Remote work setup advice - 4yo keeps interrupting my Zoom calls

Dec 8·1 min read

So my wife and I worked out that I'd do remote 3 days/week to help with childcare costs, but our 4-year-old Mason doesn't understand why daddy is "home but can't play." Yesterday he literally climbed under my desk during a client presentation. I set up a little "office hours" for him (2-3pm) but the other times are still chaos. Anyone else doing remote work with young kids? How do you set boundaries without feeling like a jerk?

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Comments(5)

NNick G.RegularDec 9

Oh man the 'home but can't play' thing is brutal. Did he actually get IN your Zoom or is this just the psychological warfare of him knowing you're there?

DDave K.RegularDec 8

Has Mason's school started yet? Once he's back in a routine with actual structure during the day it gets easier. Right now he's got no reference point for 'dad is working' because you're literally in the house.

RRay C.RegularDec 10

We had to get a babysitter for my husband's Zoom meeting days because a 4yo literally cannot understand that concept. Having a parent present but unavailable is worse than them being gone, honestly.

MMatt S.RegularDec 11

This is the remote parent classic. My suggestion: can you give him a specific 'work time' during those calls where he gets your full attention after, like even 15 minutes? Gives him something to anticipate instead of constantly interrupting.

DDean F.RegularDec 11

The cost savings of remote 3 days/week might not be worth the Zoom interruptions honestly. Could you move important calls to when your wife has him elsewhere? Or set a firm 'no calls on certain days' boundary?