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Self-employed work-at-home (with a toddler) schedule

3 replies

Times10 · 16/05/2021 16:11

I am ‘trying’ to work from home with a toddler, which means I’m lucky if I have a 2 hour slot a day to do anything, while DC naps. And by working while they nap, it means housework becomes twice as hard to complete when they’re awake!

I’m really struggling to create a schedule that optimises more work time, as well as one where the housework /dinners are sorted between school runs.

I’m not currently working to deadlines, it’s more, the more work I do, the more I could possibly earn, but at the moment I’d be lucky to get more than 10 hours of work time during the week. I also need to try and work during the weekends, but after a week of trying to juggle looking after the toddler, and the older DCs before and after school, I feel completely wiped out.

I’m pretty sure I could overhaul the way I do things to create more working time and stay on top of the normal SAHM duties. (I’ve only just started working so there’s no income coming in yet, and when it does, it’ll be too sporadic at first to pay for childcare) but am struggling to figure it out by myself, so I thought I would ask here, if you’re in a similar situation, how do you manage it all?

OP posts:
StarryStrawberry · 16/05/2021 16:15

Hi, I'm self employed and wfh and have a just turned 3 yr old. Sorry not very helpful but I have to use childcare! We have a lovely childminder who started off taking him 3 hrs per day. Now he does a bit longer - 9am-2pm which is nice as we can spend time together and do stuff in the afternoon.

I'll be honest I do usually end up working in the evenings too.. shall be watching this thread for tips 🤞🏻

AlwaysColdHands · 16/05/2021 16:27

Are they an early waker? I’ve been in similar position needing to study several hours a day, and used to ear mark three slots in the day where I aimed to work:
5-7am
During lunchtime nap
Evening, after bedtime.

Averaged 3/4 hours on a good day, 4 or 5 days a week. Exhausting but necessary!
Agree with pp about a bit of childcare if possible though, as living like this allows for no relaxation or self care

Times10 · 16/05/2021 17:39

They are sleeping a bit later than before, so I could try an early start, and if I use the time in the evening to make a plan for the next day I might be able to save time going into the task.

I do think long term a childminder will be necessary, but we really can’t juggle the finances for it at the moment.

OP posts:
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