DING! It’s hard to pinpoint which alert just chimed on my phone, lost in the clamor of “Monster Math Squad” and the sound of my fingers tapping away at the keyboard. All I know is that my to-do list is a mile long, and I have time to tackle only a few items before the evening bus arrives, bringing my 12 and 13-year-olds home. Then, it’s homework, dinner prep, bath time, bedtime, and a fair bit of refereeing tossed in for good measure. If I’m fortunate and focused, I might even snag a warm bite to eat and a quick hug or kiss from my husband when he returns from his job.
“Mommy, do you need to check your emails?” chirps my adorable four-year-old, his big eyes looking up at me. God bless him. He probably knows more about iPhone notifications than most adults I know, considering how often they sound. If only he could help me respond to them!
When I first decided to work from home, I was convinced it was the most brilliant idea ever. “What’s not to love?” I thought, three years ago. I could enjoy a fulfilling career, earn a paycheck, stay home with my kids, set my own hours, and keep my resume fresh—all while cherishing every moment with my little ones. It seemed like the perfect arrangement!
Let me be clear: working from home is pretty amazing, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. I adore my kids, my job, and the life we’ve built together.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I work from home with a four-year-old. If you’ve ever tried to concentrate on something non-child-related while caring for a toddler, you’ll understand my plight.
In the beginning, I attempted to create a home office in the spare room. “YES!” I told myself. “I’ll have a dedicated space away from distractions where I can be productive.” That plan lasted about a month. I quickly realized that I couldn’t focus for more than 30 minutes without being interrupted, and meaningful work just doesn’t happen in half-hour chunks. I was reluctant to leave my toddler unsupervised even for a brief time, so I thought I could work while he napped or played. Spoiler alert: kids don’t nap forever. They don’t play alone indefinitely, either. There’s only so much screen time I feel good about allowing.
Eventually, I decided to work sporadically during the day, balancing time with the little one, housework, and family time in the evenings. My “real” work would get done late at night after everyone was asleep.
And now here I am. I haven’t enjoyed a moment of peaceful rest before 2 or 3 AM in over a year. More often, it’s closer to 4 AM, and I may still be awake when dawn breaks. I run on caffeine, late-night snacks, and Google Drive. I can’t recall the last time I had a good night’s sleep, as my husband needs to rise early for his “real” job. We hire sitters and have date nights, but I miss the simple comfort of falling asleep next to him.
Let’s not even get started on the friends, family, and neighbors who assume that working from home means I have endless spare time. They often say things like: “What do you do all day?” or “Why are you up so late?” or “Can’t you just do that tomorrow?” They wish they had the luxury of sleeping in or working in their pajamas. Well, I’ll admit, that last part is pretty sweet. My kids often wonder why I put on nice clothes and makeup, and I have to explain that I have a video conference and prefer not to look like the ‘before’ picture in a makeover ad.
Working from home is not a synonym for lounging around with my kids while still earning a paycheck. I produce real work for real money, and it requires genuine effort and time. Just because I don’t have to commute to an office doesn’t make me any less productive. My hours may not align with the traditional workday, but that doesn’t diminish my contribution to society.
I could continue elaborating, but the crux of the matter is that while it may seem idyllic, I often feel like I’m falling short somewhere, trying to juggle too many responsibilities at once. I can’t focus fully on my child because work demands attention, and I can’t dive into my work because my child needs me. Plus, I constantly need to pause for household chores, or we risk facing a towel shortage come bath time! I’m always on the clock. Despite this chaotic existence, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I thrive in the whirlwind and wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I had actual downtime.
Oh, wait. I do know. It’s called sleep—sweet, glorious sleep. If I recall correctly, it’s heavenly and tastes like cotton candy. I promise I’ll get around to that eventually, but for now, it’s nearly dawn—time to wake everyone up for school and work, whip up breakfast, and throw in a load of laundry before I call it a night. Or morning. Whatever works.
This article was originally published on April 13, 2014.
For those interested in home insemination, check out this useful resource: Intrauterine Insemination. If you’re looking for a way to enhance your fertility journey, consider the Fertility Booster for Men for additional support. And if you’re exploring options for at-home insemination, visit Artificial Insemination Kit.
In summary, working from home presents a unique set of challenges and rewards. Balancing a career and family life in the same space can lead to feelings of chaos and exhaustion. Yet, many parents wouldn’t trade the flexibility and opportunities it brings. Embracing the chaos can lead to a fulfilling life, despite the late nights and endless to-do lists.
Keyphrase: working from home
Tags: “home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”