Working from home vent!

I have a screaming 20 month old who's teething bad as well and a wining 3.5 yr old and it took me an hour to write one email for work.
. I left my job in June bc it was too much working, not seeing the kids and the money wasn't worth it. I was lucky to have an agent come to me and offer me a part time job from home. Started in December and it was slow so worked out perfect to get paid and ease in. Well, now I'm taking over a big project that I need to put in more hours.
Can't afford a nanny or daycare bc it's a part time salary. Then it's my whole salary going to that, which doesn't make sense.
So, I feel like I'm just upset bc the point in to spend more time with the kids, which is why I left my job and it's more stressful. Writing emails and on conf calls while I have a 1 yr old screaming and then my 3 yr old wanting this or that or yelling from the bathroom he needs to be wiped bc he pooped while I'm on a call. It's insane.
I wish I could go to these fun mommy and me classes, my gym, etc, but I can't. Even when I go to library class or go for a walk with a friend my emails and phone is going off. It's tough to make hours bc I work for a co where I'm in charge of the golf tours and they are all over so I get calls sporadically through the day. It's quiet in the middle of the day then late afternoon at the boys worst time it picks up.

Sorry... Just venting bc I know it's nice to have the extra cushion of money, but so much more stressful. DH is a contractor and doing well, but you never know his line of work. Could be busy then quiet so not getting paid. At least mine is always twice a month.

Working from home vent!

Argh, being a mommy is so stressful no matter what you do- SAH, WFT, WAH... Can you get a mommy's helper for the afternoon? Like a highschool student who can help on a part time limited basis? Hang in there!!

Working from home vent!

What you are describing doesn't sound like a PT work from home job - it sounds like they want you available all the time with PT hours/pay.

Can you discuss with them either going full time or having set hours and having someone else handle the calls when you are unavailable?

Working from home vent!

Its sooo hard. I have my own business that requires phone calls, emails, small projects on the computer. Even though Ive explained to my 5 yr old "business calls" she always inevitably starts whining for something when im on the phone. I literally have to walk around the house trying to have a conversation so the other person doesnt hear her whining lol. There is no perfect situation unfortunately! Good Luck!

Re: Working from home vent!

Re: Working from home vent!

That's tough and I agree - you might only be working X amount of hours during the day but you are needing to make yourself available. I would look for a high school student that you can pay less than a regular babysitter. I work from home and it's really hard unless i have my babysitter.

Working from home vent!

I think you need to decide what you want to do.....this is a full time job. I had a job like this prior to having DS. IT was hourly but I could get calls etc at anytime so I had to be somewhat available.

You can talk to the company and work out a set schedule but even with that I think you will still have issues with trying to care for the kids at the same time as working. Working at home with a toddler is next to impossible. They don't understand mommy is working and you need to be quiet.

Another option is to keep the work as is and get help....but that would be full time help seeing that your schedule is all over the place.

Last option is to not work. And I know that one stinks cause it seems like you like what you are doing.

Trying to find a balance is tough.

Re: Working from home vent!

That's tough. I work PT from home too but my kids are in daycare 3 days. On the other 2 weekdays I will generally only take meetings during nap time or after all kids are in bed for the night. I just can't focus on anything if I try to do both so I try to make a firm division.

So, my recommendation: set some boundaries. Tell them the blocks of time that you are available or conference calls. Emails and follow-up work can be done at outside those blocks.

I would make it for nap time or a time when they are generally having some down time, watching TV. Does your older son go to preschool? Not sure how much preschool is by you, but down here there are a lot of church based preschool program that are very inexpensive so it wouldn't take up your salary.

Good luck, I know how tricky this can be to navigate.

Re: Working from home vent!

I work from home too but mostly work at night. If I was in your situation I would look into getting a nanny a few hours a day, and then tell you job those are hours you are available for calls.

Re: Working from home vent!

I know the feeling. My kids are in the office with me every day

Re: Working from home vent!

I know the feeling I just went back to work and I work at home over half of the time. The first two weeks I made DH take off to watch the kids so I could get back in the swing of things but it's really tough finding a balance.

With yours being sporadic phone calls and conference calls, I would try to set them up at good times for you.

Like I changes my message to say that I only do conferences on certain days and times. That seems to work for the most part, but I still have had to lock myself in the bedroom on a call so I can hear while I have screaming kids throwing a temper tantrum in the other room.

I would definitely try to say something to them to try and set up the calls between certain hours during the day. People understand, and usually work with you. There will be the occasion that you will be on the call when it's not good for you but hopefully if you set good hours then it won't be every day.

Re: Working from home vent!

What about getting a mother's helper, like a responsible middle or high school girl, to come to your house a few hours after school a few days a week? She could be a second pair of hands to help out and entertain the kids while you can still be home, but maybe you would have a better chance of getting work done?

Working from home vent!

I'm in the same boat. I recently found a mothers helper. She only comes for 2 hours a day but its great. They play in the livingroom and I keep a close eye. her Mother would only let her accept $5. Other days I have a friend babysit and I pay her $10 an hour. My schedule is all over the place so this is what works best. Working from home is definitely not that easy :(