Wfh during summer hols with young children

[Jeannie88]

At what age do you think being able to properly wfh can be done while looking after your children? Just curious as a few friends in whattsapp group. Some say it's fine as 5, 6, 7 year olds can amuse themselves, others say their 5/6/7 year olds need constant attention. The debate is should they put them into nursery, holiday clubs etc. They do have the luxury of parents being able to help and take them out, so not all day every day having to parent.

Personally, I have responded with alternating days, so a child free day get lots done, next day less. I did also point out that those who don't wfh have no choice and need to rely on childcare or family help if lucky to have it.

For those who have partners who wfh as well it can be managed but when DP out at work it's difficult and stressful.

What do you think would be the best option? I would find it taxing to wfh and look after DC and would certainly consider some days of childcare and willing to pay for it, even 2 or 3 days a week, or full steam working and take DC out on the evening and weekends for fresh air and exercise.

It's not easy these days with both parents working during holidays 😕

Excellent post.

Obviously it depends on a combination of the individual child, and what your job entails. There will be a few children at 10 who would be fine, there will be others at 11 or 12 who still need more supervision.

If it is a 'one off' one day, that is very different from 5 days a week x 6 weeks.

In Covid I worked out of the house one day a week and my husband was suddenly WFH with a 4 and 6 year old on the day I wasn’t there. He’d have 2 hour meetings and they’d just get on and play, I used to leave snacks out and activities. I know how hard they found it on the days I wasn’t there and dad was busy most of the day. I think wfh with children can only work for short bursts of an hour or so.

I think it's totally child dependent.
We have DS6 and DD3. Couldn't wfh with DD unless absolutely an emergency.
DS however is extremely independent and able to amuse himself. I think during the entire 6.5wks we have 4 days where me/DH will wfh while he's home, he'll watch movies, play on his Switch, build Lego, play with his toys, read books, colour. I can sit on the sofa with my laptop and easily work while he does this. I also know though he's quite unusual to be able to do this.
I think 4 days lazing about with the other 35 out and about doing lots of fun activities is reasonable.

I do think it depends on the child.

I used a mix of camps and clubs and leave to 11 with the odd day with them at home. I can wfh with them but only if they sit and watch tv or go on tablets all day basically which I don't feel is fair to them for the whole holidays so I try to only have a few "chill" days like these over the break

Sometimes there are free or very cheap clubs & things they can go to for just a come of hours to get them out of the house/

Also depends on your job, mine needs a lot of concentration and focus or if you can get away with dipping in and out.

Obviously during Covid we all had to do what we could without any childcare so that was different I don't think we can compare that now as all the options are back

11 probably. My older two are 8 and 5 and I can do bits and pieces with them around, but (1) screens, which I hate, are the only way to reliably keep them quiet, and (2) my work involves quite a bit of concentration, so being interrupted for snacks / drinks / to referee fights is annoying. It’s fine when they’ve been to a club that finishes at 3, as I use the club time to get the most important work done and finish up admin stuff when they’re home - a couple of hours’ TV for them after five hours of sport is fine.

I can see having the occasional “chill” screen time day for them while you wfh but that can’t be a solution for primary aged kids for most of the holidays.

Whst @allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld said about wfh.