DING! It’s nearly impossible to discern which notification just pinged on my phone, competing with the sounds of my kids immersed in their favorite show and the rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the keyboard. What I do know is that I have an endless to-do list, and only a fleeting moment to tackle a couple of tasks before the evening bus rolls in, bringing my 12 and 13-year-olds back home. Then it’s a whirlwind of homework help, dinner prep, bath time, and bedtime, all while juggling a fair share of sibling squabbles. If I’m fortunate and focused, I might even enjoy a warm meal and a quick embrace—or a kiss—from my husband when he returns from his “real” job.
“Mommy, do you need to check your emails?” chirps my adorable four-year-old with big, curious eyes. Bless him! He probably understands more about iPhone notifications than anyone else I know, given how often he hears them. If only he knew how to respond to them!
When I first decided to work from home, I thought it was a brilliant idea. “What’s not to love?” I told my naive self three years ago. I could pursue a career I adore, earn a paycheck, stay home with my kids, set my own schedule, and still stay engaged with my family. It felt like the perfect arrangement!
Let me be clear: working from home is pretty fantastic, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I am incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. I cherish my kids, my job, and our life together.
However, here’s the catch—I’m trying to work with a four-year-old in the mix. I could stop right there, and if you’ve ever tried to focus on work while managing toddlers, you’ll understand my plight.
In the beginning, I attempted to create a dedicated workspace in the spare bedroom. “YES!” I thought, “I’ll have my own space away from distractions.” But that plan lasted only about a month. I quickly realized that I could hardly focus on anything for more than half an hour without being interrupted. And let’s face it, I didn’t want to leave my little one unsupervised for even a few minutes! I figured I’d work during nap times, playtime, or while he watched TV. Spoiler alert: toddlers don’t nap indefinitely, and they rarely play independently for long. So I decided to work a little during the day while also attending to household tasks, then devote my evenings to family time. The bulk of my real work would happen late at night after everyone was tucked into bed.
Fast forward to now: I haven’t hit the pillow before 2 or 3 a.m. in over a year. More often, it’s closer to 4 a.m., and sometimes I’m still awake when the birds begin to sing. I run on a mix of caffeine, nicotine, and Google Drive. I can’t remember the last time I folded laundry while actually resting, because my husband has to rise early for his job. We schedule babysitters for date nights, but I miss those quiet moments together at the end of the day.
And then there are friends and family who think working from home means I have all the free time in the world. You know, the classic gems like: “What do you DO all day?” or “Can’t you just do that tomorrow?” or “If I stayed home, my house would be spotless!” Sure, I’ll admit that working in pajamas is pretty sweet. I’ve even had to explain to my kids why I put on actual clothes and makeup for video conferences—because I don’t want my boss to see me looking like I rolled out of bed!
Let’s be clear: working from home doesn’t mean lounging around while collecting a paycheck. Real work still needs to be done, and it requires time and effort. Just because I’m not commuting to an office doesn’t mean I’m any less productive. My work hours may not align with traditional schedules, but I’m still doing my job and managing my life simultaneously.
While it may seem like the best of all worlds, I often feel like I’m falling short somewhere. I can’t give my full attention to my child because I have work to finish, and I can’t dive deep into my tasks because my little one needs me. Both responsibilities demand my attention, especially when the dryer buzzes, reminding me that laundry won’t fold itself!
In the chaos, I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. I thrive in this whirlwind, even if I sometimes think about how nice it would be to enjoy a bit of downtime.
Oh, wait! I remember—sleep. Sweet sleep. It’s something I can only dream about right now. But for now, it’s almost dawn, and I need to wake everyone up for work and school, whip up some breakfast, and throw in a load of laundry before I finally call it a night. Or, um, morning. Whatever.
In summary, while working from home presents its unique challenges, it offers an incredible opportunity to balance work and family life, albeit with a few late nights and caffeine-fueled days. If you’re interested in more about home insemination, check out this excellent resource or visit this authority on the topic.