Windsor Oak Double Pedestal Desk

It's an all too common dilemma these days: you want/need to go back to work after having a child but you don't want to leave them in the care of someone else, and even if that didn't bother you, the cost of a nursery or childminder might negate any earnings. Maybe you don't have a child but your field of work just doesn't require that you leave the house. Organisation and discipline are required but it's definitely achievable and if done correctly, very satisfying.

Which Job?

It's surprising how many employers will allow flexible working conditions, including working from home at least some of the time. So if you don’t fancy leaving your current job, it's worth approaching the powers that be and ask the question. After all, you can see clients and attend board meetings via Skype or Join.me and files can be emailed or shared via sites like Dropbox or iCloud. If this doesn't sound appealing, you could consider a starting a small, craft-based business. If the idea of retraining appeals to you, which could be done part-time or in the evenings, there are a host of service careers where clients would be happy to come to the home, such as massage therapy or even guidance counselling. And if you have a child and choose not to leave your child with a childminder, it doesn't mean you couldn't become a one yourself. Whatever you decide to do from home, you may well need additional insurance, as your normal home/contents probably won't cover you and if you work for yourself, you will need public liability insurance as well.

Disciplined

Successfully working from home with a child won't be simple. You will need to be disciplined and stay away from the TV and social media (unless the latter is relevant to your job). You and your child will need to stick to a routine, with set times for work, interactive play, exercise, meals, etc. An infant will hopefully still take frequent naps but the three-year-old will need to be kept occupied most of the time, so rather than sticking them in front of a screen while you work, you may wish to call on relatives or friends for occasional help. A range of creative and interactive toys are a must, provided they're not too messy or noisy.

Organisation

Ideally, convert a spare room into your home office, craft room or treatment room. If you're a parent and have a young child(ren), you will need to be able to keep an eye on them, so if possible, cordon off and child-proof an area of the room or invest in a playpen. Regardless of your career, you will have equipment and materials to store and organise. Even if you become a freelance writer, don't opt for sitting on the couch with your laptop; it's too easy to lose focus. Invest in a quality oak desk, preferably with a hutch, so that everything has a place and can be easily accessed. Keep materials in clearly labelled storage containers and regularly update stock levels. You will also need a filing cabinet for receipts, invoices, orders, insurance documents, etc. and if you'd rather not have your home looking too much like an office, there are solid oak filing cabinets available, which look more like a piece of furniture.

Working from home can be the best compromise when you're a parent, provided you have the right mind set and plenty of patience.