Working from home can feel like a rollercoaster ride at times. You’ll have some excellent days and then other days where the kids seem to want everything from you. These days more parents are finding that they have to switch to work at home due to restrictions at their workplace or in their state.
Whether you’re new to working from home or experienced with the work at home world, we wanted to share some of our favorite pros and cons of being a work at home parent. These pros and cons should remind you that you’re not alone in your everyday battles as a working parent.
Pro – More Time with Family
The reality is work at home parents are able to spend more time with their family. While this could go under the con category, too, we wanted to include it in the pro column. Being there when your family has a special event or emergency is a positive part of being a work at home parent.
Pro – No Annoying Coworkers
One of the absolute favorite reasons that many working parents enjoying work at home is not having to deal with annoying coworkers. You will have the peace of mind that you’re able to sit in your office alone getting work done without coworkers distracting you with stupid conversations.
Pro – Save Money and Time
Another fabulous reason that working at home is a fabulous option is the amount of money and time you save without the commute. You won’t have to put gas and extra mileage on your vehicle, because your office is right at home. You’ll have more time to devote to working hours, too!
Pro – Major Flexibility
Some working parents that are opting for work at home for an employer may not have as much flexibility as the average work at home parent, but you still get a bit of it. You’ll be more apt to adjust your schedule based on your family needs so that you’re around more often.
Con – Kids Can Be Annoying
No matter how much you love your kids, the fact is that kids can be annoying. Your kids may not understand that you’re working and interrupt your work hours. This can include random questions or frequent boredom rants, so this can be filed under the cons of working at home.
Con – Salary Reduction
Sometimes a working parent takes a salary reduction when they switch from working at the office to working from their home. Many employers won’t be paying the extra salary they include for employees that travel to the office to be a working parent, so this could impact your financial status.
Con – Feeling Lonely
If you’re an extrovert and need that interaction with other adults during your workday, then working from home could cause you to feel lonely. You’ll start to feel isolated and crave that outside socialization with other adults.
These are just some of our pros and cons of being a work at home parent, but we realize this list can go on with more pros and cons. These are the top pros and cons that working parents have expressed as we venture into a new normal of parents working from their home.