Olivia Maier
Having a traditional office job typically comes with the work hours of 9–5. But, once you factor in time spent commuting, you could easily be out of the house for over 12 hours every day. This can mean missing out on dropping your kids off at school, seeing during the day school presentations and exhibitions, and even after school sports games.
For decades the rhetoric has been that parents MUST choose: being involved in their children’s lives, or advancing their career. This is clearly an outdated thought, but it isn’t always supported in modern work environments.
If you find yourself wanting to commit yourself to work, but not wanting all of the strings attached, then remote work may be the right way for you.
Flexible hours, which will help you create a schedule that works for you, and the people most important to you.
There is no need to take a step backward in your career, to have more time at home. Countless positions can be done remotely, including management roles. This means that you won’t have to choose between your career and your kids. Remote work gives you a chance to have it all.
Flexible location, which gives you the flexibility to travel or relocate as it works best for your family. This includes working vacations, traveling for sports tournaments, or just working entirely from your home.
With increased savings, no cost of commuting, babysitters or nannies, or expensive daycare centers, you will be able to save money in unexpected places. This means that you can invest more money in the people who matter to you the most.
I might’ve been able to convince you that remote work is the way to go, but it still might seem overwhelming. Here are some tips on how to make working remote, work for you.
Find your work zone
Whether you work at your kitchen table, a home office, or someplace in between, having a designated zone can have numerous benefits. It can help you get into a work mode quickly, stay organized, and stay professional.
Create your network
The great thing about working remotely is that there are people all over the world who can give you advice. Connecting with other remote workers virtually, or in your local community, can help you as you go through your remote journey. Check LinkedIn groups centered around remote work, or local coworking communities to find other remote workers!
Take advantage of technology
Find resources that can help you as you work virtually. To get started, look to productivity apps, communication software, online planners, and industry-specific tools to help you stay on top of your job.
The short answer? Almost any!
But, a good place to start trying to find remote work, would be where you currently work! Talk to your boss about remote work options, and how to make that work best for everyone.
If you’re looking for a change, check job sites such as Flexjobs.com, which features remote, freelance, and part-time jobs. Other job posting sites such as LinkedIn and Indeed will also feature remote work, just use the location “virtual”, “remote”, or “anywhere” in your search. Another tip, follow tech news sites to see which companies are at the forefront of digitalization. These businesses are usually more open when it comes to flexible job positions, which will lead to more career development.
We believe that the modern parent today deserves to have it all, time with their family, a career they love, and a way to make it all happen. That is why we love helping remote teams function the best they can. At the core, we are a remote team ourselves (some of us are parents too), living the daily benefits of having a remote-first working environment.
Modern parents aren’t the only ones who can make remote work, work for them. Comment below if you’re curious if your lifestyle can go remote, and stay tuned to hear more about the benefits of working remote for different lifestyles.
