Page 26 | WFH with children

Annie232 · 2022-11-04T09:04:14+00:00

On many threads I hear women pop up and mention how they WFH x number of days and so don't need childcare on x number of days. Incidentally, within my NCT group on discussions on return to work a few of the women have said similar and that they plan to WFH 1/2 days a week and therefore save on childcare. Is this a thing now?

Chiccaletta · 07/11/2022 20:19

As others have said, you are in completely the wrong discussion.

If you work in a legal setting as you say, then you of all people should know what a contract is. You shouldnt be advising women that they don't have to work all their hours stated in their employment contract if they consider themselves efficient.
Where on earth did you study law?
And can these women hire you to represent them if they get dismissed?

Chiccaletta · 07/11/2022 20:21

Chiccaletta · 07/11/2022 20:19

As others have said, you are in completely the wrong discussion.

If you work in a legal setting as you say, then you of all people should know what a contract is. You shouldnt be advising women that they don't have to work all their hours stated in their employment contract if they consider themselves efficient.
Where on earth did you study law?
And can these women hire you to represent them if they get dismissed?

Sorry that was for wiluli, the main WFH with kids rep on this thread

ZoChan · 07/11/2022 20:37

Summerfun54321 · 07/11/2022 00:05

More fool any woman working twice as hard for no extra pay. Either I’m a SAHM and my DH can earn the money, or I work and earn a wage. Anyone agreeing to do both childcare and work simultaneously is doing themselves a huge disservice. Any man agreeing to or expecting a woman to do this is a misogynist.

Oof! That one hit home a bit as I am a business owner but have my kids at home/school whilst I work.

I am a childminder (Montessori trained so quite niche) but originally set up in order to bring in some money whilst being at home with my own children. Ultimately I now work with my own children at home, so it IS possible OP. I am self employed so set my own hours to suit my family, and I don't have to pay for childcare. However: I have my own children at home whilst I am working!! They are at home- the place where they relax so they don't always want to help me out. Their behaviour reflects on my business and it is very stressful should they have a bad day- which they do because they're kids!

@Annie232 I work at home with my kids present, because I am experienced in child development, behaviours and they do contribute a lot to my customers: we provide a family environment. But I would not take on an admin job with expected meetings, with my children at home- a seven month old who just started with me barely naps for longer than 30 minutes at a time even for her own parents! You don't know who your baby is going to be, how tired you're going to be, how much the trust in your childcare provider relieves some of the pressure on parents. Childcare isn't just for work, it's knowing they're safe happy and stimulated whilst you do the supermarket shop, go the gym, go out for lunch with your partner! If paying me £5 an hour is too expensive to provide care for the most important person in your life, with all the qualifications and registrations I have, then to be honest, I don't know what to suggest.

Wiluli · 07/11/2022 20:47

Chiccaletta · 07/11/2022 20:19

As others have said, you are in completely the wrong discussion.

If you work in a legal setting as you say, then you of all people should know what a contract is. You shouldnt be advising women that they don't have to work all their hours stated in their employment contract if they consider themselves efficient.
Where on earth did you study law?
And can these women hire you to represent them if they get dismissed?

I haven’t seen their contracts so will depend on what they say . As I posted early my office never revoked wfh with children , because most people were able to work well even during covid . This will depend entirely on each persons contract . I’m by no means saying people should hide it , just stating some jobs can be done with a child at home and a few adaptations so some of those mums thinking about wfh may be able to do it

HerMajestysRoyalCoven · 07/11/2022 22:03

the older ones learned to read while I worked and wanted to “ work “ with mum at times . The 6 year old could pretty much be at least a Sectetary by now the amount she knows lol

This doesn’t sound remotely data protection compliant.

eastegg · 07/11/2022 22:24

ZoChan · 07/11/2022 20:37

Oof! That one hit home a bit as I am a business owner but have my kids at home/school whilst I work.

I am a childminder (Montessori trained so quite niche) but originally set up in order to bring in some money whilst being at home with my own children. Ultimately I now work with my own children at home, so it IS possible OP. I am self employed so set my own hours to suit my family, and I don't have to pay for childcare. However: I have my own children at home whilst I am working!! They are at home- the place where they relax so they don't always want to help me out. Their behaviour reflects on my business and it is very stressful should they have a bad day- which they do because they're kids!

@Annie232 I work at home with my kids present, because I am experienced in child development, behaviours and they do contribute a lot to my customers: we provide a family environment. But I would not take on an admin job with expected meetings, with my children at home- a seven month old who just started with me barely naps for longer than 30 minutes at a time even for her own parents! You don't know who your baby is going to be, how tired you're going to be, how much the trust in your childcare provider relieves some of the pressure on parents. Childcare isn't just for work, it's knowing they're safe happy and stimulated whilst you do the supermarket shop, go the gym, go out for lunch with your partner! If paying me £5 an hour is too expensive to provide care for the most important person in your life, with all the qualifications and registrations I have, then to be honest, I don't know what to suggest.

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I agree, it’s surprising isn’t it, that these hotshots in such senior roles who’ve been promoted multiple times don’t fork out a bit of that salary for some proper childcare.

Also, what if the child doesn’t sleep well? It’s particularly crazy advice to say it’s doable when the person asking is talking about babies (she mentions an NCT group). You don’t know what you’re going to get. 2 out of 3 of mine didn’t settle for hours in the evening until they were older, got up in the night and were early risers. And yet people like Wiluli glibly tell us they do their work while their kids sleep in til 10am.

ImAvingOops · 08/11/2022 08:01

Childminding is a very specific job and the parents who use your services will have chosen you knowing that you are caring for your own dc simultaneously. Some parents will be okay with this, but others will prefer their dc to get 100% of the caregivers time so will opt for a nanny instead. The point being that the 'employer' gets to make an informed decision.
Lots of people advocating wfh on this thread haven't formally agreed this with the people who pay them. They're on dodgy ground.
And some have confused the issue of working around their contracted hours so they can do childcare with actually working full time while simultaneously looking after their children.