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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that this is impossible?

51 replies

Bumblebee39 · 27/12/2018 11:33

Trying to work from home as having childcare issues. AIBU to think this is impossible? If you manage it how? Tia xx

OP posts:
Puggles123 · 27/12/2018 11:40

It depends on the job, would you be looking to WFH all the time? A lot of places require you to head to the office at least a day a week, but this would make it easier it seems. A lot of jobs now when they advertise will highlight if flexible working etc is offered, and doesn’t hurt to contact them and ask before applying! If it’s in your current job worth looking through the policies and contacting HR; obviously for some roles it isn’t possible anyway (ie retail where you need to be in the shop), but for others it’s commonplace and most will ask for similar skills.

Heratnumber7 · 27/12/2018 11:44

You can't combine working from home with childcare.
You're either working or looking after your kids (which is a paid job in its own right).

Look after the kids and catch up with work this evening. Or take the day off.

Original poster
Bumblebee39 · 27/12/2018 11:56

I'm WFH until I can get childcare sorted out
It's meant to be short term but can't find childcare and have deadlines

OP posts:
ILoveChristmasLights · 27/12/2018 12:02

It depends how old your kids are, what their temperaments are like and what your ability to multi task is like.

If you can’t get anything done, consider swapping a few hours childcare with a friend, paying a teenager for a few hours after school and any soft play type places.

Good luck.

mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 12:03

Depends on the job. My employer wouldn't allow it for more than a day or 2 as an emergency and only if I had no meetings/ calls.

HerestoyouMrsRobinson · 27/12/2018 12:04

How old are your children?

LovesLaboursLost · 27/12/2018 12:07

It entirely depends what you’re doing, how many hours, how old your kids are and how they sleep. I freelance a bit at home when the kids are asleep. But full time work with a toddler? No.

ICouldBeSomebodyYouKnow · 27/12/2018 12:07

I know someone who does this regularly. She seems to manage by putting her DS in front of a screen. Works for her ...

UhUhUhDennis · 27/12/2018 12:08

How old are the children?

ilovekale · 27/12/2018 12:09

I do it two days a week though admittedly work isn't constant. May get a lot for an hour then nothing for the next etc so when it's quiet we play together, when I'm busy he'll play himself with toys he prefers to do alone (puzzles, colouring etc) . He's 2.

GenerationSnowflake · 27/12/2018 12:11

The only way is to work when the children are asleep, and it's exhausting. Either you are looking after the children, or you are working. You can jot a quick email whilst they watch a cartoon, but that's about it.

This question is unfortunately why so many employers refuse to allow their staff to work from home.

calamitycake · 27/12/2018 12:13

It depends on the ages of the children. Our youngest is in year 4 and it's doable.

Original poster
Bumblebee39 · 27/12/2018 12:14

No phonecalls or anything all written work that's well within my capability normally but not with a nearly 18m old climbing all over me. Just wondering if it's actually impossible or I'm just missing something.

Think it may just be impossible

OP posts:
krustykittens · 27/12/2018 12:18

Sorry, OP, but is impossible. I have a writing-only job and the only way I could do it when my kids were small was to start working when they went to bed at 8.30. I was lucky they were good sleepers, otherwise that would have been impossible as well!

Knittedfairies · 27/12/2018 12:18

I vote for impossible, I’m afraid.

SuperstarDJ · 27/12/2018 12:22

Impossible with a young child. You’ll have to wait until nap time to have a hope of getting anything done.

KittyClaus · 27/12/2018 12:23

Sorry, OP, but is impossible. I have a writing-only job and the only way I could do it when my kids were small was to start working when they went to bed at 8.30. I was lucky they were good sleepers, otherwise that would have been impossible as well!

This I’m afraid. Currently work 20 hours a week doing web/writing/social media gubbins. I do a flurry of efficient sounding emails while DC eat breakfast at 7am, then school run for older DD, then nothing much until DS naps (then another flurry of emails / any urgent calls). Then keep an eye on my email in case of urgent work but otherwise sit post bedtime doing it all.

When something urgent does come in it’s bags of Quavers and CBeebies all round in the living room while I lurk in the kitchen with my laptop. Everything gets done and thankfully my boss appreciates the extra work they get out of me (I log in seven days a week, do bits out of hours etc) but it’s not much fun at times. Plus, I dread to think what’s going to happen when DS drops his nap!

Ilikeknitting · 27/12/2018 12:23

You’re working, you can’t look after an 18 month old and work. It’s work or childcare, but both (at that young age) is impossible. Would you consider going to the office and leaving your children to entertain themselves? When your children are secondary school age, working from home will be easier, as in, you won’t need to get a nanny or au pair, but for now, nap times or evenings is your best bet. (I work from home and resent taking in neighbours deliveries as it interrupts my flow)

bananafish · 27/12/2018 12:23

It is possible, but depends on the age of the children - I don't think you're missing anything!

I'm working from home today, but my youngest is 4 and can be palmed off with an ipad and cbeebies (or his older brothers) long enough for me to write a few emails and start working on some other stuff I need to plan.

I think having an 18 month year old to entertain might be pushing the envelope a bit. Sorry! Hope you manage to get some done during naptime and after bedtime.

Original poster
Bumblebee39 · 27/12/2018 12:25

I'm just going to have to get done what I can in the evenings for now and hope I find some childcare soon.

OP posts:
LetsSplashMummy · 27/12/2018 12:26

It's really hard, I found it more efficient to do one thing at a time intensively than both badly together. So take the children out for a knackering walk or swim. Then they are more likely to play quietly/ nap/ watch tv etc. and you'll get some hours where you can actually be productive. Trying to work and entertain simultaneously isn't possible. Sorry.

Lazypuppy · 27/12/2018 12:26

My employer would not let me WFH and do childcare. You can't work properly.

People who do this are one of the reasons people don't trust others when they WFH

Chewbecca · 27/12/2018 12:27

If you are employed, you need to have childcare in place for the hours you are being paid to work.

If you don't need to interact with colleagues or customers, can you work whatever hours you can get someone else to look after DC for? Whether that be day/evening/whenever?

GoatYoga · 27/12/2018 12:27

I managed it from my youngest being very young.. I used to be up early (around 5am) and get 3 hours or so done before the school run for the older 2. Nap and play etc during the day and try to get in a couple of hours work, and then back at my desk from 7pm-10pm. It was exhausting, but doable especially if this is just a short term arrangement.

Mumof1andacat · 27/12/2018 12:27

At 18 mths he/She can go to nursery or child minders. Are there no local ones with space?

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