Working from home, no childcare...how are you managing?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

DH and I had our first attempt at both working from home today whilst our two young DC were also at home. Both of us have office jobs and in theory we can work flexible hours but we both need to check-in with colleagues and have Skype meetings during the day.

Today we both tried to work our normal hours whilst DC alternated between running amok and watching hours of TV. Everyone was very tetchy by the end of the day, neither DH or I had a very productive day and DCs behaviour was going downhill rapidly.

Desperately need to plan a way of managing this if it’s what our lives look like for the foreseeable future. How is everyone coping? How do we make this work?

We have a one year old and attempted the same on Friday last week when he was ill with a stomach bug; it didn't go well! So we've decided if he's going to be off nursery long term and we're both WFH, we'll alternate who watches him so the other can get some work done. So for example, I'll watch him 8-12 whilst DH works in the office upstairs, then we'll swap and he'll do 12-4 whilst I work. Then after DS is in bed, we'll each do 2-3 hours on an evening to make up the rest of the working day. Both of our employers have agreed to this, but I suppose it depends on how flexible you need to be for meetings etc. I can fit any essential ones into the 4 hours I have during the day.

Just about to start this and your scenario is exactly what I'm afraid of. Only practical thought I've had so far is each finding time to take child out for an hour or so, either for a walk somewhere you can distance or for drive in car to somewhere open. Gets kid out of the house, you get fresh air and partner gets at least a short period of time without the chaos going on around them.

We have both worked from home with kids here for the odd day here and there.

We plan the day in advance, looking at who has meetings when and trying to allocate one adult to be with the kids at all times. If there's a clash of meetings then iPads are deployed, though we also decide who's meeting is less important and that person is on standby for interruptions.

Aside from meetings, we get very little work done because it's not fair on the kids to be left all day to fend for themselves. We try to make some time up in the evening if necessary, but otherwise I just claim the hours I've managed to do effectively (on flexi time) and write the rest off.

My kids are all under 10. Older than that and it might be easier for them to amuse themselves!

Stagger your work hours

One of you start early and do their hours then switch

With young kids you need to shift your schedules. One of you starts early. The other works late. You alternate during the day for meetings. Since you are stuck at home anyway, maybe even shift some
Of your work to weekends.

Our dd is older and I’ve been telecommuting her entire life so we have a pretty good routine in place at this point. We are now looking at at least 3 months of her being home though so sure that balance will be tested. DH and I are putting up signs on our home office doors when we can’t be disturbed except for emergencies, but trying to keep that to only when absolutely necessary. We have also talked to our daughter about the situation we are all in and how she is going to have to do her part to make it work. I think it’s a conversation worth having at an age appropriate level.

Yeah. Stagger your work hours. One person starts at 5am or something. Other works til 8.

We've got this; me and my DH both trying to WFH with our one year old. It's not going well and it's been three days...

Today I mainly let DD watch CBeebies and pull tissues out of boxes and throw soft toys into the fireplace.

Now DH and I have both come down with a horrible tummy bug, only a matter of time before DD gets it. This is not going to be pretty.

I think we’re looking at finding a dedicated space we can use in the house for someone to work uninterrupted, which will mean shifting bedrooms around. Then staggering working hours so we each get some focused working time.

Expecting and announcement on school closures today so we will need to adapt!

I got up and started work at 5 this morning, worked until lunch then swapped with my partner. I Will probably log on and do a bit this evening too.
I’m an early riser and he is a night owl so it works for us.
We were both home workers anyway so our employers are used to and fine with a degree of flexibility although I realise this may not be the case for others.
I guess you just muddle through we don’t have much choice really.

My dh is an emergency doctor. I have 2 small kids. I think it's going to be unpaid leave for me. Unfair on kids otherwise.

I am dreading it, I work form home Monday-Friday 10-2 and have done for years. We have two 7 year olds and dh will not be able to work from home (frontline worker). I have meetings and conferences pretty for the whole 4 hours. It means my DC are stuck amusing themselves all day long. They are used to this from school holidays but this will be a new test for us all.
They do a bit of school work then fight.
They watch TV then fight.
They eat loads of food throughout the day then fight.
They come upstairs and nag me and I have to pause my conference of 20 people while I sort out bickering then they fight.
They play with their toys while decemating the house and of course, fight some more.

It's going to be swell.