Working Part Time from Home

I can't complain bc this job literally fell in my lap.
Long Story short... I left my job the end of May. The co. I worked for almost 13 years changed. They were taken over, been a while since i had a raise, they took away some responibilities and gave me more meanless and stressful work, etc.
At the time my son just was turning 3 and was accepted into the local special Ed preschool where he was going to get speech everyday.
He is thriving and loves going to school everyday for 2.5 hours. He's pretty much gone 3 hours of the day. I have a 16 month old at home with me. An agent I used to do some work with came to me bc a manager recommended me. They need someone to work part time in their events division and allowing me to work from home. They will provide laptop, phone, etc. I was given a good salary as well. How do I say no?! As much as I love being home I also do miss bringing in some money. I don't miss the long hours and not seeing the boys all day b/c they're in daycare 10 hours a day.
Ok... so it wasn't as short as I'd like.
Anyway, starting work today. Pretty much a conf call and getting me acclimated with everything. DS2 is sleeping and DS1 is in school.
How hard is it to work from home? Should I get a babysitter a couple of days a week? I don't want all my money going to a nanny bc whats the point of working?
I am lucky my dad lives close and is retired to help, but can't always help out.
I guess i need advise on how it is to work from home.
Any good tips?
So far my main thing is getting up early to get myself ready then the boys. I can do stuff at night too bc they go to sleep at 7.
Thanks!

Working Part Time from Home

I do not work from home but am able to when I need to. I NEVER get anything done with DS at home unless he is napping. THe days I work form home he still goes to daycare or I have soemone watch hime because otherwise I would not even be able to answer and email. My DS is 11 months and is always on the go. If your DS is not a go go go kid then you might be ok. I think it really depends on the child.

Working Part Time from Home

I have a 16 month old too and work part time. I could technically do my work from home, but choose to do it at the office because there is no way I would get anything done if I was alone with my 16 month old. She is all over the place when she isn't napping. I would maybe try it without a sitter and see if it is doable, but plan to have a back up babysitter if it isn't.

Working Part Time from Home

What is your PT work schedule going to be - can you just work the hours whenever or do you have set times that you are supposed to be working?

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I work from home twice a week and could never do it with her home without a babysitter. you can never count on a kid waking up early from a nap when you have a conference call, or an email that needs to go out.... i would try to get a babysitter, or even a mother's helper a few days a week. Maybe a college student who wouldn't charge that much if you're home.....

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I work from home on a flexible schedule. DS goes to school 2 days and is with my mom 1 day. On the days he's home I'm only able to work during nap time and an hour or so at night after he's in bed. I think it's impossible to do anything when he's awake, but it depends on the job.

Try it out for a bit with and if it turns out you need help then take it from there. Good luck!

Working Part Time from Home

I work PT from home and my DS is with my Mom or MIL on the days I work. I wouldn't be able to get anything done otherwise.

If your Dad can help you out for set hours during the week, like when your older DS is in school plus a couple hours after he is home, you can then see if you can work some after they are in bed for the evening. It might be a good compromise.

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Dh works from home and watches ds 2 mornings a month. It works out fine, but it's not very often. Maybe your dad can help you out so you don't have to pay anyone, that would defeat the purpose

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I work from home PT and I have found it very helpful to let my customers/clients know my availability and then I structure everything around that schedule.

For ex., I work Tues and Thurs and sometimes Weds so my sitter comes those days and watches DCs so I can work. Then I only work during that time so my customers know to contact me then and they're not frustrated if I can't take a call on Mon or Friday.

But that doesn't always work out and sometimes I need flexibility. For those times, I've hired a Mother's helper to be "on-call" and she'd come when I needed to do a conference call or a quick project for someone.

I remember the fun times when oldest DS was an infant and I thought I had it all under control because I could get so much done while he napped. Now with a 4yo, 3yo, and 9mo I sometimes don't even get to brush my teeth -- nevermind be a professional!!!

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I think it depends on the job. I work for myself at home doing print work, but it's not everyday. It's basically whenever an order comes in. When I am working on something I can't get anything done while DS is awake. I print when he is napping or down for the night.

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I agree with pp that it depends on the job. I WAH in two different capacities. I work freelance on project basis, for which I'm given a deadline. They don't care when I work, as long as I get it done by the date. I can do this type of work without a sitter present. I make calls and do work during DD's nap-time and work at night. When it gets extra busy, I have my mom or MIL help out so I can get more work done.

This past summer, I took on a PT job in which I work one full day at home and 2 days on-site. I need a babysitter for that one day because I'm expected to be at my desk and available for calls/emails, etc., during the entire work day. I have a babysitter from 9-4 and then when she leaves DD usually plays in my office/playroom while I finish up for the day.

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Glad you asked this question, Erica..I definitely think it depends on the job. I am due in May (with twins) and I am planning on working 2 days from home / 3 in the office. Financially we cannot afford to pay for care more than 3 days a week. So the babies will be home with me and I will be logging on from home. Once my DS is in kindergarten (Fall 2014), we will put the babies in daycare. But my job is very technical in nature, lots of email and scheduling. Nothing too interactive via phone, etc. I do support work, I don't have clients. I'm definitely nervous but I will have to make it work.

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Congrats!

If this job involves things like conference calls and being responsive during work hours then I think you definitely need to find a nanny on he days you are working. What would you do with your DS(or both DSs) if they are running around while you need to be on a phone call?

But if this is they type of job where you just need to send out some emails and get things done on a weekly basis, then you could try to do it without any help.

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I have a 3 yr old and right now unemployed but I also have a business from home. I cannot get any sort of "work" done with him here. case in point, this week I have a 400 pc invite order for a casino. That requires printing, cutting, assemblling, etc. I could never do that with him in the house. Someone would have to be here. Like on weekends when DH is here..even then its hard b/c DS is always looking for me.

He goes to daycare 1-2 days a week and those are the days that I work on designs, business stuff, production, etc. and when he is home I try to email and correspond with people. The rest of the stuff gets done at nite when he's in bed.

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I work from home 3 days a week and 2 days in the offie. The days in the office the kids are with the babysitter. The days i am home my 3 year old goes to school for 2.5 hours a day and I will be home with my 2 year old and my DS who will be 3 months when i return to work.

I've been working from home for years now and love the flexibility. My kids know that mommy has to work and most of my work is on the computer but for the occassional phone conference/video chat I have to go on, I make sure to set them up with an activity that will hold their attention for a little bit of time and do my conference. I usually have atleast 1-2 conferences a day that demand my full attention but they usually last for less than 30 min.

What I would do is try it out and see what works for you. Working from home is an awesome way to have the best of both worlds and as long as your not needed to be on the phone all the time it should work itself out.

I did try over the summer having a mother's helper and it was actually worse for me because my kids were used to the routine we had, and when i went into my office to work or conference etc, they were constantly demanding my attention and wanting me to come out and play, which when it was just us, they were fine.