Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I can WFH 9-5 in the holidays with my kids at home

394 replies

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:38

I recently started a new job where I’m based at home full time. Was a bit nervous at first not going into an office as I’ve only ever had office based roles but I’ve found a good rhythm and routine and we meet in big city once a month so I’m happy with that.

I was off through February half term but I don’t want to use all my holidays too soon. Obviously Easter holidays are coming up. My kids are 6&9. Holiday clubs not only cost a fortune but the kids absolutely hate going to them. I can get family childcare for a couple of days and DH can take a couple of days off bit WIBU to keep them at home while I work? They’re old enough to entertain themselves i’d just need to make their lunch and check they’re still alive.

For context - I know people at my new work who WFH on half days with their 1yo babies there. One of them was late to a meeting the other day because the health visitor was round!

OP posts:
Riverlee · 05/03/2023 16:50

Holiday clubs are expensive, but it’s only for a few weeks of the year, and that’s a sacrifice you have to make. Secondary school aged kids, fine to wfh. Junior school aged kids, no. Unfair on them, and unfair on your employer.

Original poster
TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 16:51

LindorDoubleChoc · 05/03/2023 14:29

How absolutely miserable for the children! Being cooped up at home all day in the school holidays. It really sounds awful.

Christ how do you think families who can’t afford to do things outside the home cope?

OP posts:
Maireas · 05/03/2023 16:54

They're fine at home, playing and doing their own thing, but they still need supervision. At those ages it'll be ok for a few days, it's not as if you've left the house.
A toddler?.nope.

Bluegren · 05/03/2023 16:55

Two colleagues are currently doing this and it’s impacting their performance. Their kids are younger but 6 is still young to expect them to completely self entertain.

stayathomer · 05/03/2023 16:59

Christ how do you think families who can’t afford to do things outside the home cope?
The difference is the parent would be able to bring them to the park or library or a playground (unless that poster is actually saying how miserable if they can’t do camp etc, if so sorry!!!!)

avocadotofu · 05/03/2023 16:59

I think you need childcare. I don't think that's fair on your children or your employer

Plantalol · 05/03/2023 17:02

I home educate my DS and WFH. I am freelance though. I wouldn't do a standard 9-5 job and try to look after him at the same time, other than the odd occasion in an emergency.

Misslizzie96 · 05/03/2023 17:05

My kids are slightly older and I put them
in holiday clubs even though WFH. They’re distracting if I’m concentrating on something or in a meeting, and it’s also not fair on them. There are benefits to WFH in that you don’t need the full 8am to 6pm childcare so sports clubs that run 9-15:00 are options now when they didn’t used to be for me, but overall I organise childcare. The sports clubs we use are either council run or local tennis club etc and much cheaper than school holiday clubs we used to have to use. Odd exceptions like them being off school sick or the strike days I’ve managed to work from home with them here but that’s all really.

Fcuk38 · 05/03/2023 17:07

mine are 11 and 14 and I used to do this with a little holiday club thrown in for the younger one. It was fine at first but the 11 year old now hates it, sits there with puppy dog eyes wondering when I’m going to be finished. Your kids are way way too young.

Original poster
TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 17:08

Hbh17 · 05/03/2023 15:24

How irresponsible! If I were your employer I would insist that you are either full-time in the office, or you look for another job. When you are working, the job needs to have 100% of your attention - which won't happen with kids in the house. Just sort out proper childcare, like everyone else does.

There is no office.

Everyone works from home.

When I worked in an office I was NEVER 100% focussed on my job due to so many people coming in to discuss Love Island with colleagues/demand something from me/gossiping/asking to borrow my stuff/asking for help with a printer. I’m so much more efficient WFH on a normal day.

OP posts:
HiccupHorrendousHaddock · 05/03/2023 17:08

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 16:51

Christ how do you think families who can’t afford to do things outside the home cope?

Show quote history

By walking to the park or the library, playing games, interacting with them, etc.

Not by keeping them indoors with nothing to do and no one to play with because you don't have childcare.

When they're over 10 I think it's fine to WFH without childcare. A 6 year old - no way. They can't spend several days glued to the telly with a packed lunch.

Do you have other WFH friends? If you combine your hours into 4 days rather than 5, could you take their kids in return for them having yours on one of your working days?

AviMav · 05/03/2023 17:09

Agree holiday clubs are defo pricey there are NO holiday clubs for £25 a day here most are £40 odd pound per day!! I'm Yorkshire too.

I think its unreasonable though to expect your kids to entertain themselves. What do you plan to do in the big summer hols?

I pay for childcare as I'm a single parent and cannot WFH but I wouldn't be doing what you are suggesting either.

MNisMyGuiltyPleasure · 05/03/2023 17:10

SoHereWeGo · 05/03/2023 13:41

And people wonder why employers want their staff back in the office....

100%

Original poster
TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 17:10

Re holiday club - my kids aren’t snowflakes but I’m not going to purposefully send them somewhere where they’re miserable and possibly unsafe for 6 hours when they can easily entertain themselves in the place they’re happiest in.

Reading these replies makes me feel v lucky - my kids don’t demand loads of my time for little things they can do themselves

OP posts:
Bagzzz · 05/03/2023 17:11

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:51

Yes that’s what I’m thinking.

They’re very good at playing with each other and for example today I’ve barely seen either of them (except when they want food) because they play in their rooms with each other.

Show quote history

This may be because they know that they can approach you any time during the day.

I agree with others saying you are unfair to your employer and colleagues that have arranged childcare or do not have children.

Original poster
TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 17:11

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 05/03/2023 15:40

You need to talk to your manager (and check your contract) about their policy for working at home with the children there.

Apart from you being distracted from your work (you will be), what if something happens like one of them trips over or falls down the stairs while you're on a work call? Would you sue them? Or could they sue you?

It's really unprofessional to be honest. Pay for childcare, even if it's not a club.

Why would anybody sue anyone if my child fell down the stairs?!

OP posts:
Oddbobbyboo · 05/03/2023 17:12

This would work if you can work outside your contracted hours. My boss is pretty flexible provided we attend schedule meetings and all of our projects are completed on time. If anything it'll be harder for you because you won't be able to work as effectively but that's how I manage the holidays x

Owlatnight · 05/03/2023 17:12

I think you have your answer as you said the other day they played well together and you hardly saw them. Sometimes setting them up with an activity at the beginning of the day can help get them started on a project so they are less likely to run out of steam. You might need to have rules about when they can ask you something and what constitutes an emergency. It's meant to help creativity for children to be left to do as they like

AviMav · 05/03/2023 17:13

@TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl well why don't you try another holiday club? Your kids will be bored from 7am or whatever time they wake up till 5pm. It's not fair and I think you know that really within yourself. 5 days a week? Please update us and let us know how you got on.

Original poster
TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 17:13

bouncydog · 05/03/2023 15:49

There is possibly something in your contract about being called back to work from the office as WFH only works if it works both ways. What are you going to do if your employer says we want you back in the office tomorrow and you are looking after your children? If your employer finds out (and there is a good chance they will) then your WFH contract could be rescinded or worse it could be a disciplinary. Also if you have your children there then you won't be 100% focussed on your job which is what you are being paid to do. Totally dishonest unless you ask and get full agreement from your employer first. If you're not prepared to do that then you know what you are proposing is wrong.

What are you going to do if your employer says we want you back in the office tomorrow and you are looking after your children?

There is no office. The whole toga organisation works remotely

OP posts:
Original poster
TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 17:14

Chippy1234 · 05/03/2023 16:07

There is no way you can have a toddler with you all day and do much work at all. Another piss take until you re found out.

I don’t have a toddler

OP posts:
Owlatnight · 05/03/2023 17:15

I did half days WFH when my two were 5 and 7

MegaManic · 05/03/2023 17:15

I think for 3-4 days over 2 weeks that it should be fine. Can you do an extra hour or two on the days you have childcare to give you a buffer for the days they are with you?
You know your own kids but I have similar aged kids (7&9) and they would I would need to spend a bit of time with them unless they were on iPads/TV for the whole day!

twix23 · 05/03/2023 17:15

They'll be fine. Please don't worry.

caringcarer · 05/03/2023 17:17

No it is not on. Are you a Civil Servant by any chance?

Swipe left for the next trending thread