My spouse recently struck gold in the job market and got a fantastic chance to work remotely. Initially, we were thrilled at the thought of him working from home. Goodbye, long commute! Hello, extra family time in the mornings and evenings! Plus, the dream of “Family Lunch Time” danced in my head. For a brief moment, everything seemed perfect. But as a stay-at-home mom to three little ones, the reality of having a “Home Office” quickly set in and it just wouldn’t work for our family.
Need to make a call, sweetie? Good luck with that.
A significant portion of my husband’s job involves chatting with clients on the phone. Let me tell you, trying to talk on the phone while kids are around is a recipe for chaos. I’ve tried it, and the moment the phone rings, my kids transform into little attention-seeking missiles. Oh, and did I mention how loud three kids can be? We’d either need to soundproof a room or teach them the fine art of whispering—neither of which is going to happen anytime soon.
Sorry, kiddos, Daddy can’t join your playtime right now.
My husband is the ultimate Fun Dad. When he gets home, he’s the Sword Fighter, the Body-Slamming Wrestler, the Tiara-Wearing Tea Party Guest, and more. I do my fair share of fun too, but let’s be honest—it’s just not the same when Dad’s around. If he worked from home, I’d be tasked with the full-time job of keeping the kids from bursting into his workspace.
And no, he can’t just “watch the kids for a minute.”
There have been countless times as a mom that the thought of running a simple errand nearly pushed me to tears. I’m not talking about the big trips, like grocery shopping or back-to-school hauls. I mean those quick, spontaneous errands that used to be a breeze. Now, with kids, diapers, car seats, and snack packs to consider, a quick visit to the post office can take an hour. An hour!
If my husband worked from home, “Babe, I need to mail this package. You good with the kids?” would quickly become a regular occurrence. And I’d probably start relishing my newfound freedom a bit too much. Wow, I was in and out in three minutes! Time for a coffee stop! Oh look, it’s Lisa! I haven’t seen her in forever! Sure, Lisa, I’d love to sit and catch up over these delicious lattes!
And let’s be real, he can’t just pop out for a latte either.
What’s the point of having another adult at home if one of them can’t take a break to fetch coffee for the team? Absolutely none.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Sure, by the time my husband returns home, I’m worn out from a long day of tending to the physical, emotional, and social needs of our trio. I’ve given everything I’ve had to give, often neglecting my own needs for food, bathroom breaks, and grown-up conversations. I’ve made it through another day without losing it: “EVERYONE JUST STOP TOUCHING ME!” Or maybe I haven’t. Maybe I’ve lost my patience entirely.
But my husband has had a long day too. He’s worked hard and is tired as well.
There’s nothing quite like greeting him at the door with a cold drink in one hand and a kiddo in the other. I give him a kiss and hand off the fussy little one who’s been glued to me for the last three hours. “Good luck!” I cheerfully call out as I step outside for some much-needed fresh air. “The boys are in timeout, and she’s a handful. See you in a bit!”
My 5 p.m. Daddy’s Home! Alone Time is sacred, so sorry love, you might not need to commute, but you definitely can’t work here.
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In summary, while the idea of working from home sounds appealing, the reality can be far more chaotic than expected—especially in a household with little ones. Ensuring a smooth day for everyone often means keeping work and home life separate.