Recently, my husband struck gold by landing a remote job. Initially, we were thrilled at the prospect of him working from home—goodbye, 45-minute commute! More time for family mornings and evenings, plus the added joy of lunchtime together! For a fleeting moment, it seemed like the ultimate dream. However, as a stay-at-home mom with three little ones, the reality of a “Home Office” quickly became clear: it simply wouldn’t blend well with our family dynamic.
Need to take a call, sweetheart? Good luck with that.
A significant portion of my husband’s role involves conversing with clients over the phone. Trying to do that with kids around? Nearly impossible. Trust me, I’ve been there. The sound of a ringing phone triggers an immediate and intense demand for attention and snacks from my children. And let’s not forget—they can be quite loud. With three of them, we’d either need to soundproof a room or somehow teach them to whisper, neither of which is likely to happen soon.
Sorry, kiddos, but Daddy can’t play right now.
My husband is the ultimate Fun Dad. He transforms into the Sword Fighter, the Body-Slamming Wrestler, the Tiara-Wearing Tea Party Guest, and the Wiffle Ball Pitcher when he walks through the door. While I certainly do my part, somehow it’s always more exciting with him. I mean, I did give you life, dear children, but let’s be honest—Dad is more fun. If he worked from home, keeping the kids out of his workspace would become a full-time job for me.
No, he can’t “just watch the kids for a moment.”
There have been countless instances where the thought of running a simple errand has brought me to tears. I’m not talking about the major tasks like grocery shopping or back-to-school supplies; I’m referring to those quick trips you used to make without a second thought. Now, with kids, diapers, car seats, snacks, and potty breaks to consider, even a quick stop at the post office takes an hour. If my husband worked from home, the phrase “Honey, I need to drop off this package. Can you manage the kids?” would become a regular occurrence, and I’d likely start abusing that newfound freedom. Wow, I was in and out in three minutes! Maybe I can grab a coffee on the way back. Oh, look! There’s Sarah! I haven’t seen her in forever! Sure, Sarah, I’d love to catch up over these steaming vanilla lattes!
And no, he can’t run out and grab you a latte.
What’s the point of having two adults home all day if one can’t make a quick coffee run? There isn’t one. Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder. Sure, by the time my husband returns from work, I’m completely drained. I’ve spent the day meeting the physical, emotional, and social needs of our three small children, often neglecting my own basic needs. Somehow, I’ve made it through another day without losing my mind—most of the time, anyway.
But my husband has had his own demanding day at the office. He’s put in the effort and is equally tired. There’s nothing quite like greeting him with a cold drink in one hand and a fussy toddler on my hip. I hand him the cranky child who’s been glued to me since her nap ended three and a half hours ago. “Good luck!” I call as I step onto the porch. “The boys are in timeout and she’s a handful. I’ll be outside!”
The sacred time of 5 p.m. when Daddy arrives home is vital, so, my dear, while you don’t have to work in an office, you can’t work here.
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In summary, while the idea of working from home may seem appealing at first glance, the reality can be quite different, particularly in a household bustling with young children.