To think I can work from home with a 1yo

[Pollypanda]

I am currently on maternity leave, returning to work in November when DS will be 1. Work have allowed me to work from home 1 day a week to help alleviate nursery costs which I’m grateful for. However, general consensus amongst family and friends is that I’m mad to think I’ll get any work done whilst trying to look after DS.

I am office based, managing a small team without much direct client contact. Most of my communication in done via email due to the nature of my industry. So I won’t be juggling client calls, meetings, etc. Any calls I do get will be from my team.

AIBU to think I can do this no problem?

I think YABU to think you can do a full days work while looking after a 1yo. If your toddler is a good napper then you might get a couple of hours in while they are asleep. I occasionally have to look after my 1yo and attempt to work and generally manage 2-3 hours but it’s very stressful!

When do you plan to do the work? If it’s at nap times and after DS has gone to bed that’s ok, but I wouldn’t expect to get anything done when he’s awake. I needed eyes in the back of my head when my son was that age as he’d just started walking.

You'll get nothing done while 1 yr old is awake. If you are happy to work whilst they are asleep crack on.....

Good luck with that. Every place i have worked it is carefully explained that wfh is not to be confused with no need for childcare.

I would say no chance. I have a friend who’s child naps 5 hours a day so maybe if that was the case you could get half a days work done but otherwise it will just be impossible !!

Yes YABU

I’ve worked at home two days a week for the past decade - but in the early days it was on the strict understanding that the children were elsewhere while I was working.

Little kids are demanding, you’ll struggle to focus for long enough periods on work. What are you envisaging your child will donwhile you are working for 7 hours?

I'm really surprised that your employer has agreed for you to work at home whilst looking after a one year old.

As PP have said. Yes, you are mad. A bit done when napping but nothing when awake. Even if they play independently you'll need to be watching them. Plus, don't underestimate the amount of time needed to prep food, feed and then clean up from the meal. You could perhaps do a half day at nursery to save a bit of money and start early and have DP do drop off?

Is it a full 7 hour day during normal office hours? Or is it more flexible than that? If not, I don't think you've got a hope.

Yabu
I think working from home with children is difficult in general eg one of my team has an 8 year old and works from home 3-5 ish but its difficult for the 8 year old to get that while mummy is there she isnt "there"

You cant look after a one year old and work at the same time. Think of when child is toddling or demanding attention, your focus will be on them not your laptop. Unless you plan to put your child on the floor and not respond to them?

Are you saying you can do childcare and work?

If that were the case, why does anyone pay for childcare?

I work from home, and just about manage to bung a wash on and put it out on the line come elevenses. Having a child in the house that needed my sole attention and work? No chance.

Are you sure Work know that you are considering having your son at home? We’re allowed to work from home but definitely not allowed to be looking after children at the same time.

You’re taking the piss.

You’ll be taking advantage of your employer. And you’ll neglecting your 1 year old.

You know this though.

Sorry OP, I thought this would be fine too - I was totally wrong. Literally nothing could be done while DC was awake. It's a lovely thought though!

You’ll need childcare. Your baby will be moving and you won’t have long spells where they can be unsupervised.

It isn't going to work. Not without ignoring your child at extended points throughout the day. Which is probably not good for them.

LOL I laughed too.

I think when most people work from home it means the DC is in nursery from 9-5 rather than 8-6 with a commute or that they can do school runs and an extra bit of work in the evening. Maybe a few days a year of the toddler is poorly or its INSET day...

I dont know anyone who gets a proper full days work done with a toddler at home.
I struggle to even do uni work with my 2yr old in the background....you're there with your spreadsheet/talking on the phone/writing a sensitive email and then suddenly 'CRASH' 'Timmy what have you done to your lunch/toys/face....' etc.

Silly idea. At 14 is months both of mine would nap for 1.5 -2 hours a day but that was really the only window to bet anything done. No way could you do a proper days work and I'm amazed a work place would allow it to tbh.

YABU and I wouldn’t be happy if a member of my team tried to pull this off.

Where I used to work, it wasn’t permitted anyway. If you work from home, you have to be only working not actually caring for anyone!

I work from home 3 days a week and have 3 kids. There is no way you can do a normal days work with your 1yr old around. You’ll get “bits and bobs” done only. This summer I have done some days with my 8yr old at home with me this summer but she’s old enough to toilet herself, get drinks and snacks and entertain herself. My younger 2 were in nursery. Don’t do it - it isn’t fair on your child or your workplace.

Plus your one year will develop and be walking / running etc. What will you do then?

YABVU

YABU that's called being a stay at home parent not working from home. I am amazed your employer thinks you will get any work done with a 1 year old at home, let alone suggest it as a viable option and pay you for it. Your whole day will be spent looking after your child you wont be working. If it was that easy everyone would do it and obviously that just doesn't happen. You must realise how hard it is looking after a child? Think about your average day and be honest at how much time you would be able to spend on work?

as Spikey said. Its unusual for your employer to allow you to wfh so you can look after your child and avoid childcare costs. Are you sure you understood them properly? It's usually to avoid a commute and an extra long day.

What will you do if a member of your team needs you urgently but your child has fallen over - who will you prioritise?

I work from home with my 16 month old... it's a nightmare I never get anything done in the day and end up working once she goes to bed! Counting down til she starts at a childminder mid-September!
Can anyone pop over to help out on your working from home day? Or could you try breaking your day into chunks so you can give your little one some guilt free time during the day?

Sorry to sound like the voice of doom!! It isn't impossible and it is doable but it won't be easy although I think it will get better as your DS gets older - my DS is 3 and I can get bits done while he's around. It's DD that requires constant watching!