I've been working from home with kids for years. It can be distracting — but so is working in the office.

 

A Decade of Work-from-Home Parenting

In 2012, my husband and I traded our office jobs for a year of global travel. Upon our return, we ventured into remote work, establishing a home-based energy efficiency consulting business. Over the next decade, this arrangement proved to be a perfect fit for our family.

As a homebody, I thrived in the flexibility and comfort of working remotely. Even with the challenges of parenting, I have no desire to return to an office environment. Our children have grown up in a work-from-home household, and while it presents unique challenges, it has also offered numerous benefits.

When our first child was born in 2014, I reduced my hours to part-time while my husband continued working full-time. Initially, our children struggled to understand the concept of "going to work" as a physical departure. However, our work-from-home setup remained largely unchanged, even during and after the pandemic.

The early years of parenting while working remotely were the most demanding. Juggling childcare, household tasks, and work responsibilities was a constant balancing act. We relied on occasional help from grandparents and affordable childcare options like half-day camps. Despite the challenges, we prioritized flexibility and saved money by avoiding the costs of full-time childcare.

One of the greatest advantages of working from home with children is the ability to schedule work around their needs. I can take breaks to handle chores or enjoy quality time with my kids. These moments of agency contribute to a more balanced lifestyle.

I've also cherished the spontaneous interactions with my children, such as them drawing beside me or climbing into my lap. Working from home allows me to be present for their daily activities, like playing in the yard, without the constraint of a traditional workday.

While the blurred lines between work and home can be challenging, I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The distractions of children can be disruptive, but I find them preferable to the constant interruptions and sensory overload of an office environment.

My husband is currently between jobs, allowing him to take on childcare responsibilities. However, I intend to maintain my work-from-home lifestyle due to its positive impact on my work-life balance.

I empathize with parents facing mandatory return-to-office policies. Flexibility is crucial for many working parents, and enforcing strict RTO requirements can hinder their ability to balance work and family life.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to work from home or in an office is a personal one. For our family, remote work has been a successful and fulfilling choice.