Should I feel this guilty…

[Rachell1]

I’m stressing myself out but to be honest I don’t know if I am right to or if I should change my mentality.

I have been given an opportunity to work from home (temp basis) from 8am-1pm. However, my toddler will be at home with me (employer is aware and ok with this) and I feel guilty.

We are lucky to be in a position where I don’t desperately need to work, but it would massively help if I did.

I think what it is… I wouldn’t be able to afford childcare, it would just take the full wage! And that the job involves spending most of the hours on the phone and having done it before with toddler around, it means me basically putting him in front of the tv for hours, not entertaining him at all and I felt before like I was just being a terrible mum.

Granted I can do things in the afternoons but he does get incredibly bored and frustrated which is stressful for me when trying to work and sad and boring for him.

Has/is anybody working from home with toddler around? I just don’t know whether to do it or not really…

I think it would be a mistake, you can't give 100% to job or toddler. I'm surprised your boss is ok with it.

I do it when there's an unexpected nursery closure or my child is sick. I hate it. I feel like I'm not doing my job or my parenting properly.

I work part of my day at home, after the afternoon school run however my DS is 8 now, and mostly fends for himself. My employer is fully aware that he is at home with me and it was actually his idea when I upped to full time hours. I can manage perfectly well but would really have struggled when he was younger.

How do you propose to keep both your toddler safe and do your job well?

It would be very hard and I don’t think particularly safe for your DC as you wont be able to have you full attention on them.

I do the odd hour with my toddler if work things crop up on my days off, but I couldn’t/wouldn’t want to manage more than that.

I think I have made my mind up and don’t think it’s possible. The extra money would help and solve certain concerns but… yes, you are all right in saying I wouldn’t be giving my 100% to either, which would just be selfish.

I think it is a terrible idea. You need childcare when you are working, he is too young to be unsupervised.

I really wouldn't. Your toddler will not understand and it is not fair on them.