Question for Sahms Who Worked Out of the Home - Could You Actually WORK?

K.,

As one other person mentioned - with working at home with children is like having 2 FT jobs.

I have been working from home for 3 1/2 yrs and I do Data Entry, so unless I work I don't get paid. Hours are flexible but at times too flexible and I find myself working until 10-11pm at night in order to get my work done (since I couldn't get much during the day).
My kids are 10 1/2, 4 1/2 and 6 months. My husband is home until 2pm each day so that helps me out a bit. Even than, I still have to help with the 2 younger ones as my oldest is in school and my husband is busy around the house (he never sits down..lol). My only quiet time is from about 2pm-4pm for nap time for my 2 youngest. When my oldest is home at night she helps out alot - something your boyfriend doesn't have during the day.

If your daughter is content with just sitting in her bouncy chair or swing while Daddy is working that would be best. At 3 months old they usually don't need as much attention (some do though). He could also get work done while she sleeps. Other than that, when you are home at night.

If it wasn't for my husband being home during the morning and having my 10yr olds help at night - I would never get any work done....

I feel so guilty when I sit here working and my 6 month old is just sitting in a chair watching me. I feel like I should be playing with her - teaching her sit up and all that stuff....

So...it is doable - It will just take ALOT of patience and work....

1 mom found this helpful

Its doable but a lot depends on the child and the parent! My son is very energetic and not easily appeased, he loves to be moving out and about and the center of attention. I therefore get maybe 1 hour of work done a day. I guess it depends on your boyfriends business. Mine allows for totally flexible hours and is very family friendly. I take my son with me everywhere I go and rarely have to find someone to watch him so I can talk business. (willing to share info on my business if you want, just let me know). As soon as your daughter can feed herself having the highchair (or bouncy while she takes a bottle) near his desk will give him 15 minutes of time a few times a day. If she naps well then he should be able to get a good solid hour in. So basically if he works from home he will be caring for your daughter and working and the house will be a total disaster zone. So if he can work in 15 minute spurts throughout the day he may be able to accomplish stuff, but he does have to be very motivated. Best of luck to both of you and again let me know if you want some info on our business!

1 mom found this helpful

I write a parenting blog from home with my 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter. It's definitely doable for me, but it is a lot of work and it takes careful consideration of time and attention. My husband is wonderful, but I don't know that he could do it...I don't know that men are as good at multitasking in this area.

I suggest your boyfriend start keeping a time journal to see how he's actually spending his time. Taking care of a baby surely can take an entire day...it all depends on priorities.

Relationship stress along with financial stress is never a good combination. Make sure you stay open and discuss things honestly so resentment doesn't build up. I wish you the best!

I'm a consultant who works from home, and it can be tricky. The only reliable time for things like conference calls or uninterrupted work is naptime (about 1-2 hours in the late morning, maybe 2 more hours in the afternoon). Anything that can't get done during those times gets done when the kids are in bed at night. If it's a particularly big project, I will lock myself in a room at 7 and my husband handles bedtime. This gives me 3-5 hours at night to work if I need it. I find that it's much easier to "double task" when the kids are awake if I'm doing household stuff with them and involving them (like cleaning, shopping, etc.) as opposed to trying to work while they're up. Flexibility is key, and a place to go for peace and quiet helps. :)

Hi K.!
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Hi K.,

I do not work from home, but am a full time college student, so I do understand the notion of needing to get things done (i.e. homework, projects, research, writing, etc.) while staying at home with a young child. I have twin boys who were premature and 4 months when I went back to school. They are now 19 months.

For some people, like me, I found it too challenging to get "work" done at home while caring for my boys. I either wasn't there mentally or was physically busy with the boys. It only gets harder as the child sleeps less and become mobile, and for me I finally realized that the only way I could concentrate and get things done was by leaving the house. For your boyfriend, this might mean creating an "office" somewhere where he can isolate himself for a few hours each day to get things done.

It took me about 6 months to learn how I worked efficiently. I think once you realize - or your boyfriend realizes - what works and what DOESN'T work for him, he can find ways to work around it. It's just a matter of whether or not both of you have the time and money to spend on this learning curve.

Good luck to both of you!