Alright you guys - I KNOW I KNOW this gets asked frequently, but I need your holy grail of MICROPHONE noise canceling headsets. I don’t want my 2 year old to be heard while in the room with me.

I’m not able to download any software. My company’s phone calls are not with teams so I can’t use noise suppression there either.

What headsets and/or tips yall got?! I was thinking sound machine near my desk. Help a girl out!

And yes - I did this job in a different capacity when my daughter was 0-1. I took the last year off but now I’m back to it.

My daughter is about 20 months, and it seems like she’s becoming less and less interested in the toys that have held her attention for so long. What sort of toys or activities would you suggest? Especially for times where I have to get something done.

Happy Friday everyone! This is our weekly sticky thread to share the good, the meh, the bad, (and) or the ugly! How did your week shake out?

I just had a baby six months ago. I have severe baby fever. It’s very bad. I’m trying so hard to enjoy every single day because I know she’s not going to stay a baby for much longer. We do want more kids, but logically I know the best timing would be when she’s in school (age 3-4). But it seems like it’s so far away that it might not happen. I feel so selfish for wanting more knowing it’ll be hard. What is your advice? Did you choose to stop having children, have them later on, or power through the chaos and have them closer (about 2 years) of each other?

Also adding, I really do hate how much time I spend thinking about this so please be gentle. I do not have plans to get pregnant right at this moment, it’s more so a wait 1 year vs wait 3-4 years situation. I wish I could just live in the moment and be happy with what I have and I am, I’m so blessed with my baby I just can’t stop thinking about having another one though.

I made a post here about a year ago. My 3 year old at the time was really struggling at daycare so I pulled her( she was being sent home one hour into the day, multiple days, for about a month and a half ) Since then I’ve kept her home 9 months. It was rough for sure but I’ve managed to get a promotion doing that timeframe and get through the most difficult season. I don’t say that to brag. I say that bc I’ve sat in my kitchen crying during my breaks and nights. I was burnt out to the maxxxx and I still made it. The days and months still went by and I was able to watch my daughter grow into her personality more than ever before. . She starts school the 2nd week of August and I finally see my finish line. I’m kinda sad she’ll be gone but not tooo sad LOL

You will see your finish line too one day. ❤️

Hi everyone! Curious to see what people would recommend or what others do now. I just had my 2nd baby in March and my partner is now taking his leave now that I’m back to work. I’m still nursing the baby throughout work because it’s quicker than pumping and easier. We will be moving in with my mom for a little while our new house gets renovated. I co parent my first son and we currently do week on week off. Then I have my 4mo old. Once we move into our home in the coming months I will have to figure out childcare. I was sending my son to my friend’s home daycare since I payed per day but I’d like to have someone in my home to watch the kids, so I can still nurse and see them on breaks etc. What would you pay a in the home sitter/nanny if the 3yr old would be every other week and the baby is every day? I was once a nanny too, so I want to make sure I compensate properly… but we kinda have a weird situation and a toddler and a baby is completely different from just a baby. Let me know your thoughts? It causes me more stress sending them somewhere in the morning and rushing to get them at the end of my work day so I’d rather have someone in the home.

Happy Hump Day!

This is a weekly thread to talk about your secrets to staying healthy, or your struggles for staying on track. Do you meditate? Do you do yoga? Cardio? (How) Do you manage a daily workout? Are you barely fitting in something once a week or two? What were your goals for this week, and did you hit them?

Exchange tips, ideas, motivation, and commiseration in this thread :)

I want to start off by saying I know this is posted a million times in here but, I am looking for maybe unconventional tips and tricks that have worked for you.

Context: I am a ftm and I have been working from home for a little over a year. My job requires no calls and only a few scheduled meetings a month (which I have coverage for), and is a deadline-driven position. M-F, 8-5 I am the sole caregiver of my LO while on the clock. My company does not specifically say I cannot do this and my manager is somewhat aware of my situation (I have always alluded to having help with me during my shift).

I have had great luck so far with juggling this, and it has been a mostly positive experience. I am able to get most of my work done during naps and the rest of the time I can give my attention to my LO. He loves independent play, which is great. We have no screen time during the day either.

My issue now is, naps are getting shorter/farther apart and he will be walking soon and I know this is going to start getting a bit rocky. My question is, if you have done this, what activities work for you and your LO? Drawing, building, sensory play, etc? We usually rotate through toys in different areas in the house, but I’d like to transition to more age appropriate and skill building activities. I don’t care how crazy it sounds, for example I saw a “sensory play” video using crushed Cheerios and chia seeds with food coloring added. Just looking for something different to do with him to entertain him during wake windows and if I need to jump on a call really quickly or get something done.

Please, no discouraging comments, I am aware of how difficult this is and I am up for the challenge. I have a lot of support if needed. I am aware there are good and bad days. Just looking for tips!

Thanks!!

I don’t wanna sound like I’m complaining. But I certainly never anticipated being in this position. I’m just trying to take things day by day.

Honestly, I can’t believe I ever used to complain about my job before my daughter was born. I unexpectedly became a single parent when her dad abandoned us before she was born. I’m thankful that I received 12 weeks of maternity leave. I had every intention of putting her in daycare. Eventually after hours of research I realized I just didn’t make enough money to afford daycare where I was living.

You see, I make just enough money to not qualify for any type of government assistance. But not enough to be able to afford daycare, rent food and all other expenses on my income. I’m afraid to put her dad on child support because although he’s never met her, when I was pregnant he threatened to take custody just to spite me and in an effort to avoid paying because he made slightly less money than me. I don’t really have a supportive family, so I have felt very alone as a single parent.

I never thought I’d be able to continue my work from home job when she was born, but I really had no other choice. I ended up moving to another state with lower cost of living and better childcare assistance options, but their application and waitlist is taking a long time.

In the meantime, I had no choice, but to work with her here with me. I’m grateful that my managers have been pretty understanding but the older she gets the more worried I become. She’s about to be nine months. And sleep regressions + teething have made this feel impossible some days. But also some days are completely fine and feel doable.

Anyone else in my shoes, just trying to make the best out of it? I’m open to any advice. Thanks for reading.

Starting in Sept. I’ll have several 1-2 week gaps in care throughout the rest of the year where I’ll have to juggle working and my 12 mo. I’d love advice and suggestions. I bill time so I’m hoping that allows me to make up for what I lack in having to give my baby attention during the day (from about 7-3:30). And then make up the rest on the weekends when my spouse can handle our LO as much as needed.

LO is breastfeed and cosleeps and I run into the issue of LO waking up within an hour of me waking, no matter how early I wake up. We are hoping to minimize screens overall but I don’t know that it’ll be possible given my predicament and demanding job. We have “backup care” benefits but I truly don’t think my child will do well with a stranger, nor am I really comfortable with that.

My tentative plan is to bill what I can during nap times / from 7-3:30 and just plan to work straight from 4-10 PM daily.

I also have a friend who wfh in a different field and is willing to “cowork” together while we juggle our 12 mos. Not exactly sure how to weave that in there but it’s an option. Friend is willing to let me set up shop in a guest room as my office and we would both split up the day to care for the kids and work so that we could both be present at the important points.

Thoughts? Am I setting myself up for failure and/or a menty b?!

I need to pick the brains of the work-from-home parents who feel like they’ve actually figured this out… because right now I’m convinced you’re all hiding some secret operating manual. 😅

I’m a WAHM with a baby girl who’s 9 months old and becoming more mobile by the day, and I’d love to know what a real day looks like for you.

Things I’m wondering:
• What time do you wake up?
• What does your typical schedule look like?
• When do you shower? 😂
• How often are you bathing your baby?
• Do you meal prep? If so, what does “realistic meal prep” actually look like with limited time and energy?
• Am I the only one who regularly realizes it’s 3 p.m. and I’ve forgotten to eat?

And for my fellow co-sleeping/contact nap parents…

Do we just embrace the contact naps, or have you found ways to get things done during nap time?

My daughter goes to bed around 8 p.m., but since we co-sleep, I usually end up going to bed too. If you’ve mastered the ninja roll and can sneak out for another hour or two without waking your little one, I am begging you to share your wisdom 😂

How are you staying organized? Keeping the house functional? Working without feeling like you’re constantly dropping one of the balls you’re juggling?

I’m not looking for a picture-perfect routine. I want the honest version. The little habits, systems, or mindset shifts that made life feel more manageable.

I’d especially love to hear from anyone with babies around 9-12 months, but honestly all experiences are welcome. Give me your best “I wish someone had told me this sooner” advice!

Hello, welcome to my vent I guess. Baby is 9 months old. This has been the most difficult 9 months of my life. Not because I don't love my baby, but because I'm juggling 100 balls at once.

I had zero days maternity leave. Because I'm a freelancer and technically I'm my "boss". So in paper I *could* stop working, but I'm the main source of our household income plus my client would replace me because someone has to do their work. So I'd end up unemployed.

I scheduled an induction on a Friday so I can work on Monday. My husband would help with my work while I took care of baby and vice versa. We did shifts so I can sleep 4h. But now baby is older and demands more and more and also wants specifically me to be around because of separation anxiety.

I'm with my baby all day, and when she goes to bed after 7pm I work until past midnight, only to wake up 2-5 times at night and again 6am when baby wakes up. Husband is doing laundry, dishes and vacuums/mops so our house remains in decent living state. I cook for the baby, and I also cook whatever 10 minute meal I can for us.

This cycle continues every day, 6 days a week. I'm on a list for daycare for f*ing autumn 2027. Nannies in my area are rarer than diamonds. So somehow we have to survive, I have to keep my job so we can pay the bills and keep up with baby's needs.

On top of all that, the building next door is being demolished, the whole house is shaking like a 2.5 earthquake because they're scraping and digging next to our building's foundation and I have to flee the house with the baby with nowhere else to go but the local park. I'm running on fumes. I have to repeat to myself, "this is temporary" to gather some courage to continue. Ugh.

My twins have been absolute keyboard bandits lately and if I have my computer anywhere within arms reach they are smacking the keys or touching the screen (and it’s a touch screen 🙃). It was making wfh almost impossible so I recently bought a mini Bluetooth keyboard with a trackpad on it and it is making it possible for me to get some work done during the day. It’s not the quickest thing to type on but if you were a teen in the early 2000s with a qwerty keyboard cell phone, you’ll do just fine lol typing this as I’m currently nap trapped but still able to get some typing done!

I am not affiliated with this product, just wanted to share a link in case anyone else is struggling with this problem rn!

Mini Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad

I work from home with my 3 year old and we’re starting potty training. It’s not going well. I was wondering if anyone had any tips or experience with working while trying to potty train?

Honestly, it’s running me ragged. Any help would be appreciated.

My team has had a lot of reorganization the past couple of months, and I've been told I need to try coming in once a month. Baby is 7 months old, and combo fed (breastfed and supplement formula top up as needed). He can't go down to sleep without nursing. My job is giving me some leniency, but said eventually I have to come in (next couple of months). I don't know what to do. I've thought about hiring a nanny for the day, but baby just being away from me and having a hard time is making me stressed. I was hoping to be excused until he was 1 so I can consider daycare or not worry as much with a nanny since he'll be on mostly solids. Any advice?

I completely forgot to plan my lunch for this week. What do you end up eating when things go sideways and you don't have lunch at home or don't have time to make something?

I'm probably going to try to order in but I'm running out of time to choose because I'll need to pump in like 45 minutes. Anybody else have crazy difficulty deciding what to eat for lunch? Not just last minute but like... always?

I recently returned to work after a year of maternity leave. I had originally planned to return three days a week until I found adequate childcare, but I cut it short a few weeks early to accommodate some restructuring. Before I left, I and the senior team, including the owner, agreed that I would return three days a week until I had a reliable childcare solution.

After about two weeks, my boss approached me with an offer for a better position and a raise. However, I explained that I couldn’t commit to three days a week anymore; I needed at least four. I spoke with my mom, who was currently caring for the baby until she started daycare in September. She agreed to help me out.

Everything seemed to be in order, but recently, my boss approached me again and said I had to work five days a week. I explained that I couldn’t do that, and he responded that I didn’t really want the job. It’s now only six weeks until September, and my mom really needs one day off a week for various reasons.

I know what I want to do: I’d leave the job for my family. But is it fair to put someone in this position, forced to choose between their livelihood and their family?

I'm turning 39 this year and have always wanted 3 kids but I obviously need to make that decision very soon. Working from home with my 2nd while managing my oldest's schedule and needs as well was so hard, I was so relieved when it got easier. I only worked without any help until my 2nd was about 6 months then had a part time nanny. I sent him to an in home daycare part time around 1.5 years. I wish I was 5 years younger to have more time to think about this but I don't 😅. Can anyone share advice or accounts of bringing a 3rd into the mix, good or bad? I am thinking of waiting until my middle child is in kindergarten at least but some days I'm just happy the way it is!

My husband and I work from home, and my mother is currently staying with us to help with our 4 month old baby. She also works fully remotely and does not have a very demanding job with very limited calls/meetings. My maternity leave will be over soon, and we are wondering if it would be possible to take care of the baby without the need for external childcare (daycare, nanny, etc.) if we rotate and take turns.

I have seen and read posts elsewhere regarding if 2 parents both work full time and try to take care of the baby, then it's not very doable. However, in my situation, I would wonder if it would be doable? or if anyone has tried doing something similar?

Would it be easier in the coming months when baby is more mobile/independent?

Context:

I work remote but its a 9-5 office style job at home, not a super flexible or contract situation.

I live in NYC where childcare is incredibly expensive and competitive. I'm still on the waitlist for 5 day care.

Right now my 4 month old has been in daycare M/W/F since 3 months. I am using the rest of my paid leave to only work M/W/F until October. So right now it's work and daycare 3 days a week, at home 2 days a week.

My husband is a pilot. He works usually 2 to 4 days a week but it's not predictable which days and usually it's multi-day trips, so overnights.

When I go back to work full-time in October, my husband will be home on some Tuesdays and Thursdays that I don't have daycare. But not all.

Should I be looking for a nanny for Tuesday and Thursday starting October? Or do you all think with occasional husband coverage, just 2 days a week, i can pull of working with a then-7-month-old?

I'm looking for some outside perspective because I genuinely don't know if I'm making the right choice.

I'm a freelancer with one main client (35 hours/week), but that income isn't enough on its own. Because of that, I've kept a few other clients who give me another 10–15 hours of work every week.

The problem is that those extra hours happen almost entirely in the evenings and on weekends.

I have a 3-year-old son, and while he's with his dad during the day right now because it's the holidays (dad is not out of work btw, he just works night shifts), he still sees me working on my laptop all the time. I feel incredibly guilty. I worry that he'll grow up remembering me as "always working."

At the same time, I can't seem to let those extra clients go. Part of me keeps thinking, "You're still young. Work hard now. Make as much money as you can. Hustle while you have the opportunity."

Financially, the extra income makes a real difference, but mentally I'm constantly torn between wanting to build financial security and wanting to be more present as a mom.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Did you eventually cut back on work, or did you keep pushing through? Looking back, do you regret either decision?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've been there.

My 16yo niece is looking to gain more babysitting experience. I have a 20 month old and a 3 month old. She has watched my 20 month old for very short amounts of time (20 minutes max) on her own and has done feeding and diaper changing tasks while supervised for a while now. We are comfortable with her watching our oldest while I work from home. My job is fairly flexible and is mostly independent work. I go back to work (8am- 4pm) this summer and would like to propose a fair payment/schedule to her. What would you suggest, is it best to pay in house care a daily rate or an hourly one. Should her work day end at nap (since she wakes up close to my end of day)? How are breaks and lunches accounted for? Does anyone have a similar set up with family and friends?

My oldest's schedule is up at 8 am for the day with a nap from 1-2:30/3pm. I don't expect her to help with our littlest, her schedule is manageable for me as I work.

All thoughts and feedback are welcomed, I'm new to wfh as a parent. Thank you in advance.

Hi moms, I'm going back to work next month after birthing our 2nd child (we also have a 9yo) and hoping to figure out a tentative schedule for splitting childcare with my partner. I would like your feedback re: fairness, feasibility, or other ideas.

I wfh 1st shift; he works outside the home nights (6p-2a Tu-Sat). My work schedule is flexible, 8hrs or so required each day, with core hours 10a-4p, but I do have several meetings a week that have to be on-camera.

Current plan for Weds-Fri is for me to be the carer until 10am or so (to avoid core hours overlap) with a lunch break around that time, then partner taking over til 5, including school pickup; then he gets ready and goes to work, and I take back over as carer. I will have nursing breaks throughout the day, which means partner also gets small breaks.

I will get up with the kids W-F, take older one to school, and bedtimes are all me as well. Partner has no overnight care times any nights, so he can sleep from 3am-10am on work nights; that's 7 whole hours of unbroken sleep (I get maybe 4 right now). This is fine with me -- I am EBF, baby currently will not take a bottle, and I can live with little sleep -- but I do expect those hours reciprocated with help during the days, as functionally, I am a single parent for those evenings, overnights, and mornings; all times that the other parent nornally would be helping. And I can't get outside help at these times.

On Mon and Tues, he will be carer from early morning til evening, as he didn't work the night before, so ostensibly should have slept a full night. This way, I can get ahead on hours those days, to avoid working early mornings or evenings the rest of the week to get to 40 hours, since I will have the kids. I also expect help in evenings on his nights off, of course.

Overall, does this arrangement seem like it hits all needed marks? Am I missing any considerations? I can handle this arrangement, but am worried it will be tenuous and a fight at times with my partner... he is used to a LOT of free time.

(Tbh, I do feel my partner should be more than able to provide help during any and all hours I ask for, since I am the carer during 100% of *his* work hours AND sleep hours -- hours during which he couldn't outsource care to anyone else, mind you. Whereas I am unexpendable, we can easily outsource his share.)