Because of the pandemic, many have learned what I have known for years. Working from home can be a challenge, but it can also be amazing!
I have been a working mom pretty much since I was pregnant with my oldest, 6 years ago.
We had just moved to a small town in Maine and realized we were expecting. I wasn't sure how brutal the winters would be and we only had one car, so I looked feverishly for a remote position. After a few months, I was hired as an insurance broker and quickly learned to juggle the (at that time) more unconventional work-from-home job.
It is definitely different from the traditional work setting. However there are many pros and cons to this kind of work.
Pros
Flexible Schedules
Working from home gives me so much freedom to make my own schedule. As a parent, time truly is so precious.
Those last few months of pregnancy and first few months of parenthood are brutal- to sum it up lightly. There are so many doctor appointments, and that's even if things are going well for you and baby! If not, you practically live at the doctor's office or hospital.
The flexible scheduling allowed with working from home has truly made it feel possible to be a working mom. If I needed to work more early in the morning, late at night, or during the day while the baby napped, it was totally doable because of a work-from-home job.
And now with three kids, the juggling might be more, but I'm still capable because of that freedom that work-from-home scheduling offers.
Mental Distraction
Another thing I feel is a pro, is that some form of work (outside of parenthood and household chores) can sometimes seem like a mental break. Parenthood is beautiful, but it can be draining if you don't have some sort of outlet. I found that outlet by working even after becoming a mother.
Save on Childcare Tuition
The cost of childcare is truly no joke. When my oldest attended, the average was about $1000 a month. I've noticed while shopping around for potentially my two youngest, the cost for just one kid has gone up about 50%!
Depending on the work you do, you might be able to work from home and have your babies around you. That is thousands of dollars in savings a year! Maybe even a month!
No Commute
Your remote position may have little to no commute. With today's technology, a lot of work can be done virtually (as many have come to learn from the pandemic). This can be such a blessing and save so much on time and gas- especially with today's gas prices going up with no end in sight.
Cons
While having this kind of work as a parent truly has its rewards, there are some downsides.
Lack of Socialization
I do miss interacting regularly with other adults. You do feel pretty isolated at the lack of social opportunities you would have with a typical on-site job. This point has always been the most challenging since I began working remotely years ago. So my best suggestion would be to make sure you find other ways to socialize- such as joining a gym, church group, or business chamber.
No Breaks
Another downside is feeling like you absolutely NEVER have a break! Working from home as a parent means you might be able to keep the kids with you and save on childcare. However, you are in a dance of two simultaneous, full-time jobs where you are making business calls and changing diapers in between. It is possible, as I have done it for years. But it can feel mentally, emotionally, and physically draining at times.
It is very easy to neglect yourself when doing this. So make sure you take care of yourself and physically write down a break in your work schedule if you know you would easily "power through". And don't eat lunch while working. I've done it and always regret it because my mind would never have a chance to clear on those days.
The Background Meltdown
Most phone calls and video meetings go pretty well. However out of the blue, one of my three boys has been known to scream like a banshee while I'm trying to explain recent data and strategies to a client. This can be unnerving because you want to come off serious and professional, but kids do make noise. And this kind of situation is inevitable if you work from home with kids.
Most people have become very understanding about it. Especially the last two years given everything. Just make sure you give them a heads up at the beginning of the call that you have kids, and it's not an actual WWE showdown happening right behind you.
So overall, while working from home as a parent can have its challenges, I find that it has many more advantages than a traditional work setting. I have and will continue to advocate for work-from-home to be considered for parents and anyone else who needs that flexibility.
If you haven't yet worked from home and are considering it, I hope this helped give you insight as to the pros and cons of this work setting. If you have, especially because of COVID-19, I would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to drop a comment to share your story!
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