Help me figure out how to work from home with a toddler

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I accepted a position working from home from 1pm - 9 pm. This position is 3 weekdays and weekends. I have a 2 year old who still take 2-3 hour naps and my husband is home by 5:30 pm. I am actually more concerned about the 5:30-9 pm chuck of time because my toddler can be really loud and we live in a 1 bedroom apartment. I have to work from our walk in closet. It's the quietest place in our apartment. I wish I could rent an office space or something. I have to be directly connected to the internet with a cable cord though and office space in my area is very expensive. Help me brain storm ways to make this work. I really want to make this work. My 2 year old goes to sleep around 9 pm- 10 pm. He's a great sleeper.

Why does a 2yo go to bed that late?? My 7yo doesn’t even go to bed that late (sleeps 8:30-7).

You said he doesn’t wake up until 8:30am. I’d work on slowly shifting his bedtime and wake time to earlier—say, 8:30p-7:30a. This would be more in line with a preschool schedule, since you say he’ll be going at age 4. Switching now may make the transition a tiny bit easier when he goes.

Also, that’ll help give your husband a bit of a break if he can get your son to bed by 8:30 and then have some downtime before he goes to bed himself.

Plenty of Asian children go to bed late. Maybe her husband wants to spend more time with the child. I am assuming they still cosleep. How else do they live in a 1 bedroom with 3 people?

[Anonymous]

This is almost certainly a call center rep job.

It IS different than jobs most people have. You have to sign in (that’s why it has to be wired), from your PC. You have to get a certain number of hours in, but you aren’t obligated to be signed in without interruption.

So that means OP can take a call, hit pause, check on kid, unpause, etc. it’s far more workable than a “normal” gig.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I accepted a position working from home from 1pm - 9 pm. This position is 3 weekdays and weekends. I have a 2 year old who still take 2-3 hour naps and my husband is home by 5:30 pm. I am actually more concerned about the 5:30-9 pm chuck of time because my toddler can be really loud and we live in a 1 bedroom apartment. I have to work from our walk in closet. It's the quietest place in our apartment. I wish I could rent an office space or something. I have to be directly connected to the internet with a cable cord though and office space in my area is very expensive. Help me brain storm ways to make this work. I really want to make this work. My 2 year old goes to sleep around 9 pm- 10 pm. He's a great sleeper.

Why does a 2yo go to bed that late?? My 7yo doesn’t even go to bed that late (sleeps 8:30-7).

You said he doesn’t wake up until 8:30am. I’d work on slowly shifting his bedtime and wake time to earlier—say, 8:30p-7:30a. This would be more in line with a preschool schedule, since you say he’ll be going at age 4. Switching now may make the transition a tiny bit easier when he goes.

Also, that’ll help give your husband a bit of a break if he can get your son to bed by 8:30 and then have some downtime before he goes to bed himself.

Plenty of Asian children go to bed late. Maybe her husband wants to spend more time with the child. I am assuming they still cosleep. How else do they live in a 1 bedroom with 3 people?

PP here. Where did OP say she was Asian? If she didn't, are you referring to children who live in Asia? I'm not sure what that would have to do with her post or this situation. Here, most toddlers go to bed earlier and wake up earlier than OP's. I'm suggesting she try to shift her kids sleep hours to make her job work for the next year or so until her kids starts preschool (when he'll have to wake earlier by necessity).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is almost certainly a call center rep job.

It IS different than jobs most people have. You have to sign in (that’s why it has to be wired), from your PC. You have to get a certain number of hours in, but you aren’t obligated to be signed in without interruption.

So that means OP can take a call, hit pause, check on kid, unpause, etc. it’s far more workable than a “normal” gig.

No, I don't think it's workable at all, not if she actually wants to be able to do her job. How is she going to get through a call when her toddler starts screaming? Hang up on the customer? Unless there are serious financial reasons to have to do this, it doesn't make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I accepted a position working from home from 1pm - 9 pm. This position is 3 weekdays and weekends. I have a 2 year old who still take 2-3 hour naps and my husband is home by 5:30 pm. I am actually more concerned about the 5:30-9 pm chuck of time because my toddler can be really loud and we live in a 1 bedroom apartment. I have to work from our walk in closet. It's the quietest place in our apartment. I wish I could rent an office space or something. I have to be directly connected to the internet with a cable cord though and office space in my area is very expensive. Help me brain storm ways to make this work. I really want to make this work. My 2 year old goes to sleep around 9 pm- 10 pm. He's a great sleeper.

Why does a 2yo go to bed that late?? My 7yo doesn’t even go to bed that late (sleeps 8:30-7).

You said he doesn’t wake up until 8:30am. I’d work on slowly shifting his bedtime and wake time to earlier—say, 8:30p-7:30a. This would be more in line with a preschool schedule, since you say he’ll be going at age 4. Switching now may make the transition a tiny bit easier when he goes.

Also, that’ll help give your husband a bit of a break if he can get your son to bed by 8:30 and then have some downtime before he goes to bed himself.

Plenty of Asian children go to bed late. Maybe her husband wants to spend more time with the child. I am assuming they still cosleep. How else do they live in a 1 bedroom with 3 people?

PP here. Where did OP say she was Asian? If she didn't, are you referring to children who live in Asia? I'm not sure what that would have to do with her post or this situation. Here, most toddlers go to bed earlier and wake up earlier than OP's. I'm suggesting she try to shift her kids sleep hours to make her job work for the next year or so until her kids starts preschool (when he'll have to wake earlier by necessity).

PP again. Just adding that I think you're right that they cosleep. The only families I know that have toddlers going to bed that late all cosleep (kids won't settle down before parents come to bed). I agree this could make shifting the bedtime earlier more challenging if kid isn't in his own bed.

[Anonymous]

You can't work from home with a toddler. They see you there and want your attention. I've been working at home for the past 5 years and had a sitter when my child was a toddler. Having a sitter is the only way it can work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I accepted a position working from home from 1pm - 9 pm. This position is 3 weekdays and weekends. I have a 2 year old who still take 2-3 hour naps and my husband is home by 5:30 pm. I am actually more concerned about the 5:30-9 pm chuck of time because my toddler can be really loud and we live in a 1 bedroom apartment. I have to work from our walk in closet. It's the quietest place in our apartment. I wish I could rent an office space or something. I have to be directly connected to the internet with a cable cord though and office space in my area is very expensive. Help me brain storm ways to make this work. I really want to make this work. My 2 year old goes to sleep around 9 pm- 10 pm. He's a great sleeper.

Why does a 2yo go to bed that late?? My 7yo doesn’t even go to bed that late (sleeps 8:30-7).

You said he doesn’t wake up until 8:30am. I’d work on slowly shifting his bedtime and wake time to earlier—say, 8:30p-7:30a. This would be more in line with a preschool schedule, since you say he’ll be going at age 4. Switching now may make the transition a tiny bit easier when he goes.

Also, that’ll help give your husband a bit of a break if he can get your son to bed by 8:30 and then have some downtime before he goes to bed himself.

Plenty of Asian children go to bed late. Maybe her husband wants to spend more time with the child. I am assuming they still cosleep. How else do they live in a 1 bedroom with 3 people?

PP here. Where did OP say she was Asian? If she didn't, are you referring to children who live in Asia? I'm not sure what that would have to do with her post or this situation. Here, most toddlers go to bed earlier and wake up earlier than OP's. I'm suggesting she try to shift her kids sleep hours to make her job work for the next year or so until her kids starts preschool (when he'll have to wake earlier by necessity).

PP again. Just adding that I think you're right that they cosleep. The only families I know that have toddlers going to bed that late all cosleep (kids won't settle down before parents come to bed). I agree this could make shifting the bedtime earlier more challenging if kid isn't in his own bed.

There are lots of international families living in the US with later bedtimes. I don't know if the late bedtime is something op needs to be concerned about now. Her child is only 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to work. The job doesn't sound great. It's causing you a lot of stress....why don't you just wait until your kid is 4?

Op. I am just so depressed not working. I was a nanny for 8 years before I became a SAHM. I tried to find a job where I could bring my child to work with me but I haven't had luck. Florida doesn't have a good market for nannies. I really want to work in another field. I am burnt of from taking care of young children. It's so draining.

Is there any job that you can do outside of the house that pays enough (or has enough growth) to make childcare worth it? I mean, if you are depressed and burnt out from watching your child, seems like adding a job while still watching your child is a recipe for disaster. Honestly, this schedule sounds awful with very little upside, not just for you, but for your husband and child also. There's no downtime for anyone! Find a job outside of the house and get childcare.

Pp are you really this dense? Op was a nanny before becoming a SAHM. I don't think it's possible for her to find a job that's pays enough to pay for decent childcare. Lots of couples work alternating schedule's.

Plenty of people find jobs that cover childcare. It doesn't have to be DC-priced center care. Do you think only white collar professionals have children? If she's depressed at staying home, she's better off even if it only covers childcare, especially if there's benefits and/or potential to make more later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to work. The job doesn't sound great. It's causing you a lot of stress....why don't you just wait until your kid is 4?

Op. I am just so depressed not working. I was a nanny for 8 years before I became a SAHM. I tried to find a job where I could bring my child to work with me but I haven't had luck. Florida doesn't have a good market for nannies. I really want to work in another field. I am burnt of from taking care of young children. It's so draining.

Is there any job that you can do outside of the house that pays enough (or has enough growth) to make childcare worth it? I mean, if you are depressed and burnt out from watching your child, seems like adding a job while still watching your child is a recipe for disaster. Honestly, this schedule sounds awful with very little upside, not just for you, but for your husband and child also. There's no downtime for anyone! Find a job outside of the house and get childcare.

Pp are you really this dense? Op was a nanny before becoming a SAHM. I don't think it's possible for her to find a job that's pays enough to pay for decent childcare. Lots of couples work alternating schedule's.

Plenty of people find jobs that cover childcare. It doesn't have to be DC-priced center care. Do you think only white collar professionals have children? If she's depressed at staying home, she's better off even if it only covers childcare, especially if there's benefits and/or potential to make more later.

You think a former nanny is going to be ok with daycare? As a nanny myself I don't think so. We have seen everything. I think that's why most nannies become SAHM.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you didn't need child care and could do any job in the world, what would you do? What is appealing about that job?

On one hand, it might make sense to do this job because it's a way to get started. On the other hand, it might make sense to think about where you want to go and make sure you're picking a job that could have a path to what you want to do long-term.

I have a job where I sometimes have to work from home with one of my kids (like when they're sick and I need to get some things done, or there's bad weather and school is closed). It is incredibly stressful. You can't plan for what a 2-year-old is going to do for hours on end when you're trying to work by phone. Some days they might have a poop or make a huge mess or not feel like watching TV when you're in the middle of an important call. It sounds nice to be able to get some hours of work in while having your beloved child around, but the time goes by SO slowly and you're stressed almost the entire time. You are not going to enjoy hiding in a closet while your husband and child walk on eggshells in the house.

I would recommend trying to find another job that will be a better fit for your personal goals and your family set up long-term.

[Anonymous]

A couple of thoughts …

1.) Can you request to keep your schedule at 15 hours? That seems a lot more doable than 35, especially when you are piecing together child care and hoping for the best.

2.) Can you scrap this whole idea and get a job in retail, doing evening shifts after your husband gets home? I think the isolated nature of this job you're about to start won't really cure your depression. Getting out of the house and working with nice people might.

I'm not trying to pile on you, but your scenario sounds kind of stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to work. The job doesn't sound great. It's causing you a lot of stress....why don't you just wait until your kid is 4?

Op. I am just so depressed not working. I was a nanny for 8 years before I became a SAHM. I tried to find a job where I could bring my child to work with me but I haven't had luck. Florida doesn't have a good market for nannies. I really want to work in another field. I am burnt of from taking care of young children. It's so draining.

Is there any job that you can do outside of the house that pays enough (or has enough growth) to make childcare worth it? I mean, if you are depressed and burnt out from watching your child, seems like adding a job while still watching your child is a recipe for disaster. Honestly, this schedule sounds awful with very little upside, not just for you, but for your husband and child also. There's no downtime for anyone! Find a job outside of the house and get childcare.

Pp are you really this dense? Op was a nanny before becoming a SAHM. I don't think it's possible for her to find a job that's pays enough to pay for decent childcare. Lots of couples work alternating schedule's.

Plenty of people find jobs that cover childcare. It doesn't have to be DC-priced center care. Do you think only white collar professionals have children? If she's depressed at staying home, she's better off even if it only covers childcare, especially if there's benefits and/or potential to make more later.

You think a former nanny is going to be ok with daycare? As a nanny myself I don't think so. We have seen everything. I think that's why most nannies become SAHM.

Plenty of former nannies are okay with daycare for their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple of thoughts …

1.) Can you request to keep your schedule at 15 hours? That seems a lot more doable than 35, especially when you are piecing together child care and hoping for the best.

2.) Can you scrap this whole idea and get a job in retail, doing evening shifts after your husband gets home? I think the isolated nature of this job you're about to start won't really cure your depression. Getting out of the house and working with nice people might.

I'm not trying to pile on you, but your scenario sounds kind of stressful.

Retail pays minimum wage and op would still need a babysitter for the hour's before her husband gets off work. She would be bringing home maybe $30 after childcare. Nah. I would stick with the work from home job myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to work. The job doesn't sound great. It's causing you a lot of stress....why don't you just wait until your kid is 4?

Op. I am just so depressed not working. I was a nanny for 8 years before I became a SAHM. I tried to find a job where I could bring my child to work with me but I haven't had luck. Florida doesn't have a good market for nannies. I really want to work in another field. I am burnt of from taking care of young children. It's so draining.

Is there any job that you can do outside of the house that pays enough (or has enough growth) to make childcare worth it? I mean, if you are depressed and burnt out from watching your child, seems like adding a job while still watching your child is a recipe for disaster. Honestly, this schedule sounds awful with very little upside, not just for you, but for your husband and child also. There's no downtime for anyone! Find a job outside of the house and get childcare.

Pp are you really this dense? Op was a nanny before becoming a SAHM. I don't think it's possible for her to find a job that's pays enough to pay for decent childcare. Lots of couples work alternating schedule's.

Plenty of people find jobs that cover childcare. It doesn't have to be DC-priced center care. Do you think only white collar professionals have children? If she's depressed at staying home, she's better off even if it only covers childcare, especially if there's benefits and/or potential to make more later.

You think a former nanny is going to be ok with daycare? As a nanny myself I don't think so. We have seen everything. I think that's why most nannies become SAHM.

Yeah, I’m sure that’s why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple of thoughts …

1.) Can you request to keep your schedule at 15 hours? That seems a lot more doable than 35, especially when you are piecing together child care and hoping for the best.

2.) Can you scrap this whole idea and get a job in retail, doing evening shifts after your husband gets home? I think the isolated nature of this job you're about to start won't really cure your depression. Getting out of the house and working with nice people might.

I'm not trying to pile on you, but your scenario sounds kind of stressful.

My mom did #2 when we were young, maybe 2-3 night last per week. A high schooler in the neighborhood would come watch us for an hour or two until my dad got home. She’d have a shift on the weekend too. Of course this was when babysitters were cheaper than minimum wage. But it still just gave her a chance to get out of the house and have more adult interaction. Once my youngest sibling was in school, she got a job as a teachers assistant at an elementary school. Didn’t pay a ton but I was old enough to let myself in after school by then and she had summers/school holidays off. That might be a good option for OP once her child is in school, particularly with her background as a nanny.