Remote work. The holy grail of modern parenting—at least, that’s what the memes say.
Picture it: You, in your comfiest loungewear, sipping artisan coffee, gliding through conference calls while your child pensively builds a quiet Lego city.
Is that a unicorn galloping across your garden, too?
Let’s face it, working from home with kids is a mixed bag of sticky hands, blaring cartoons, and a Wi-Fi connection that chooses the most dramatic moments to quit.
Below, we’re debunking the most common work-from-home myths plaguing parents, with hard-earned wisdom and a bit of gallows humor.
1. I’ll Get More Done Working From Home
Ah, the hope that lured us all in. The promise of tapping away at the keyboard, undisturbed, fueled by the magical productivity of your own kitchen table.
Reality check: Children possess a sixth sense. The very moment you open a spreadsheet, someone needs a snack, a wipe, or a referee for a sibling saga.
Research from the Harvard Business Review found that parents actually reported more frequent interruptions than their office-based counterparts.
Here’s what works: Set clear, visible “work times”—a colored sign on the door, a kitchen timer, or a basket of special “work-only” toys.
Even little ones can learn that when the blue sign is up, mum or dad is not to be disturbed except for emergencies (and yes, a missing sock can count as an emergency under age six).
Don’t forget to communicate with your boss or team. Let them know your family schedule and set realistic expectations.
A bit of honesty beats apologising for every cameo by your toddler in a dinosaur costume.
2. Kids Will Quietly Entertain Themselves
The phrase “independent play” sounds blissful, doesn’t it?
Surely, if you provide enough puzzles, crayons, and a screen with a parental lock, the children will amuse themselves while you work?
The truth: The odds of a child entertaining themselves for hours are about the same as finding your lost car keys on the first try. Even screen time, the magic elixir of 21st-century parenting, can fizzle out surprisingly quickly.
As psychologist Dr. Laura Markham points out, solo play is a skill that develops with practice, not an innate superpower.
What helps? Rotate toys so they feel new, and break the day into little “stations”—like an activity circuit at the gym, but for small people.
Try 20-minute blocks: drawing at the table, trampoline in the garden, a music playlist for dancing in the hall. It gives the illusion of variety, while buying you precious minutes to answer email.
And when all else fails, there’s always cardboard boxes. Never underestimate the entertainment value of a giant box and some markers.
3. I Won’t Need Childcare Anymore
This one’s a classic. Why bother with nursery fees when you’re home anyway? You’ll just multitask, right?
Cue the laugh track. Many parents discover that trying to work while caring for very young children is, well, two jobs. At once.
The American Academy of Pediatrics bluntly states that “infants and toddlers should not be expected to entertain themselves for long periods.”
Many families find part-time childcare, a generous grandparent, or a regular babysitting swap with a fellow parent is worth its weight in gold.
Even a couple of hours, a few mornings a week, lets you schedule meetings, meet deadlines, and keep your sanity.
If paid childcare isn’t an option, try a virtual co-working session with a friend.
Take turns watching each other’s children via video call (yes, it actually works for short stints), or trade “quiet time” shifts with your partner if you’re both home.
4. I Can Schedule My Work Around Family Like a Pro
Ah, the myth of the beautifully choreographed day: A little work, a little play, everyone thriving.
The reality often looks more like a game of Whack-a-Mole: as soon as you finish one task, three more pop up (and someone’s spilled milk).
Rigid schedules rarely survive the morning. Instead, try working in short, focused bursts—also known as the Pomodoro technique.
Set a timer for 25 minutes of work followed by a five-minute break to check on the kids, stretch, or mop up said milk.
Studies show this method helps maintain focus and reduces stress, especially for those juggling multiple roles.
Some families thrive on a whiteboard schedule, updated daily, with everyone’s activities and meetings in clear sight. Others use colour-coded calendars online.
The secret isn’t perfection, but flexibility and a willingness to change things up when life throws you a curveball (or a tantrum).
5. Remote Work Means Better Work-Life Balance
It’s easy to assume working from home will restore balance—no commute, fewer office distractions, more time with the kids.
Yet many parents find the lines blur instead.
That early morning email check quickly eats into breakfast. Chores beckon from every corner (how are there always so many socks on the floor?).
And when you never truly leave “the office,” it’s easy to feel like you’re always on.
Drawing boundaries is essential. Try setting up a dedicated workspace—even if it’s just a corner of the bedroom, marked off with a houseplant.
Use rituals to start and end your workday: a cup of tea, a quick walk around the block, or shutting the laptop with a theatrical flourish. Your children will see these cues and slowly catch on (well, maybe).
Turn off notifications when you’re not working. The world won’t end if you reply to that email after dinner.
And try to give your full attention—whether to work or your family—when you can, instead of endlessly multitasking.
6. Video Calls Will Be Professional and Polished
Instagram lied to us.
Those perfectly tidy backgrounds, the calm parent sipping coffee in front of tasteful bookshelves…not pictured: the toddler streaking past in their pants, the dog barking at the postman, the science project erupting off-camera.
Professionalism is important, but it looks a little different when working from home with kids.
Colleagues are generally more understanding than you’d think; after all, many are in the same boat (or at least paddling nearby).
Mitigate chaos by setting kids up with a snack and an activity before big calls. Use the “mute” button liberally.
And if a little voice pipes up mid-presentation, smile and introduce your pint-sized co-worker. LinkedIn’s survey showed that more than 60% of professionals became more empathetic to colleagues’ home lives during the remote work boom.
Investing in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, or even a virtual background, can help you fake a sense of calm when reality looks more like a playgroup than a boardroom.
7. It’s Supposed to Feel Easier
Many parents stick with remote work because it sounds easier.
Newsflash: Some days, it’s not. And that’s okay.
Some weeks, you’ll feel like an absolute hero: business milestones smashed, kids fed and content, and laundry not quite overtaking the sofa. Other days, you’ll wonder if you’re failing at everything, all at once.
The mental load is real—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. The trick lies in lowering the bar when you need to.
Celebrate the tiny wins (like getting through a call without anyone crying—including you). Share the struggles with other parents; chances are, they’re nodding along in solidarity.
Self-compassion is your best friend. Some days will be messy. Some will be magical. Most will be somewhere in between.
The Truth About Working From Home With Kids
Remote work, for parents, is more about acceptance than perfection. No one has it all together, not really—not even the Pinterest-perfect mum with the colour-coded planner.
The lies we tell ourselves about working from home are born from hope, necessity, and a lot of wishful thinking.
Toss those myths out the window. Embrace the chaos.
And remember: If everyone is (mostly) fed, (occasionally) clothed, and you’ve managed to mute yourself before yelling “WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES?”, you’re doing great.
Now, where did you put your coffee?
