How do you deal with wfh and having a toddler?

[FerreroRochey]

How do you ensure you work, and keep your little one entertained?

Two options:

1. You pay for childcare
2. You resign yourself to either neglecting your child, getting fired for low performance, or both.

1. stop trolling Mumsnet

You don't, you pay for childcare

I use a nursery! I only WFH with DD present in emergencies, usually when she is ill and even then I split the day with DH so we get part of the day focussed. I would not be permitted to WFH without childcare regularly.

One word.

childcare.

sorry if that’s not helpful, but this makes me really cross. You are working. You cannot dedicate your time to your job whilst caring for a toddler. And you can’t care for a toddler safely and responsibly whilst working from home. You just can’t.

this is EXACTLY why people think women are taking the piss when they want to work from home

You don't. You either look after your child (and you are not working in a paid job) or someone else looks after them.
There is no in between. Sorry.

Agree with above.

Childcare. That's how.

In a lot of jobs where WFH is available, there are rules about not working when you are providing childcare etc. The pandemic was a one-off as childcare was closed so there was no alternative, but most employers demand an employee is present and attentive during work hours (which is totally understandable - you wouldn't be able to take toddler into the office if you weren't WFH).

You can't work effectively or keep your toddler entertained (and sometimes safe) while trying to do both.

I did it during various lockdowns because I had no childcare. It was a nightmare. But my boss knew that I was trying and was very understanding. I was taken off of phone calls, it was understood that I would be available as and when, they just appreciated the help.

I do it now very occasionally, just while DH does the school run for dd1 alone if it's raining etc rather than take dd2.

Long term, not sustainable.