
Pros and Cons of Being a Work-At-Home Parent
written by Elisa Cinelli, posted on VeryWellFamily
When I had my baby, I was fortunate to be able to take a year and a half of maternity leave from my job as an elementary school teacher. I wanted to stay home with my little one for as long as possible, so I filled out the paperwork and dove into the stay-at-home mom life.
As it turned out, it just wasn’t long enough. Trying to go back to work did a number on my physical and mental health, and I knew deep down that I needed to be home with my toddler. Not only that, but my entire income went to our nanny, so staying in my job just wasn’t making sense.
I now work part-time from home as a writer and journalist, and it was the best decision I could have made. I took something I was already doing for fun (blogging) and turned it into a way to make money while my toddler was sleeping. Working from home left me able to completely eliminate childcare costs.
Some parents who work from home do what I do—burning the midnight oil and using nap time and screen time to get their work done. Other work-from-home parents have the standard 9-to-5 job, just without the cubicle or the commute. Working from home may or may not necessitate childcare, depending upon the specifics.
Working from home may seem like a dream, but it also has its challenges. It can be difficult to stay focused while at home, especially when your kids are there too. Some people just do better with more of a separation between their personal and professional roles.