I remember when I was about to begin my maternity leave back when I was pregnant with Noah. I was around eight months pregnant and I was so excited about the prospect of being a first time Mum and being able to stay at home with my baby. Once he was born the months just kept rolling on by and in the back of my mind I was worried sick, wrecked with guilt and would actually cry at the thought of missing out on so much time with him.
Eventually I made the decision not to return and to spend my days with my baby boy. Having more time at home I then decided to try and make an income through my blog, thankfully it's prevailed and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Eventually I made the decision not to return and to spend my days with my baby boy. Having more time at home I then decided to try and make an income through my blog, thankfully it's prevailed and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Working from home with young children has so many advantages, but there are some disadvantages too. I've teamed up with Furniture at Work to put together a list all about the pro's and con's of working from home.
Home:
Being able to work in the comfort of your own home has got to be one of the main advantages of working from home rather than working in an office or other sort of workplace. I'm in much more of a happy head space at home and I don't have to set off to work in the rain first thing in the morning either. Another perk, you can enjoy an endless supply of tea, though it may end up cold before you get chance to drink it with the kids about!
Children
This leads me to my second point, you get to see your children more. For me this was the one reason which pushed me to make the leap into self employment and to quit my regular 9-5 retail job. The thought of going back to my old job when Noah was just 9 months old made my heart hurt. I understand that a lot of people want to go back to work but for me it wasn't an option. Being home with Noah throughout his early years and now my daughters too means that I've never missed a milestone and for me that's priceless. Looking in from the other side, trying to work with two young children around can be quite the task and simple jobs which should take half an hour can take quadruple the amount of time. Oh and you are also always tired, always multitasking and always needed for something.
Time:
The last perk I'm going to mention is time. You can work at your own pace and put in however many hours you like. This is great because you have no one breathing down your neck if you are running a little late and no one giving you hassle because you've had to take time off to look after your child who's sick. On the flip side, because you don't have set hours and set work it's hard to plan in advance and know how much money is going to come in each month and sometimes it's hard to manage the work.
What advantages and disadvantages do you find from working from home?
What advantages and disadvantages do you find from working from home?
- This is a PR Collaboration.
I do not work from home. Though this blog is very interesting. Seems working from home is something that may be beneficial for some. I have heard of individuals who are employed being able to work from home on occasions :- These people have worked for Bank, or been in Management within the National Health Service. I would expect that the work they were doing would be via computer. One that I heard of :- Apparently thought it would be great to work from home ( was a new experience). In reality apparently he found it wasn't as easy or wonderful to be at home whilst working. Little one at home was happily playing with toys. Which probably meant Dad could not concentrate so well on his working task, as little one was delighted to have Dad at home and was keen for him to join in the fun of playing with the toys. Dad had a workload to complete, so had to get on with his planned task. Those in NHS Management working from home were nearing retirement age, children grown, they were happy and content to work at home when opportunity arose :- Probably due to no distractions. As no children, and outwith office, hospital etc. So no distractions from being paged / bleeped etc as required by a staff member within the hospital. Possibly Bliss! For them.
ReplyDeleteHaving children can be a joy, commitment, responsibility. Seeing them grow and develop can be such a wonderful experience. Nice that you have got to enjoy being there for and with your children. I hope Nick enjoys his quality time with you and the children. As sometimes Dad's can find it difficult to find paid employment which allows for opportunity to as much quality family life as they would wish. Work / Life Balance :- In practice has it's challenges.
Rachel Craig
I don't work from home but def thing there are some advantages and disadvantages too
ReplyDeleteI used to work from home and I can honestly say that I was never happier and my work was never better.
ReplyDeleteI get the impression that there may well have been an increase in Self Employment within the UK ( United Kingdom) over the last few decades. This will have an impact on individuals, families, Communities, etc. America may well have a high level of Self Employment. Seems UK often follows American ways / changes, etc. Yet "one size does not fit all".
ReplyDeleteWorth sharing our experiences, as it is a way to learn :- Prepare for changes, etc. Can allow us to consider what may be worthwhile / beneficial, etc. So :- Thanks for Sharing your experience/s of working from home, raising a family. Aiming for Quality Family Life, etc.
Paid Employment outwith the home from information from friends, family, acquaintances, etc :- I am told has become more pressurised. Targets, Complaints, Culture, Stress are elements that I hear mentioned. There are Zero Hours Contracts, people attending Food Banks, people suffering Fuel Poverty. Yet some Business Owners are meanwhile Billionaires. Employees seem to have little to no Job Security, Job Satisfaction, etc. Was saddened recently by News of Monarch Airline :- Employees will now have to deal with the sudden loss of their paid Employment, Routinue of attending work and interacting with colleagues, customers, etc. Now having to deal with bills, yet no income from Employment to cover those bills. We know it is easier to deal with the known than the unknown. So these individuals may well have a huge task in dealing with the impact of losing their paid Employment through no fault of their own.
I wonder how the UK Government will deal with attempting to provide Long Term Paid Employment via Business Laws, Employment Laws, etc, etc.
What Employment is there presently? What will be available for future Generations?
Rachel Craig
I don't work I'm a full time mum second time around with my daughter Sheriah 5 and baby Charlie who is 1
ReplyDeleteWorking from home sounds so tempting, but I think it would be difficult to maintain motivation with all the distractions. It's not an option for me for the next few years because I work at my daughter's school.
ReplyDeleteGreat article, thank you. In addition to self-employment, the option to work from home should be offered by default in every job where it is possible.
ReplyDeleteFreedom to choose what I do
ReplyDeleteDownside
24 hour carer so can be exhausting
I think working from home could be an idea for me with 2 little ones
ReplyDeleteRecently heard the song "Bread and Roses". We do need Food / Nourishment and a Healthy Sense of Wellbeing / Love / Social Life / Quality of Life / Sense of Feeling Secure, Happy, Well, Positive, etc.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
Being your own Boss, I would expect would take some time to adjust to. Being organised is probably very beneficial
ReplyDeletePros and Cons to most, if not all things in life.
Rachel Craig
Being Self Employed must take getting acquainted with aspect of Business Studies such as Accounts ( Accounting), dealing with taxes, etc.
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder if Business Studies is a topic available in most schools nowadays. As there are many self employed individuals now. Maybe there will be even more in the future.
Rachel Craig