I do most of my work in my office, so here's a few things that have worked so far:
1. I keep a file cabinet drawer (will need to expand to 2 I think) for diapers, a change of clothes (for both of us), washclothes, wipes, etc. I CD at home, but it's not really feasable at work, so I use sposies (usually 7th gen). To keep the office fresh, I got a stash of ziplock bags from a lab down the hall that ordered too many. I put the dirty dipes in there, and then either dump them in the dumpster and save the bag, or bring them home at the end of the week, and dispose of them there. That way the cleaning staff doesn't have to deal with a trash can full of dipers.
2. I organized my office so that there is a big section of unfurnished space. Part of that space I use for a changing area, and the rest is space for ds to play.
3. I have a swing chair and an exercaucer that just live in the office. I probably wouldn't have even gotten these kinds of things if I was at home, but they really are a big help here (especially the swing, it's where ds naps).
4. Most of the people at work know that ds is in the office with me. I keep my office door closed but not locked, and people just knock if they want to come in. I work in a very multi-cultural environment (a large percentage of my coworkers are men from Islamic countries or China), and not everyone who works here is ready to walk down the hall and see me sitting at my desk breastfeeding.
5. I have two coworkers that I spend most of my time working with. I've set up an IM program with them, and we use it to take care of a lot of things that I used to run down the hall to talk to them about. I've also set it up so that they can tell if I'm in the office or working from home.
6. I don't have a need for a baby monitor at home, but I got one as a gift, so I brought it to the office. I use it so that I can run down the hall (mostly to use the bathroom) when ds is asleep and keep an 'ear' on him.
7. I keep my jogger in the office and we go out for a run every day that I'm here for the full 8 or so hours. Ds really likes going in the stroller and it's a nice break. I also keep my carrier with me (either a sling or an Ergo) and if it's nice, we try to find some excuse to go for a walk. At lunch we all go outside if the weather is good, and ds sometimes goes to a little playground.
I'm lucky with dh in the same building, he can take over for me when I need to go to a meeting or something like that. He does lab work (he, however, squeezes water into rocks and then back out again
)so he can't watch him all day, but he is a great backup.
One issue I'm dealing with right now is that ds is teething (has been kind of grumpy and loud all week) He doesn't cry much, but sometimes he makes this screeching sound when his teeth are bothering him. Of course, being his mom, I think it is the loudest, most troubling sound on earth, and I just imagine my coworkers running out of the building with their hands over their ears! Usually, a change in activity and some hylands tabs helps him feel better (i.e. if he's in my lap, I'll put him down on a blanket for some floor time, and vice versa) and if he gets really upset, I'll grab the sling and we'll go outside for a bit.
I probably get in about 5-6 hours of actual work during an 8 hour day, but I try to put in more time every evening after he goes to bed, and a few hours on the weekends. I also try to be a bit more efficient (and on that note, ought to get back to work
)
:
Kids in the office can have a way of lightening the mood and making ppl feel good in general.
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it's because he doesn't do any house chores while he's working that he manages to effectively work from home. I on the other hand tend to put in a load of laundry, sweep the floor, etc.
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