WORKING FROM HOME IN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

I'm always going to be one to scream from the rooftops all of the benefits that come with working from home, but of course with the perks come the pitfalls too - of which they are plentiful, believe me. Yet during the summer holidays this year, I've realised just how truly lucky I am to be working from home. Sure it's been difficult at times, and not having the most reliable childcare situation has meant a lot (and I mean A LOT) of super late nights, but it's also meant I'm home with my kids and whilst a lack of sleep is apparent, there are so many other issues we've managed to avoid that had I been still in my 9-5 job out of the house, we would of had to face.


Firstly, I'm just grateful for the sheer fact that we're dictated by our own routine. If I want to allow Noah a little bit of a late night then I can because I know he can lay in during the morning hours as we have to plans or alarms set. I'm not jumping out of bed and whacking on my ntt customised uniform to head out the door for 10+ hours, instead we get to have a leisurely breakfast at our own pace. Just the concept of slow mornings now are wonderful and not something I will be taking for granted. I survived on coffee before, now I can go weeks or even months without touching a drop.

So, why else am I suddenly part of the 'being a work from home Mum in the holidays is amazing' club? In a word, childcare. My friend Faye touched upon this on her instagram this week and she hit the nail on the head, the pressure for Mums especially but I'm sure Dads' too - to constantly have their a-game together in terms of childcare is a lot. It's hard, whether you're searching for childcare that wont leave you broke, therefore relying on friends and family, or even if you are having to rely on nurseries and holiday clubs - it is incredibly difficult. I know so many parents that simply work to pay for childcare during the breaks from school which is such a sad fact, but, one that happens more and more. Taking time off to look after your children is often frowned upon, Faye mentioned she'd been collared for having too many days off for dependency leave (I think it was 3/4 in total in a year) which is insane, right? Dependency leave is there for that exact reason, your dependent needs you and that's that, we don't have a say in it, it's not optional, they can't fend for themselves, they need you and therefore you have to be off. Yet in the eyes of a business it's frustrating and ultimately casts a little smudge against your record.

I was lucky in my job, my manager was incredibly understanding if I took time off, especially at a time when Patrick suffered with CMPA and sickness was a regular thing. Another issue for parents who have children in childcare such as nurseries or after school clubs, any hint of sickness and you trigger the wonderful 48 hour spell. I understand how important it is for other childrens immunity etc but when you have a child like Patrick who was simply sick due to an allergy, it can be frustrating to watch them bop around happy as larry for two days whilst you're taking time off work - as they're not poorly.

It's tough finding that balance when you're a working parent. I'm not sat here saying that parents who head out the door each morning to work away have a heavy burden on their back, but they definitely have some extra pressure during these holidays. Childcare is expensive, it's never completely reliable and you're always one phone call away from a 'can you come and pick them up?' call. So forgive me if during these six weeks I've felt a slight relief that I didn't have to juggle all of those balls. Working from home isn't without it's faults, but I'm just glad that childcare hasn't been an extra plate I've had to spin this month.

*This is a collaborative post