I know they all have their own stuff on.

OP posts:
BrieAndChilli · 13/01/2022 14:25

No is the answer.

I have worked from home in several jobs. The first was a call centre type role where I was taking inbound calls from customers. I had a 1 year old at the time and on the days that DH was on shifts I would have to get my FIL round to sit with the baby/do bed time etc. I was expected to provide an environment that was professional and a baby/toddler in the background would definitely not be that.
It would not be fair or safe for the toddler to be sat in another room by themselves. They will need toileting, feeding and interacting with.

It is also not fair to your employer as they will not want the noise of your toddler in the background, and you focus will be split as you will always have half a mind on what the toddler is doing and more likely to make mistakes in your work.

BrieAndChilli · 13/01/2022 14:26

Could your partner drop the baby to his dads when he leaves for work so he can take him to nursery straight from his house?

LakeShoreD · 13/01/2022 14:33

It depends on your toddler really… you know him better than us! If he’s at all disruptive or noisy aka a normal toddler then given the nature of your job obviously it won’t work because he’ll be heard on your calls. I know my eldest at that age would have sat still and watched TV for an hour without moving so long as she was left with a water bottle and snack. I’d feel a bit shit if I did it every morning but once a week would be ok. Alternatively could you negotiate your shift pattern or would your partner be able to drop him at his dads when he leaves for work?

SarahAndQuack · 13/01/2022 14:34

Honestly, for one hour? If your work is ok with it (and they may not be) why on earth not? It'd be getting out to nursery that's the issue.

I thought you were going to ask about working full days or several hours around a toddler.

SheWoreYellow · 13/01/2022 14:36

For an hour, first thing in the morning, maybe. Tv on, food laid out in front of them.

BlueSky8 · 13/01/2022 14:40

I do it, my LO is at nursery, I need to clock in for an hour also before he goes and still working couple hours once he's home.

We manage fine tbh.
You've got someone to take him so that's great what about pick ups?
We have flexi so I can nip out for him, my friends company does do flexi so she uses half of her dinner hour for drop offs and pick ups.

My little boy is very active and I just make sure there's lots set up for him coming home to entertain him if I'm on a call.

Hemingwayzcatz · 13/01/2022 14:44

I don’t think it’s a great long term plan. If you were sitting writing emails it would be different but I don’t think it’s fair to take calls with a toddler in the background nagging you for snacks/toys/the toilet or whatever it may be. I have a 1 and 3 year old, making a phone call to the dentist is hard enough.

Hugasauras · 13/01/2022 14:44

DH often keeps DD for an hour or so in the mornings when he works so I can sleep and can absolutely do email, admin, computer-based tasks as she's happy to amuse herself. But when he has a series of calls to make, he can't keep her because she will inevitably want to chat occasionally and when she hears him talking, she assumes she is part of the conversation Grin So I think you'll be on edge the entire time personally if your entire job is making and receiving calls.

DD will happily watch TV for an hour but she will chat to herself, sing, point stuff out to DH, ask for more water, etc. Fine if you aren't on the phone, not good if you are.

liveforsummer · 13/01/2022 14:45

Also depends on the nature of the job, is it something complicated that needs full concentration? Is it something people will be queuing up at 7am
To get answered for as that could then be your busiest time of day

Gingerish · 13/01/2022 14:46

I would. TV on.

Alliswells · 13/01/2022 14:49

Getting paid to wfh is exactly that... Work. Not try to work and look after a child also.
Can't be done. Your child will suffer. Your work will suffer. You will suffer.
Find an alternative arrangement or ask your employer can you start later and finish later

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