WFH with child?

[Readytopop2022x]

Just looking for some guidance basically for when I eventually return to work (3 weeks until due date so I'm a bit premature) 🤣. Do you work from home and look after your child to save £ on childcare? If so, how is it? I know it can't be easy in anyway. Does anyone find it ok and not so bad? Thanks in advance! X

I coped for about 6 weeks and realised I was just doing a shit job of both. I also had to be really careful my employer didn't realise baby was at home. It was was all very stressful and I definitely would not recommend. My baby was only 3 months at the time too so not moving or making much noise - can't imagine what it's like with a crawler/walker.

It was allowed during lockdown as working parents had no alternatives in most cases. It's generally not allowed, not fair on you or baby and pretty much unproductive. Your baby will also need a lot of stimulation and toddlers have endless energy so need access to toddlers groups, outside play etc none of which you can do when WFH fully. Don't underestimate the importance of social activities and stimulation on babies and toddlers development as without enough of them many kids do (and have struggled).

My dh works full time from home. I care for the kids as I work different hours to him. His colleagues toddlers are in nursery or a Childminder. Older children are in school. The older school aged children of maybe 9 plus tend to come home, have a snack and watch TV for a while but the parent finishes an hour after school finishes.

@Ihaveoflate

Yes, I'm in the UK. I think it's very common for nursery places to be reserved before the baby is even born in areas where childcare options are limited or your chosen setting is very popular. If I were you, I'd start enquiring now.

Perfect! Thank you so much for this information. I'm going to go down next week to my local nursery and get a form!

Don’t do it.

@Dammitthisisshit

Don’t do it.

Haha I won't. I was just curious if anyone manages it! Was interested to see if it was doable. But 100% of folk all agree it's most definitely not x

Once again thank you so much to everyone for all your honest responses. Will pop down to my local nursery and get a form to fill out on Monday! Can't believe you can apply before they are even here! Learn something new every day! X

@SoftPillow

We applied when our eldest was 2 weeks old and got a place in a popular London nursery. There will still be places.

You cannot work and look after a child, you obviously need childcare.

Thank you for this!

With the nursery spots - it may depend where you live. I originally reserved a space for DC when they were 10wks, with a view for them to start at 12/13 months. However, life got in the way and we ended up moving just as I was returning to work. I got a great childminder place with just a months notice. I moved again 3yrs later and whilst my options were more limited I still got a great nursery place for the days I wanted with similar notice. Worth asking around and making enquires to local nurseries/childminders.

@purplemunkey

With the nursery spots - it may depend where you live. I originally reserved a space for DC when they were 10wks, with a view for them to start at 12/13 months. However, life got in the way and we ended up moving just as I was returning to work. I got a great childminder place with just a months notice. I moved again 3yrs later and whilst my options were more limited I still got a great nursery place for the days I wanted with similar notice. Worth asking around and making enquires to local nurseries/childminders.

That's exactly what I will do! Thank you! X

Explicitly banned in my work. You can have self sufficient kids at home but even that is queried. If you would not leave them home alone you should arrange alternate childcare…

Did it during 2020-2021 (Child was 12months old to approx 27 months’old) ...I have an extremely flexible job with deadlines that I can make up for in the evenings. I was so tired and stressed, with no time for anything else.
Don’t do it.

We had no childcare for my first 6 weeks back from mat leave due to Covid. It was horrendous and basically I was doing a shit job at both things! I would also recommend organising a nursery place asap - ours was sorted by about 24 weeks pregnant. You will still be able to get a place if you wait but maybe won’t have so much choice, depending on your area.