Anybody else struggle with working from home?

[staranise]

As in, I'm meant to be working right now and am paying a fortune in childcare to enable me to do so but just can't get motivated, especially when I work sitting on my bed plus keep jumping up and down to put another load of washing on, tidy up some toys etc etc.

I normaly ban MN on work days but feeling weak today...

Wouldlove some colleagues to keep me focussed...

My constant struggle with freelancing is confining it to the hours in which I have childcare. And conversely really concentrating on work in that time. It never really seems to work out - there are always phone calls that have to be done on other days. And while I do promise myself a day off once in a blue moon as the upside of the freelance life - it never seems to happen and in the meantime I end up working evenings to catch up. Plus now I'm on here when I should be working...

My big hope is that it gets better when DS is at school five days a week. (so in about a year and a half!) I'm currently working three days a week - does this translate well to five school days?

I'm not a natural stay-at-home person either so when I do work I always take on too much so I am constantly busy, which I moan about at the time but secretly thrive on. DH does envy me because he used to be freelance and he LOVED it. So did I as I'd ring on my way home from work and say 'what's for tea tonight?' He cooked every night lucky me in those days.

My friends do envy me because they see getting a job would mean finding all-day childcare whereas working at home means you can be more flexible with childcare. I'm not sure what to do with DS3 - whether to find him a childminder for mornings or whether to work around his naps for a while. That's what I did with DS2 from 6 months until he was 12 months and then I found a childminder.

I'm half way through my maternity leave - due to start back 1 May.

Just found this thread! I too work from home. I am struggling with motivation right now alot! Which is why I'm supposed to be working right now but am instead on MN!

I worked around naps until now - DC3 is 14 months, and I struggled to complete my last project in his nap time so he's now started at a nursery one day a week, within school hours - nowhere near anought time but i can't justify more childcare expense just yet.

Completely agree Tantie - I do bits of work everyday but am very inefficient when at my desk - hence the MNetting! Talking of which, DC3 is asleep adn DD1 & 2 are out so had better try and do something...Have a nice weekend everyone...

I am so of you all. I would love to be able to work from home but as I haven't worked full time since dc3 was born I'm having a hard enough time finding any kind of work. I know the grass is always greener etc but I wish I could moan about working from home too .

I'm another one struggling, not helped that DP gets bored easily and is always asking me to watch DVD's with him etc. I wish we had a spare room where I could set up the PC and shut the door. Or a babysitter for DP...

Trying to work again tonight, worked last night until 11pm so pretty happy with that. Need to do millions of work tonight though!! Better get down to it I suppose...

We should do that thing suggested at the beginning of the thread, about telling each other to work and setting time limits, I'd be up for it if anyone else would?

Yes, AandO, I need some discipline! It doesn't help that I have started doing some writing for my own pleasaure which I really really enjoy but it is (as yet!) unpaid and therefore just a further distraction from my 'real' work. Am going to make a bargain that daytime work can be unpaid/'career investment' stuff and evenings/days when I have childcare are purely paid stuff. And no MNetting while doing 'proper' stuff!

staranise - how did the first day at nursery go?

So useful to hear everyones thoughts and experiences - and sobering to hear from those who would love to work at home! Some mums at toddlers this morning were saying how much they'd love to work from home..

Right am supposed to be working but am straight on here instead - am going away until 3pm. Honest!

Hello, I actually worked on Fri, Sat and Sun nights once ds was in bed and then sent my report in first thing this morning! I'm delighted. As a reward to myself I have spent today looking up research as I'm thinking of going back to do my phd. My paid work will be over in the summer and so I thought I would like to do my phd.

it went really well thanks hatty - I had spent the whole week settling him in and it seemed to work, he was happy as anything when i picked him up. Except I think he might have chicken pox (again! he had it v mildly as a baby)...which would mean no nursery this week...
But he is having his secodn nap of the day so I get some bonus baby-free time and will do some (paid) work while I have the chance.

Well done on your report AandO, working weekend nights is above and beyond, you deserve some time off!