About two months ago I found myself with a WAH job opportunity that has expanded rapidly. Originally I thought it was going to be about 10 hours a week, but every couple of weeks since then it's grown - and this past week I worked 42 hours.
I'm currently doing work that will eventually be delegated to 2-3 staff people who will work under me. I'm doing writing/copyediting/research, managing correspondence and reports, and almost completely running the virtual office for a team of five people in different states. When I have staff, I will be able to make sure things don't fall through the cracks, but I will almost certainly be working 25-35 hours/week even then.
My work is very flexible and is nearly all computer-based, with a conference call or two here and there.
I have four kids ages 4-10 and we homeschool (unschool). We live rurally and go to town 2-3x a week for playdates and activities. So far I've been able to protect those blocks of time and work around them easily. The challenge is finding enough time to fit it all in, and so far I think we're doing pretty well.
My DH works out of the home but also has some computer-based contract jobs on the side that he does on evenings and weekends. That work is also flexible and will end in a matter of weeks. It's interesting seeing how my DH is stepping in to be with the kids, where before I was always the primary parent.
Getting childcare is not an option. But I'm able to drop my work instantly if the kids need me, and I am up and down at my desk pretty much all day long. The kids seem really fine with it. My youngest is very independent, my oldest two are really helpful with the youngers, and in the two months we have been doing this it's been just fine. Also the hours expectation is not set in stone and I can choose how much to work...but the job is a big one and I want to do well.
I guess I am just bewildered and feeling like I landed in Oz unexpectedly, because I didn't seek out this job, never imagined I would work fulltime or even halftime with kids this young, and after 10 years of SAHM (not working) it's a big adjustment. But the timing is perfect - my DH was nearly laid off at the time I got hired for this, and his job may not be stable with the economy changing. My new job is a lot more stable and would be insurance against him losing his. Also we can pay off our small debt and then save for a downpayment on land, which is our ultimate goal (to buy land, build, and be mortgage-free as soon as possible).
I could really use some encouragement from anyone who has BTDT with this level of hours working at home. (Please, no flames - I need positive support). I could never in a million years have imagined this situation or that it would work out for us, but I can imagine it now, and I'd like some reassurance that other people have successfully done something similar.
I'm currently doing work that will eventually be delegated to 2-3 staff people who will work under me. I'm doing writing/copyediting/research, managing correspondence and reports, and almost completely running the virtual office for a team of five people in different states. When I have staff, I will be able to make sure things don't fall through the cracks, but I will almost certainly be working 25-35 hours/week even then.
My work is very flexible and is nearly all computer-based, with a conference call or two here and there.
I have four kids ages 4-10 and we homeschool (unschool). We live rurally and go to town 2-3x a week for playdates and activities. So far I've been able to protect those blocks of time and work around them easily. The challenge is finding enough time to fit it all in, and so far I think we're doing pretty well.
My DH works out of the home but also has some computer-based contract jobs on the side that he does on evenings and weekends. That work is also flexible and will end in a matter of weeks. It's interesting seeing how my DH is stepping in to be with the kids, where before I was always the primary parent.
Getting childcare is not an option. But I'm able to drop my work instantly if the kids need me, and I am up and down at my desk pretty much all day long. The kids seem really fine with it. My youngest is very independent, my oldest two are really helpful with the youngers, and in the two months we have been doing this it's been just fine. Also the hours expectation is not set in stone and I can choose how much to work...but the job is a big one and I want to do well.
I guess I am just bewildered and feeling like I landed in Oz unexpectedly, because I didn't seek out this job, never imagined I would work fulltime or even halftime with kids this young, and after 10 years of SAHM (not working) it's a big adjustment. But the timing is perfect - my DH was nearly laid off at the time I got hired for this, and his job may not be stable with the economy changing. My new job is a lot more stable and would be insurance against him losing his. Also we can pay off our small debt and then save for a downpayment on land, which is our ultimate goal (to buy land, build, and be mortgage-free as soon as possible).
I could really use some encouragement from anyone who has BTDT with this level of hours working at home. (Please, no flames - I need positive support). I could never in a million years have imagined this situation or that it would work out for us, but I can imagine it now, and I'd like some reassurance that other people have successfully done something similar.
My online writing/research job vanished, and I'm looking for another one.
We're moving to Putney as soon as our house sells. 
