This is a great reminder to parents who work from home and have kids. Flexibility is the key. My kids are teenagers now, so it is a little easier because they understand what is going on (and they sleep late so I have lots of work time in mornings). But I do remember a couple of years ago having to do what you are talking about. It always took some adjusting to the lack of routine in the summer, but it always worked out.

I love your line about “I’m the super left doing the vising.”

I am going to pass your article on to other writers I know who are going through the same thing.

Happy Writing!
Kerrie

I’m just glad that as a freelancer I have the opportunity to make those choices myself rather than having them forced on me.

First, an excellent wife (or husband, I suppose) who understands that it’s there duty to be the primary caregiver during the day while you are “at work”. Although you are, in fact, home and available for emergencies and serious discipline issues should the need arise, you are considered otherwise indisposed by your family. Your wife should help enforce this concept to the children who may not understand it.

Second, it’s important to schedule time with the children and family during the times when all the other daddies are at work. Why not? You freelance for a reason right? And what better self-confirming action can you take than to silently snicker at all the cars parked at Big Corp while you take your children to the movie/park/pool etc. Those are the things they remember.

I don’t recommend making a habit of working in the evening (ahem! speaking to myself here) as it then leaves little room for you and your spouse to develop a regular time. It doesn’t have to be “date night” every night, but one (or both) of you sitting in front of the computer night after night is a little drab – and probably what neither of you imagined married life to be when you were picking out the cake.

So, to sum up…. make time with children when other father’s cant, keep at least 3-4 nights a week free for time with wife (even if it’s just watching TV or cleaning up dishes together), and don’t feel guilty about the 30+ hours away from children during the week. You are still with them more than most parents – and you’re giving yourself a chance to one day break into the big leagues so that you can even have more time with them.