Remote work with a 2yo is basically impossible, right?

Dec 191 min read

My company is pushing everyone back to the office 3 days a week starting next month. I've been full remote for 2 years and honestly it's been great for being present after school pickup. But my boss is now saying I need to come in Mon-Wed-Fri. My wife works part-time and we can't afford full-time daycare for those three days. Anyone else dealing with this pushback? How are you handling it?

12 comments372 views

Comments(12)

BBen L.RegularDec 19

This is rough because the push back is legit hard but also a 2yo and remote work IS basically impossible. Like you're not really doing either one well when you're trying to do both. What if you negotiated for like 2 days instead of 3?

AArchie M.RegularDec 19

Have you thought about backup childcare for those 3 days? Like a sitter or daycare situation? Not ideal but it might be less stressful than trying to actually work while your 2yo is destroying the house

MMarcus L.RegularDec 20

Being there for pickup was the entire reason I pushed for remote work too. This sucks but honestly after the initial adjustment most people say 3 days in office isn't that bad. It's the disruption that's hard

LLiam S.RegularDec 20

Being present for pickup has tangible benefits too though. Not trying to sell the remote thing back to you but don't undersell how much that consistency matters for a young kid. Make sure your boss knows what they're asking you to give up

JJared C.RegularDec 20

2yo at home while trying to do actual work is genuinely impossible. This isn't about being unwilling - the math just doesn't work. Your boss probably hasn't done this so they don't get it

SSam P.RegularDec 20

Document what actually works for you during this transition period. Some managers respond better to data than complaints. Show them your productivity during remote weeks vs office weeks. Sometimes numbers change minds

RReggie K.New DadDec 20

the school pickup argument is real though. that's legit one of the best things about remote work with younger kids. Can you show your boss the data on your productivity for the last 2 years? Sometimes that helps their case if you're actually still getting results

MMike R.New DadDec 20

Yeah I went back to office part-time after being remote for a year with a toddler and honestly? The few hours of uninterrupted work were kind of amazing. You might actually find you like those days once you get over the initial guilt

SSteve C.RegularDec 20

Not impossible but yeah it's brutal with a 2yo. I did it for about 6 months and it tanked my productivity. Every call had someone yelling in the background. We negotiated for mornings only - he goes to daycare early and that helped

RRick H.RegularDec 20

Could you swing a childcare arrangement for those 3 days even temporarily? Not ideal but it might be the bridge that gets your boss to realize the all-office thing isn't sustainable for parents

SSteve L.RegularDec 21

The school pickup thing is huge but maybe frame it to your boss as: 2 days in office, 3 days remote? Meet them halfway and you still get most of your benefits back

DDan M.RegularDec 21

The office mandate sucks but real talk - being there for school pickup after 2 years of remote is huge. That consistency matters. Can you negotiate hybrid on different days or compressed weeks?