Parents Working From Home: Myth #1

Working from home. It sounds ideal. No need to leave the house, no childcare costs, wearing whatever you want to work...the list is long. It's difficult to imagine there is a downside, but there is. With this series I hope to address some of the issues that create the 'down side' of being a work-from-home parent.

The Myth: If I'm working from home, I won't need childcare.

The Truth: Working from home is difficult with children at home with you. The kids need to be watched over, they need to be fed, they need interactive play, and they want their mom or dad to pay attention to them. If your job is flexible, you may find a workable solution by creating your work schedule and work times around your child's needs. This isn't the norm, however. Most people who work from home need to have time during 'office hours' for phone calls, meetings, conferences, and such. Some may be able to schedule meetings and calls for naptime.

Solution: If you can't manage a schedule geared toward your child's needs, consider hiring a sitter or a part-time childcare situation. It isn't easy, but with some creativity it may work. Others, with higher needs children, may need to keep their child in daycare in order to get anything done. Another option, of course, is to change jobs or positions so that work can be done early mornings or later evenings, and spend your days caring for and playing with your child.

The seriousness of this issue was brought home to me when a local man, a stay at home parent, was arrested for child abuse. I am not making light of the fact that this man's daughter had to be hospitalized due to his abuse, nor am I saying if he had childcare his daughter would be fine. However, working from home while caring for an infant or toddler often creates tension, and even anger. Putting the abuse issue aside, this type of situation isn't good for the child or the parent.

My hope is that, as more parents begin working from home, they are able to manage a schedule that allows for loving, peaceful, and playful times with their child as well as quiet work periods.