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> Once they were old enough they didn't need constant supervision. Trying to work from home with a toddler was a nightmare. That's odd, I had no problem with w

> Once they were old enough they didn't need constant supervision. Trying to work from home with a toddler was a nightmare. That's odd, I had no problem with working from home with toddlers, but I wasn't trying to do two full time jobs, on any given day either I was dedicated to looking after the kids or my partner was. Looking after a toddler is a full time job.

xyzzy123 4y ago
Setup matters a lot, eg if you have a separate room to go to or a standalone unit in the back yard. Kids are "sticky" (once they get into your office for any reason it can be difficult to get them out again). Number of kids matters, their ages matter, their needs matter, sometimes they "get loose" while carer is busy with one (e.g. putting to sleep), and carers need breaks too. For my particular situation, I can get noticeably more done on days when all the kids are out, even when someone else is ostensibly caring for them "full time".
- eequah9L 4y ago
  Plus kids are generally noisy, in a way that's optimized to get your attention as a grown-up. I had to move out to an external office. There were more reasons than just noise -- we were also expecting a second one, and this was a two-bedroom apartment, it wouldn't work one way or another. But noise and attention were what pushed me over the edge to start looking for a nearby office for rent. I can't imagine getting much done with a toddler in the corner of my eye, as another commenter here puts it. Though I suppose work substance matters, too. If you are in meetings all day, sure, I guess that could work.
- organsnyder 4y ago
  > Setup matters a lot, eg if you have a separate room to go to or a standalone unit in the back yard. We built a garage with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that I use for my office. My kids are aged 5-12, and It's great to have some separation. Though now two of the kids have their own computers in the room next to my office, so I've had to teach them that a Minecraft "emergency" doesn't mean they can interrupt me working.
tyoma 4y ago
Every child and office setup is different. Like the OP I find it incredibly difficult to work from home with kids around. It is actually more difficult when they are more independent, as they can show up at your office area and demand to be entertained and find new and innovative ways to get your attention.

xyzzy123 4y ago

Setup matters a lot, eg if you have a separate room to go to or a standalone unit in the back yard. Kids are "sticky" (once they get into your office for any reason it can be difficult to get them out again). Number of kids matters, their ages matter, their needs matter, sometimes they "get loose" while carer is busy with one (e.g. putting to sleep), and carers need breaks too. For my particular situation, I can get noticeably more done on days when all the kids are out, even when someone else is ostensibly caring for them "full time".

eequah9L 4y ago
Plus kids are generally noisy, in a way that's optimized to get your attention as a grown-up. I had to move out to an external office. There were more reasons than just noise -- we were also expecting a second one, and this was a two-bedroom apartment, it wouldn't work one way or another. But noise and attention were what pushed me over the edge to start looking for a nearby office for rent. I can't imagine getting much done with a toddler in the corner of my eye, as another commenter here puts it. Though I suppose work substance matters, too. If you are in meetings all day, sure, I guess that could work.
organsnyder 4y ago
> Setup matters a lot, eg if you have a separate room to go to or a standalone unit in the back yard. We built a garage with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that I use for my office. My kids are aged 5-12, and It's great to have some separation. Though now two of the kids have their own computers in the room next to my office, so I've had to teach them that a Minecraft "emergency" doesn't mean they can interrupt me working.

tyoma 4y ago

Every child and office setup is different. Like the OP I find it incredibly difficult to work from home with kids around. It is actually more difficult when they are more independent, as they can show up at your office area and demand to be entertained and find new and innovative ways to get your attention.