For some, resuming a professional activity does not necessarily mean childcare arrangements! The choice is made differently by working while having your baby with you. Of course, this is not possible for everyone and can be adapted in various ways. Shall we talk about it?
Why work with your baby?
Choosing to not have your baby in daycare despite returning to work is a decision that can surprise in our cultures. The reasons are often very diverse depending on families, including notably:
- The desire to stay with your baby as long as possible
- The difficulty in finding suitable childcare
- Specific child needs requiring parental presence or making care more complex
Working with your child is also a matter of compromise, with part-time childcare only, which allows you to spend more time with them while preserving a space 100% dedicated to your job.
What jobs can be combined with having your baby?
Before imagining organization, it is relevant to question the jobs that can be combined with the presence of your child by your side.
If you are self-employed, all activities with flexible hours at your convenience and done from home can easily allow you to keep your baby. During their wakeful times, you can take care of them, and during their naps and in the evening and/or early morning, you can work, for example.
With a salaried job, on paper it’s a bit the same, but in reality it depends on the flexibility of your schedule and your employer’s tolerance! If for various reasons your hours are not flexible, for example, keep in mind that teleworking with your child can quickly become a source of discomfort and frustration, especially if considered full-time.
Many self-employed parents also bring their children with them including for missions outside the home: you can find babies in some stores, fields, markets, etc. They integrate into community life! It requires a little organization but is entirely feasible if that’s your wish.
However, we advise against activities that could compromise the safety or well-being of the child. If you are a taxi driver, for example, it’s not really advisable for your baby to spend their day in a car seat with you!
Organizing when working with your child
Working with your child requires a minimum of organization… and especially flexibility!!!
If you imagined that your little one would nap most of the time and that you could simply work during those times, you are very likely to be disappointed.
Here it is.
So, how do we manage?
Well, as always, we adapt because we are super-parents!
The golden rule of parenting is that children always have a knack for being the most demanding of attention and fighting as much as possible to NOT SLEEP because SLEEP IS A SURFACE when you absolutely need to finish an important file or connect to a video meeting.
Here are some tips that might help you:
- It’s better to start by addressing your child's need for attention rather than trying to delay it: once this need is satisfied, your little one will be calmer and you will be able to work more efficiently (and thus save time!)
- Take advantage of moments when you have others who can look after your little one to schedule meetings or tasks requiring more concentration.
- Is it a no-day? It happens. Take your baby carrier and go get some fresh air with your baby, you'll work better once everyone is relaxed!
- Secure as much as possible the space where you work with your child, once they start moving it will allow you to be more serene and not fear that they put themselves in danger if you are a little less attentive for a few moments.
- If possible, schedule as many work blocks as you can early in the morning and/or late at night, at times when your child almost certainly sleeps and when you have your partner’s support.
- If you work
Until when can you keep your child with you to work?
Very young, your little one takes several naps, can be placed in a baby carrier and does not move much yet or only a little, so it’s fairly easy to organize your work in their presence.
As they grow, sleep times decrease, and they demand more and more attention
and vigilance, and it is important to gradually incorporate more awakening activities into their days, as well as outings so that they can meet other children of their age. This is no longer very compatible with most jobs. 
So, it is often around 10-12 months that you should start a transition to a childcare mode… Not necessarily full-time, a few hours a week can sometimes suffice to meet everyone's needs!
Useful resources when working with your baby
Always useful to have or plan:
- A carrying system, ideally dorsal harness mastery as soon as possible, the parent’s hands-free kit which meets everyone's needs!
- An attractive toy to take out in anticipation of a moment when you want to focus your child on an activity so you can concentrate on an important task.
- Food: a hungry child is a grumpy child. Delaying meal times to finish a task is always a bad idea.
- A grandmother, a friend, or a kind neighbor you know well and who could look after your little one for an hour or so from time to time, always convenient occasionally!
What are the advantages of keeping your child with you
If working with your child involves a certain organizational headache, it also brings a lot of joy in parallel.
When it’s a choice, it’s often an opportunity to rethink your lifestyle, adapt your rhythm to that of your baby and it allows you to see them grow and develop.
This enables a smoother and more gradual transition to a childcare mode, more gentle and progressive…
Sometimes in some families, it’s an opportunity to ask other questions and completely change life plans!
In short, you understand, having your child with you when you work is a little exercise in flexibility and organization, but what a happiness to be able to enjoy them daily! It’s worth more than gold.
