If you have a toddler and will be working full time from home, how are you going to do it?

[Itsarainysunnyday]

Just that really.

I’m a uni lecturer and am still expected to tutor my students online, Mark assignments etc... It is my busiest time of year.

I will of course be at home to do this. My 6 year old is fairly self sufficient and I can easily guide her to work at the same time as me. Her school has provided her with a ton of work.

My two year old, is very demanding and I can’t see how I’d be able to work at all.

Now DH is a key worker and my CM has said she’s happy to keep taking the youngest, in fact she actively wants to as my fees will be her only income. But I am wavering. Is this a selfish thing for me to do? If I’m home should he be too? I honestly wouldn’t be able to work, the thought of working with him there is seriously stressing me out. I have a duty of care to get my students through the course. If I don’t it won’t survive. But of course, I have a duty of care to do what’s best for my family.

Am I being a twat to take him to CM? He will be the only person in the house apart from CM husband, and their kids (3 and 5). They won’t be going out. They live on our road so travelling isn’t a risk.

If she's isolating apart from her family then I think it's fine.

In fact I'd ask her to have the 6 year old as well.

We’re having a similar dilemma. I work in corp comms doing (at the moment) internal Coronavirus comms. My DH is a financial advisor so with markets how they are we are both pretty busy. And have our two year old at home. I have never been so stressed. I am going to ask my boss tomorrow if I can take a weeks holiday spread over the next two weeks and effectively work part time.

Unfortunately neither DH or I have any leave until april now as that’s the leave year. Not that DH would be allowed to take it.

I’ve just read a thread pleading people please not to send their kids to childcare unless absolutely necessary and now I’m super anxious again and thinking I won’t send him.

And I can see all these people swanning about outside, I live on a main road, no social distancing whatsoever and I think I’m being an idiot not sending him!

I’m just keeping everything crossed that DH is WFH in the next few days, he’s essential NHS but could WFH if his bosses got their arses into gear, then we would just tag team childcare around meetings, teaching and appointments.

I know so many people have it so much worse but I’m having kittens about this!!

I am also a university lecturer who is about to start working from home with a toddler. I would send him to the childminder, especially as he is the only one and they live on your street.

I don’t know how I am going to be able to do all my work as I don’t have the option of nursery.

Honestly you won’t get any work done with a toddler so I would do it.

@Elephantgrey sending huge amounts of patience and luck your way.

I’ve spent the whole weekend recording lectures while DH is here so as not to have a little voice saying “Mummy can I have a snack” in the background!

I think I’ll make a decision in the morning.

If he’s the only one I would send - I think the social media focus is on people sending their children to school because they can rather than need to - so for example if your DP was a nurse you were at home and both your children were school age.

DH and I worked from home with two year old last week, it was really difficult.
We worked in shifts which basically meant one of us was working all the time 7-11, which was really difficult. I've prioritised meetings in work hours and then work earlier and in the evening but there's no denying it's draining and sucks. We're a vulnerable household so sucking it up, doesn't seem much compared to saving lives.

I'm still on mat leave from the NHS so I'm fairly lucky (part from feeling guilty that I'm not there ) although I'm in a role where I can theoretically do quite a bit at home. Cut yourselves some slack though, we're in a completely unprecedented situation and would hope that everyone will be understanding if things aren't quite up to your usual standard as you're multitasking. Coffee and a socially distant hug for you all

In your position I would definitely send the 2yo to the childminder.
The childminder will have no other children.
You can't WFH with a young child.
All these people lecturing others is getting boring now.
There are some piss takers sending old children to school when it's not necessary.
But your situation is different.

*older children

I'm in the same position. Have a 4 year old and husband works nights. I work in Marketing and so have asked if I can work flexibly, but my employer still expects me to be available for Skype meetings, client calls and anything else 9-5.

Not sure how it's going to work, to be honest. I've got lots of colouring and worksheets to keep her occupied, but that's about the best I can do!