14
doz87
7y

Looking for some advice....

So I'm a web dev that works remotely full time from home which I love, I'm expecting my first child in late march which is really exciting but I'm starting to think about how it's all going to work with the missus home for at least 12 months and of course a baby that (without sounding horrible) is going to be a big distraction to me when I'm trying to work.

So just wanted to know if there was anyone else out there in a similar position or that has gone through the same thing and how you did it? Is there any advice you can give me?

Appreciate any thoughts.

Comments
  • 8
    This is something that probably should've been considered last June.
  • 7
    "Gone through the same thing" - u mean having kids?

    Uhm yeah, I have two daughters, now 13 and 10, and I can say thats the best thing that has happened in my life!!!

    I too thought about how work would be, but somehow, strangely, work isnt that important when you hold that little toddler in your arms ;-)

    Best of luck to you and enjoy those mments the best you can!!
  • 9
    Congratulations, I got my first last October, he's a great source of inspiration. It will be hard for sure, If you have a spare room I'd recommend a home office to separate work from play. No one else comes in unless its an absolute emergency.
  • 4
    @JohanO
    This is The Absolute favourite!!.
  • 3
    It won't work. Find someplace close to home as a co-working space.
  • 1
    I used to get to work evenings and weekends on projects for other people and myself. 3 years later, 2 kids, it's impossible. I actually can't wait to leave for the office most days.
  • 3
    @JohanO @dustyfoot
    Yeah I'm really excited and it's definitely given me a new perspective on life and work and what really matters.

    The missus is totally on board and she is a graphic designer so she understands that it's going to be difficult, especially for the first couple months of sleep deprivation haha.

    I do have a home office so at least I can kind of get away when I need to. I suppose I will just need to be flexible around work hours etc.

    Mainly I just wanted to see if it has worked out for other work from home devs so its good to get some positive feedback.

    Definitely feels like the world is going to be turned upside down but I'm really looking forward to meeting this little human :)
  • 2
    When ibwas a salesforce consultant i worked from home and had a kid. Everything worked out fine. You alternate wake ups and if shes not working she deals with the baby full tine during the day and when you get done working you give her an hour to herself.

    But during the work day when youre supposed to be working you work. There really is no issues if you just close your door and she deals with the kid. I had absolutely zero issues other than being tired for a few months which is nothing really. First 2 weeks are the worst part try to take those weeks off as youll be up at all random times until you get the baby on a schedule.
  • 1
    @BirdLawExpert
    That's great to hear that it worked out for you. Its good to hear from other people that it's not such a big deal, I think I've just been talking to people that haven't been through it and so they just immediately say that it can't work and its impossible and it just got me worried.

    I'm having the first 2 weeks off so I think it'll be okay after that.

    Thanks mate. Appreciate it.
  • 2
    @doz87 Baby steps (Excuse the pun). I've got one of my own. The missus and I had to alternate but when she had to go back to work I had to be mommy and daddy full time. I've got 2 brothers who helped quite a bit. He's now going for 3 so we put him in a kindergarten till 5 pm and got some extra hands at my home office. It's not impossible, you'll just to adjust and make compromises but I doubt your productivity will be the same for a little while, watching them crawl, walk or talk is priceless. Good luck.
  • 2
    @stalinkay thanks mate, yeah I'm expecting things to be very different so will just have to adapt :)
  • 2
    @doz87 yeah there is definitely no issues as long as you make cleae boundries for work time and you make sure you give her an hour to relax after you get done. Maybe even take over cooking dinner if its something she does. The biggest part is making sure you have that clear line that between x and y you are working and you stick with that.

    Now i used to take my breaks duringthe day out in the living room with the lady and baby and have a little family time. Playing with the baby for 15 minutes so she can relax recharges her and gets you recharged for the work day.

    Not going to lie i had a wireless headset so on conference calls if i didnt need to be looking at my screen id go to the living room and feed the baby or whatever while on tge call lol. Its hard to stsy away you just have to make sure youre completing your tasks and giving her a break after work. Being home was way better than having to go to the office
  • 1
    @BirdLawExpert that's really good to hear mate. Well I've been pretty much doing everything for my girl so far (cooking, cleaning etc) so I'm guessing it's not really going to change once the baby gets here so at least I have that going for me haha.

    I think where I'm going to have an issue is with getting distracted. I think it's going to be really hard in the beginning but I'm hoping as time goes on it gets easier.

    I totally agree with having boundaries though, it's been really great to get some really good feedback and I suppose I'll have to wait and see how it goes but definitely feeling a lot more confident now.

    Love the conference calls by the way, that's awesome! Haha.
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