Remote work is killing my boundaries

3w ago·1 min read

I work from home and thought it would be perfect for spending more time with the kids, but instead I'm working until 9pm every night because my office is literally 20 steps away. My boss keeps pinging me about projects after hours and I don't feel like I can say no. Meanwhile my kids are going to bed without me saying goodnight most nights. How do you guys actually enforce an end time to your workday? I need to figure this out before I miss the entire childhood.

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Comments(5)

MMatteoRegular3w ago

The hardest part for me was feeling guilty for saying no to the kids during work hours. Like I'm right there but I can't help. Had to make peace with that pretty quick or I'd go insane.

DDean F.Regular3w ago

Set a hard stop time and stick to it, even if it feels weird at first. Your family needs you present more than your boss needs you working until 9pm.

EEric W.New Dad3w ago

You gotta shut it down at a certain time or work will just consume everything. I learned that the hard way with three kids at home.

JJason B.New Dad3w ago

Have you tried setting specific 'kid time' blocks outside of work hours? Like even just an hour after you finish makes a huge difference. The kids know when they get your full attention instead of half attention all day.

SSean M.New Dad3w ago

Oh man this is the real struggle nobody talks about. They think remote work means you're automatically available but you're literally still working. I had to literally close my office door and set specific times when I'm 'off'. Boundaries are everything.

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