In America, we work more than any other nation. We work hard to provide the life we want for our loved ones. There is a never-ending list of demands from the paychecks we earn for our family: a home, car, food, clothing, schooling, activities, vacations, and childcare. Many of us find to pursue a career we are often forced to pay large chunks of money for childcare. Is this the only option?
The costs of childcare are growing. In a 2018 Care.com survey, it costs $211 for weekly childcare for an infant. They found that one in three families spend nearly 20% of their income on childcare. Families that forgo childcare, by keeping one parent at home to raise the children, may save up to $10,000 a year. Yet, the parent who stays home may find that their earning potential permanently diminished by taking time off to raise children. Should you work to support your family and have someone care for your children? Or should one parent stay home and potentially jeopardize their career prospects? You shouldn’t have to choose.
Many families are looking for alternatives to these scenarios. They want flexible work schedules for each parent so that they can be fully present in their children’s lives. Working from home is one way to save money on childcare, and more importantly, be actively present in your child’s life each day. Following are five of the benefits your family could experience from working from home.
- A flexible schedule. Families are busier than ever. There are doctors appointments, school and recreation activities, etc. And somewhere in all that chaos, there’s a desire to spend time together as a family. When you work from home, you can arrange your working time around these important events so that you can be there for your family.
- Better health. Working from home is a healthier option for you and your family. It can lead to stress reduction, more time to exercise and eat healthy, greater personal satisfaction, and even lowers your risk of being hurt in an accident at work or on your commute.
- More quality family time. The days may feel long when you are parenting, but the years go fast. If you want to be actively involved in your child’s life, working from home can be a big help. You can schedule a time to play and respond to your child’s needs and concerns as they happen. You’ll still have to set boundaries when it is time to work, but it will be easier to make the time you have to spend together more meaningful when you are right there at home.
- More time with your partner. Working from home is a great way to sneak in more time with your partner. It can be hard as your family grows to carve out the time to enjoy one another. When you have a flexible work schedule, you can take advantage of times when you are childfree, instead of being stuck at the office.
- More time for self-care. How you take care of yourself is essential. To be successful on your own, you need to develop the personal skills to manage your time, health and personal development. You can have the time to learn about yourself and develop hobbies and interests that fulfill your life.
Your family may be your biggest accomplishment. Therefore, your work should support your loved ones in the best way possible. It’s time to make a change so you can present in your daily family life by working from home. Give your family the gift of your time.